Page 585 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

552 n WOMen’S heALTh

Thus, nursing research does not just include change than ever before. With this shift,
girls and women, rather nurses are looking many women, especially women of color, are
W–Z at experiences of women in heretofore under- interested in identifying lifestyle changes for
studied populations, for example, the diverse managing symptoms, reserving medication
cultures, the women of color, the elderly, the for severe symptoms and only if nonpharma-
rural and inner-city women, the poor, the cological methods for symptom management
lesbians, and the women with disabilities. are unsuccessful.
The resulting findings are fueling a move- nursing research is recognizing the
ment toward greater emphasis on the design importance of quality of life in the men-
of tailored interventions. opause transition and taking a fresh look
nurses are also at the forefront of rede- at what symptoms are experienced and
fining natural life events as normal and ask- which experienced symptoms are both-
ing women to identifying ways to manage ersome (Alexander et al., 2003, 2004). This
such events that work in the context of their work goes beyond national studies evaluat-
daily lives. Women of varied ethnic and ing menopause symptoms such as the Study
socioeconomic backgrounds are increas- of Women’s health Across the nation (Avis
ingly interested in actively self-managing et al., 2001; Gold et al., 2000). Several previ-
their own health issues (Alexander, 2010; ously unrecognized yet bothersome symp-
MacLauren & Woods, 2001) and using nat- toms were identified because the women
ural therapies such as complementary and themselves were asked to provide firsthand
alternative medicine instead of seeking accounts of their experiences instead of
traditional medical care (Brett & Keenan, responding to defined symptoms on a ques-
2007; Daley et al., 2006; Keenan et al., tionnaire (Alexander et al., 2003, 2004).
2003; newton, Buist, Keenan, Anderson, nurses are also asking women what
& LaCroix, 2002). Women have indicated strategies they are using to manage bother-
a high satisfaction in working with nurse some symptoms associated with the meno-
practitioners (Alexander, 2004) because of pause transition and what strategies they are
the nursing philosophy nurse practitioners willing and interested in trying for symp-
use of supporting a patient and working tom management. Women have identified
in a partnership with her to achieve mutu- creative self-management strategies such as
ally identified goals as opposed to directing diet changes and exercise, stress manage-
her care. ment practices, and biofeedback (Alexander
The menopause transition provides et al., 2003, 2004; MacLauren & Woods,
excellent examples of the work nurses are 2001). Complementary and alternative med-
doing to dismantle the medicalization of icine therapies such as acupuncture have
a natural life event. Menopause symptom been studied to identify efficacy in reducing
management had become highly medical- symptoms associated with the menopause
ized because symptoms associated with the transition (Cohen, Rousseau, & Carey, 2003).
menopause transition were seen as a “prob- Woman have been asked about their use of
lem” that required “fixing” by medicine. As botanicals, vitamin and mineral supple-
the medicalization of menopause is being ments, nonhormone prescription medica-
dismantled, women are reclaiming meno- tions, and homeopathy and how effective
pause as a normal life transition (Alexander, these therapies were (Kupferer, Dormire, &
Motter, Ruff, Rousseau, & White, 2005; Becker, 2009).
Alexander et al., 2003, 2004; Kaufert, Boggs, nursing focuses on providing care to
ettinger, Woods, & utian, 1998; MacPherson, women in an individualized manner. After
1981; Woods & Mitchell, 1999). More women the surprising results of the Women’s health
report that menopause is a normal life Initiative were revealed, which identified the