• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.257-270
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• 1996

Studies on menstruation have focused only on menstruation itself and menstrual disorders. The menstruating girls or women have been neglected. So, the purpose of this study was to understand menstrual experience of adolescent girls in their perspective and build a theory on it, The specific purpose of this study were to find initial reaction of the girls, their strategies to adapt to menstruation. consequences of their efforts, influencing factor, and patterns of experience. The subjects of this study were eleven adolescent girls who experienced menarche three months to twenty-six months before the interview time. They were selected purposively. Their ages were in range of twelve and sixteen. One of them was a elementary school girl, three high school girls, and seven middle school girls. Two girls were handicapped because of cerebral palsy. All of them had some knowledge about menstrual physiology and hygiene during menstruation. Data were collected from September, 1994 to July, 1995. Data collection ＆ analysis were done according to the grounded theory methodology by Strauss ＆ Corbin(1990). Data collecting method was the long interviews and observation. Each interview took from 1 hour to 2 hours. Interview were tape-recorded and transcribed later by author. Data were analyzed immediately after interviews. Based on the results of previous interview, next interview were planned until gathered data reached the saturation point. Results were as follows. One hundred and six concepts were found. Those concepts were grouped into twenty eight categories and then fourteen higher categories. Twenty eight categories were as follows. “want to hide”, “bewildered”, “sense of burden”, “sense of heterogeneity”. “gladness”. “sense of superiority”, “negative empathy”, “positive empathy”, “limited hygenic control”, “sense of timing”, “lack of knowledge”, “lack of support”, “advance knowledge”, “informational support”, “emotional support”, “endurance”, “prayer”, “disclosing”, “avoidance”, “diversion”, “sense of powerlessness”, “discovery of sex identity”, “sense of maturation”, “sense of stability”, “acceptance of menstruation ”. fourteen higher categories were as follows. “negative feeling”, “posive feeling”, “exchange of feeling”, “limited hygenic control”, “sense of timing”, “accumulated experience”, “dysmenorrhea”, “level of knowledge”, “need for support”, “perceived support”, “sharing of feeling”, “self-control”, “passive acceptance”, “active acceptance”. The core category was “emotional shaking”, which consisted of “positive feeling” and “negative feeling”. “Emotional shaking”comes up to every adolescent girls experiencing menarche, independently of any contextual conditions, and its dimension has two directions : positive one and negative one. Its influencing factors were time of menarche, advance knowledge, support from the significant persons, expression and self-regulation. Even if they showed different process of adaptation to menstruation, general process of adaptation were as follows : 1. stage of emotional shaking 2. stage of acceptance 3. stage of internalization of the menstrual experience. Seven patterns existed on the process of adaptation to menstruation after menarche. Those are as follows. 1. If girls thought their menarche came too early and they had not much knowledge on menstruation, they had a kind of negative feeling. If they did not get enough support and dysmenorrhea superimposed, they came to accept menstruation passively. 2. If girls had menarche too early. they had negative feeling, even though they had enough advance knowledge. But support helped them accept menstruation easily. 3. If girls had menarche too early, they had negative feeling, even though they had enough advance knowledge on menstruation. But by experiencing subsequent menstruations and disclosing feeling, they began to accept menstruation. 4. If girls had menarche too lately and they had enough advance knowledge on menstruation. they had positive feeling. If dysmenorrhea superimposed later, their feeling turned in to negative one. But they came to accept menstruation positively by disclosing feeling and getting support. 5. If girls had menarche too early, they had negative feeling, even though they had enough advance knowledge on menstruation. In addition to this. if dysmenorrhes superimposed while they did not get enough support, they felt powerless and came to accept menstruation passively. 6. If girls had menarche too early and did not get enough advance knowledge, they had negative feeling. But disclosing feeling and support made them get sense of homogeneity and began to accept menstruation. 7. If girls had handicap, they had negative feeling, even though they had enough advance knowledge and menarche was late. But Menarche made them get feel sexual identity. Their limited hygenic control and negative empathy from their mothers made them accept menstruation passively. To let adolescent girls take their menstrual experience as a part of their lives forming a positive sense of feminine identity, it needs qualified teaching and, support and deep concern of the significant others. Nurses including school nurses should try to develop an educational program, which include menstrual physiology. hygiene during menstrual period, meaning of menstruation and impact of menstruation on the development of female sexual identity.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2003

