Description
In this project, we explore how women with migration experience perceive and manage menopause and what support they receive, as well as how the healthcare system responds to their needs.
Background and Aim
Menopause is a natural transitional phase involving hormonal changes that may cause physical, psychological, and cognitive symptoms. These can affect quality of life, work, and long-term health. Although many women experience significant symptoms, knowledge, support, and access to care are unevenly distributed—both globally and in Sweden. International research shows that differences are often linked to socioeconomic factors, education, and the organisation of healthcare. In Sweden, women also report insufficient information, varying encounters with healthcare providers, and inequitable access to high-quality menopause care.
People with migration experience report poorer self-rated health and higher levels of reproductive and mental ill-health compared with women born in Sweden. Despite this, there is limited research on how migrant women experience menopause, seek healthcare, and receive support. Managing menopausal symptoms while simultaneously adapting to a new society can be challenging. Language barriers, limited social networks, lack of knowledge about the healthcare system, and experiences of discrimination can further hinder access to appropriate care.
This project aims to understand how women with migration experience perceive, manage, and receive support during menopause—and how healthcare services respond to their needs. Health literacy is used as a theoretical framework to illuminate both individual abilities to access and use health information and organisational capacity to provide accessible care.
Included studies
The project uses qualitative and quantitative methods to explore how women with migration experience perceive and manage menopause; what resources, needs, and barriers exist within both informal networks and healthcare contacts; and how healthcare professionals provide menopause counselling and support. Additionally, the project investigates organisational factors that influence the ability to offer equitable, accessible, and person-centred menopause care in a multicultural society.
The project consists of four sub-studies:
- A qualitative interview study on women’s experiences and strategies for managing symptoms.
- A qualitative interview study on needs, support, and barriers in interactions with both informal and formal support structures.
- A survey study with healthcare professionals on menopause counselling, training, and their ability to adapt care.
- Focus groups with healthcare professionals on organisational factors influencing equitable and person-centred care.
Co‑creation
A central component is a co‑creation group that contributes with their perspectives throughout the project. The project aims to promote more equitable, inclusive, and person-centred menopause care in Sweden and to strengthen women’s health across the life course.
About us
The project is a doctoral project in collaboration between Dalarna University and researchers at Region Värmland and Karolinska Institutet, with financial support from the Kamprad Family Foundation. Ulrika Byrskog is the project lead, the doctoral student is Anna Olsson, and co‑researchers are Eva Elvin, Helene Wadensjö, and Elin Ternström.
Our co‑creation group includes women with diverse migration backgrounds, and professionals from different fields: midwifery, nursing, general medical practice, gynaecology, and adult education.