Premature menopause symptoms following cancer treatment: a systematic review, synthesis and qualitative investigation of lived experiences when choosing not to undergo cancer treatment

Clarke, Angela (2022) Premature menopause symptoms following cancer treatment: a systematic review, synthesis and qualitative investigation of lived experiences when choosing not to undergo cancer treatment. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Background and Aims: Premature menopause occurs spontaneously or following medical treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or after surgical removal of the ovaries. Symptoms of premature menopause can be distressing and impact quality of life. The review aimed to synthesise and appraise findings of women’s experiences of premature menopause symptoms following cancer treatment and to what extent they have felt prepared and supported. Method: A thematic synthesis was conducted across eleven articles reporting on nine studies. Results: Three overarching analytical themes were identified weaved through a lens of implicit gender bias; 1) women perceived a lack of information and healthcare-related support and felt unprepared for premature menopause symptoms; 2) premature menopause symptoms were perceived as either not being fully addressed, attributed to something else, or minimised; 3) premature menopause was found to be associated with perceptions of accelerated ageing, physical decline, loss of womanhood, sexuality desirability and sexual identity impacting on sexual and psychological health. Conclusions: Overall, findings report premature menopause symptoms following cancer treatment as a distressing and often physical and emotionally painful experience impacting quality of life, further compounded by disparities in women’s healthcare, inadequate information, support, understanding, and preparation that requires urgent review by health care providers.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Qualitative, thematic synthesis, lived experience, premature menopause, cancer treatment.
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Supervisor's Name: White, Dr. Naomi
• Date of Award: 2022
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2022-83276
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 23 Nov 2022 09:45
• Last Modified: 13 Dec 2022 12:29
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.83276
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/83276