This study explored six women’s experiences of primary dysmenorrhoea using semi-structured interviews analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Rather than focusing on pain, participants broadened the study focus to coping with the menstrual process as a whole. This was seen to be mediated by menstrual taboos and by the theme of ‘order’, arising from a strong feeling of a menstrual timetable and the need for rational explanation. Another theme was pain as a separate entity, which was connected to the theme of order. Placing dysmenorrhoea in its context may be useful for health-care professionals treating women with the condition.
BrockiJMWeardenAJ (2006) A critical evaluation of the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) in health psychology. Psychology & Health21: 87–108.
2.
CastleKImmsCHowieL (2007) Being in pain: A phenomenological study of young people with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology49: 445–449.
3.
CohenJ (1977) Reproduction. London: Butterworths.
4.
HarelZ (2002) A contemporary approach to dysmenorrhea in adolescents. Paediatric Drugs4: 797–805.
5.
JurgensJJPowersBA (1991) An exploratory study of the menstrual euphemisms, beliefs and taboos of head start mothers. In: TaylorDLWoodsNF (eds) Menstruation, Health and Illness. New York: Hemisphere, pp. 35–40.
6.
KaramanidouCWeinmanJHorneR (2013) A qualitative study of treatment burden among haemodialysis recipients. Journal of Health Psychology. Epub ahead of print 7March. DOI: 10.1177/1359105313475898.
7.
KowalskiRMChappleT (2000) The social stigma of menstruation. Psychology of Women Quarterly24: 74–80.
8.
LatthePLattheMSayL. (2006a) WHO systematic review of prevalence of chronic pelvic pain: A neglected reproductive health morbidity. BMC Public Health6: 177.
9.
LatthePMigniniLGrayR. (2006b) Factors predisposing women to chronic pelvic pain: Systematic review. British Medical Journal332: 749–755.
10.
MelzackRWallPD (1965) Pain mechanisms – A new theory. Science150: 971–979.
11.
OsbornMSmithJA (1998) The personal experience of chronic benign lower back pain: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. British Journal of Health Psychology3: 65–83.
12.
PhillipsEElanderJMontagueJ (2013) Managing multiple goals during fertility treatment: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Journal of Health Psychology. Epub ahead of print 15February. DOI: 10.1177/1359105312474915.
13.
ScarryE (1985) The Body in Pain: The Making and Unmaking of the World. New York: Oxford University Press.
14.
SmithAAJarmanJOsbornM (1999) Doing interpretative phenomenological analysis. In: MurrayMChamberlainK (eds) Qualitative Health Psychology: Theories and Methods. London: SAGE, pp. 218–240.
15.
SmithJA (1995) Semi-structured interviewing and qualitative analysis. In: SmithJAHarreRVon LangengroveL (eds) Rethinking Methods in Psychology. London: SAGE, pp. 9–26.
16.
SmithJA (1996) Beyond the divide between cognition and discourse: Using interpretative phenomenological analysis in health psychology. Psychology & Health11: 261–271.
17.
SmithJAOsbornM (2007) Pain as an assault on the self: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the psychological impact of chronic benign low back pain. Psychology & Health22: 517–534.
18.
SnelgroveSLiossiC (2009) An interpretative phenomenological analysis of living with chronic low back pain. British Journal of Health Psychology14: 735–749.
19.
WarringtonCSCoxDJEvansWS (1988) Dysmenorrhoea. In: BlechmanEABrownellKD (eds) Handbook of Behavioural Medicine for Women. New York: Pergamon, 70–79.
20.
WhiteheadWEBuschCMHellerBR. (1986) Social learning influences on menstrual symptoms and illness behavior. Health Psychology5: 13–23.
ZondervanKTYudkinPLVesseyMP. (1998) The prevalence of chronic pelvic pain in women in the United Kingdom: A systematic review. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology105: 93–99.