This study is an attempt to provide fundamental information on how to manage menstruation discomforts by surveying the subjective viewpoint s on menstruation from female college students. Utilizing 40 Q-samples in Seoul between May 1 and June 30, 2001, data has been collected from 30 randomized P-samples. Data analysis involves the PC QUANL Program, Q-factor analysis, and Principal Component Analysis. The result of the data analysis gives four types of categorizat ion as follows : The first is the "inconvenience-recognizing" type that includes 10 subjects out of 30. During menstruation, this type of subject usually complained of physical discomfort such as pain in the lower back and abdomen. Even though they considered menstruation to be troublesome, they did nothing about the in convenience. The second is the "positively-accepting" type that includes 7 subjects out of 30. This type of subject takes menstruation as natural and even a privilege for a woman. They think they are blessed to conceive a new life through their biological cycle. Therefore unlike other types, they rarely complained of any physical and psychological discomfort caused by menstruation. The third is the "destined course" type that includes 6 subjects out of 30. This type of subject endures the discomfort caused by menstruation with out any medication or medical treatment. They appeared to take menstruation a s fate without having any specially negative or positive attitude. The fourth is the "negatively-accepting" type that includes 7 out 30. This type of subject takes menstruation as negative, even if it is unavoidable for a woman. Menstruation, very negatively taken, felt uncomfortable and caused them to have pain in the lower back and abdomen and an oversensitive nervous system. The four types of attitude towards menstruation show their own characteristic features in dealing with menstruation. Understanding these features in detail will enhance nursing implementation which is related to menstruation. This study is intended to provide fundamental information with which nurses can deal with menstruation problems by investigating subjective viewpoints about menstruation. This study is a stepping stone on which further study on this subject can build to develop an effective and efficient way to deal with menstruation discomforts.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.148-155
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was to provide preliminary data for menstrual education and research for the early adolescents. Methods: Participants were 320 middle school students in Gangreung city. Data collection was done from May 1 to May 30, 2004 by self administered questionnaires. Results: In recollecting of menarche experiences, students felt more negative (happy 18.5%, confused 72.6%, embarrassed 82.2%, angry 38.1%, proud 26.2%, excited 15.6%, surprised 54.7%). For menarche preparation, there was a low level of explanations & knowledge of menstruation, and preparedness for menarche. Key informants regarding menstruation experiences were the mother and school teacher. The mean age of menarche was 12.3years old. 66.6% had premenstrual symptoms, and the mean score of VAS for dysmennorrhea was 4.50. Significant variables related to the VAS score were embarrassed of menarche experience(F=3.38, p=.019), preparedness for menarche(F=2.86, p=.038), and premenstrual symptoms(t=63.36, p.000), Conclusion: Preparation for a positive menarche experience prior to menarche is necessary. More active menstrual education should be given for early adolescents in the school and family setting. Replication studies in other regions and developing a menstrual education program is recommended. Systematic examinations of perimenstrual discomforts for early adolescents should be followed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.263-280
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to present basic data to be used in the development of a sexual education program to create an affirmative sexual egoism. We classified the types of subjectivities and revelation attitudes of menstrual experience in 5th and 6th elementary school girls. The analytic method of data was a "Q-method" (William Stephenson). The results of this study classified four-types. The first type is an "open type". Girls of this type accepted menstrual experience as neither disease nor an embarrassment but as an important and natural course for a woman. The second type is the "concealing type". Girls of this type keep silent and conceal menstruation from persons because they consider it shameful or disgrace. The third type is the "conceited type". Girls of this type think that menstruation is painful-but only for them. Also, they accept such pains being 'grown-up'. The fourth type is the "tomboy type". Girls of this type want to be an eternal child; they hate being born a woman and think menstruation is troublesome. As a result of this research, we have concluded that it is necessary to educate girl students before they experience menstruation in order to develop positive attitudes towards sexuality and in so doing, aid them through adolescence.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.302-311
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to attitudes to menstruation in elementary school girls according to menarche experience. Methods: Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 208 girls in 5th or 6th grade (90 who were menarche and 118 who were not). The study was a cross-sectional study. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 18.0 program for descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. Results: There were significant differences in body image, menstrual knowledge and attitude between the two groups of students. Results from the multiple regression analysis revealed difference in related factors and in the magnitude of the relationship evaluated by standardized beta coefficients. Significant factors, listed by the magnitude of beta coefficients, among students in menarche were positive affect of menarche, self-oriented perfectionism-critical, negative affect of menarche. Significant factors among non-menarche students were menstrual knowledge and self-oriented perfectionism-critical. Conclusion: There are differences between menarche and non-menarche girls in attitude to menstruation and related factors. Based on the results of the present study, systemic health education according to differences between the two groups should be developed to foster positive attitudes to menstruation.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 1971

