Menopause research studies through passage of time: Shifting from biomedical to holistic approaches

Studies performed related to menopause through passage of time have been very different in terms of approaches and theoretical perspectives of research. Getting familiarize with these various research could be useful for planning evidence based care programs. This review was conducted with aim to examine the evolution process in different research approaches about the issues related to menopause.

In this review article، 60 related articles related to menopause were searched from the databases including Science Direct، Scopus، PubMed، Google Scholar، Magiran and SID until 2 May 2015 using keywords of “menopause”، “transition period”، “post-menopause”، “bio-medical paradigm”، “psycho-social approach”، and”naturalistic paradigm”. These articles were examined closely in terms of their adopted research approach and were arranged and then compared based on allegiance with three biomedical، psycho-social or naturalistic paradigm in comparative tables.

Bio-medical approach see menopause as the decrease in the estrogen level and disease and try to treat it. Psycho-social approach seek to find other interpretation than decreased level of estrogen such as the empty nest syndrome to explain the menopause. Naturalistic perspective tries to discover women’s perceptions، experiences and feelings using their own words.

Recognition of three research paradigms and using their results could provide a holistic perspective، which could be useful for health policy makers in planning comprehensive interventions and to achieve the goals of evidence-based practice in phase of menopause.