The conclusions were obtained from the detailed survey of 1,285 students experiencing menstruation, who were chosen among 1,717 students in middle & high school girls in Seoul. The survey was conducted during July 20-July 24, 1971. 1. Age of Menarche An average age of menarche was 13.3$\pm$1.07. The earliest age of menarche was 9 and the latest age 18. Ages of menarche were between 12 and 14 in 84.3 percent of the students surveyed. a. By present age distribution, the aged students were lower, than younger students in the average age of menarche. b. By father′s educational levels, among the students whose fathers were graduated from high schools, college & ever the earliest average age of menarche was found with 13.2, and among the students whose fathers were graduated from primary schools that wag latest with 13.6. c. By father′s occupations, among the students whose fathom engaged in "workers not classifiable"the earliest age of menarche was found with 12.5$\pm$0.27, among the students whose fathers were in "service business"the second was 12.9$\pm$1.07, and among the students whose fathers were in "miners, quarrymen and related workers"that was latest with 13.8$\pm$1.14. d. By economic status, among the students of "wealthy"families the age of menarche was 13.1$\pm$0.25, the among the students of "ordinary"families the lags of menarche 13.3$\pm$1.06. and the among the students of "poor" families that was 13.8$\pm$0.31. e. By home discipline, among the students being treated "rigid" the age of menarche was 13.5$\pm$1.13, among the students being treated "moderate"the age of menarche was 13.3$\pm$0.22, and those being treated "indifferent" that was 13.0$\pm$0.26. f. By students physical condition, among the students of "good" condition the average of menarche was 13.3$\pm$0.16, and among the students "poor" that was 13.5$\pm$0.31. 2. Menstruation a. For the six months after the average of menarche 39.0 percent of the students had normal menstruations, and 61.3 percent of them had abnormal ones. Of the students with abnormal menstruation 21.7 percent had abnormal menstruation from time to time, 25.4 percent had no menstruation for one month to three months, 7.2 percent had menstruation for four to six months and 6.7 per cent had no menstruation for more than sin months. Most students became to have normal menstruations a few months later the age of menarche. b. At the time interviewed, the percentile of cycle of menstruation as following: 23 days types: 46.8 percent 30 days types: 40.6 percent others : 12.6 percent The average cycle of menstruation was every 28.9 days. c. The average duration of menstruation is 4.69 days. d. The subjective symptoms during menstruation period: Out of the total 89.7 per cent had some pains, while 10.3 percent had no symptom. Among the symptoms, abdominal pain occupied 29.9 percent, neurotic symptoms 19.0 percent and lumbago 15.1 percent. e. By attitude or Action at first physical change, "Treated it by own experience" : 30.0 percent "Don′t know what to do because of ignorance" : 20.1 percent "Asked others about it" : 43.0 percent

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.202-218
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• 2006

Purpose : Because girls at puberty· are lack in sex ability, temporary menstruation disorder can be occured. This disorder is considered that will be disappeared as growing, so people used to leave the disease untreated and just watched. But clinically I frequently experience not to disappear. So I have carried out this study to investigate the actual condition of young girls's menstrual disorders. Methods : I researched 440 high school girls in Pusan by Menstruation Diary which I made about menstrual cycle, duration, amount and pain. The results were managed by the ststistics. Results :1. Menstrual cycle 1) In disorder of menstrual cycle, persons who have Bate menstruation are more than persons who have premature menstruation. 2) Persons who have normal menstrual cycle are in 124 persons(28.51%), the others who have severe premature menstruation or late menstruation more than one time for 4-7 months are in 311 Persons.(71.49%) 2. Menstrual duration and amount 1) Persons who have normal menstrual amount we in 66-89%, hypermenorrhea is in 1-11%, hypomenorrhea is in 5-21%. 2) In the study of menstrual duration, persons more than one thirds are irregular in thier menstrual amount every menstruation. 3) In the study of MMQ, persons who are irregular in thier menstrual amount every menstruation are in 125persons.(29.76%) 3. Menstrual pain 1) Persons who have slight menstrual pain are in 289 persons(65.98%), the middle is in 86 persons(19.63%) the severe is in 34 persons(7.76%) by MMP. 2) Persons who are irregular in thier menstrual pain every menstruation are in 145 persons.(33.11%) Conclusion : In menstrual cycle, there are more persons who have irregular menstrual cycle than normal.(71.49%) In menstrual duration and amount, more persons have normal menstrual amount.(66-89%) In menstrual pain, persons who have slight menstrual pain are the most.(65.98%)

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.222-243
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to develop concrete and in-depth knowledge about menarche and to raise the need of menstrual education. The data were collected from purposively sample 34 women from twenties to forties from April 27 to October 10, 1994. Semi-structured intensive interviews were done and these qualitative data were analysed with "Ethnograph" computer program. The results of the study were as follows : 1. The experience of menarche could be classified into two main groups, which were positive and negative response to menarche. The negative experiences were to be shameful, tearful, scared of the phenomena and thought as a kind of punishment for guilt or confused menarche with other symptoms of diseases. On the contrary, the positive experiences were to be proud of physical maturity and to think that is was wonderful, miraculous and to perceive it as a warm experience. 2. The experience of menarche was influenced by various factors. They were the knowledge about menstruation, the quality and amount of informations, the time of menarche, the environmental factors, the response of significant others toward menarche. The experience of menarche could be positive or negative according to these factors. 3. The previous information sources about menstruation could be significant others, school education and mass-media. The significant others were mothers, sisters, friends and the person in charge of school sex education such as school nurses, home economics, military drill and athletics of teachers. And mass-media included sex education booklets, nursery tales, TV programs, and publicity activities of sanitary napkin companies. 4. The opinions of the subjects about the proper time of menarcheal education could be grossly classified into two groups. The first was active approach toward children when they were in elementary school. The second was passive approach which postponed the time until the child ask about it, because it would be awkward for them to discuss about the topic. 5. The participants thought that the ideal methods of menarche education would be systematic school education programs, open discussion with daughters, audio-visual teachings, or practical education in everyday life. 6. The contents of the menarche education based on the participants' opinions, would be positive details about meanings and functions of menstruation. And it would be desirable if the attitudes of the person in charge of education could be positive, open-hearted, and favorable toward menstruation.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2014

Menstruation being an inevitable phenomenon for every women, reducing the discomfort during the menstruation period is one of the important issues for women's well-being. This study was conducted through user evaluations on disposable pads and reusable pads to comprehend the discomfort factors of the sanitary pads and to provide basic information for improvement. Negative symptoms of the reponses on menstruation outnumbered the positive aspects, and the results suggested that menstruation period was perceived as a painful experience to women. There were difference between the negative and positive responses regarding the designs, functions, fittings, wearing sensations. and disposabilities of disposable pads and reusable pads. While disposable pads had the strength of convenient use, it had the weakness of wearing sensation, and while reusable pads had the strength of wearing sensation, it had the weakness of inconvenient keeping. When designs reflecting these results are made, it is expected to bring a synergy effect by bringing both a more pleasant menstruation period for the consumers and eventual profit to the manufacturers.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.259-266
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• 2018

Purpose: This study is to investigate the pattern of discomfort, coping style and relief level of female workers. Methods: The subjects were 394 women who worked at three general hospitals located in S city and agreed to the purpose of this study. Data were collected April 20~30, 2010, and one-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation were performed using descriptive statistics using SAS 9.2. Results: showed that discomfort during menstruation was significantly different from age, marital status, pregnancy experience, and birth experience. The average degree of discomfort during menstruation was $2.46{\pm}0.68$, which was the average of 5, and the pattern was pain, water accumulation and behavior change. The degree of mitigation according to coping strategies was the most effective at $3.55{\pm}0.58$, and the relationship between coping behavior and discomfort during menstruation was correlated only with avoidant coping. p = .001). Conclusion: In order to mitigate the inconvenience of menstruation, women should seek to cope with their own coping strategies rather than passive coping methods and suggest the development of an educational program that can relieve the discomfort during menstruation.