When Menstrual Pain Becomes Care-Worthy: A Qualitative Study of Delayed Care-Seeking Among Young Women With Function-Limiting Dysmenorrhoea in Southwest China.
- 1Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China.
- 2The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.
- 3Guizhou Nursing Vocational College, Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou, China.
Abstract
Background
Dysmenorrhoea can disrupt education, work, sleep, mobility and other daily activities, yet recurrent pain that limits daily functioning does not always prompt timely formal care-seeking.Objective
The aim of this study was to explore how young women in Southwest China interpret recurrent function-limiting dysmenorrhoea and decide whether to seek formal care.Methods
This qualitative study was based in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, Southwest China. Seventeen women aged 18-31 years with recurrent dysmenorrhoea affecting daily functioning took part in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted face-to-face or online, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results
Five themes were developed: making pain ordinary across family, peers and clinics; keeping pain within the logic of warmth and regulation; when pain becomes care-worthy: functional disruption as a threshold; reproductive expectations and delayed medicalisation; and normal tests, uncertain explanations and delayed re-entry into care. Care-seeking was often delayed as participants normalised menstrual pain, relied on culturally familiar warming or body-regulating practices, had concerns about analgesics or expected pain to improve after childbirth. Non-specific clinical explanations could also temporarily reassure participants and contribute to delay. Participants described seeking formal care when pain disrupted study, work, sleep, mobility or daily activities, when medication or self-management no longer worked, or when reproductive or gynaecological concerns emerged.Conclusions
Delayed care-seeking was shaped by whether menstrual pain became recognised as a legitimate reason for formal care. Menstrual health education and clinical communication should validate function-limiting pain, clarify when assessment is needed and provide clear follow-up guidance.Patient or public contribution
Four women with lived experience of function-limiting dysmenorrhoea helped develop parts of the interview guide. Their feedback during pilot interviews led to additional questions about healthcare access and practical barriers to seeking care. They also supported recruitment and contributed to discussions of interview accounts and developing themes.
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BibTeX
@article{zhu2026when,
title = {{When Menstrual Pain Becomes Care-Worthy: A Qualitative Study of Delayed Care-Seeking Among Young Women With Function-Limiting Dysmenorrhoea in Southwest China.}},
author = {Qingqing Zhu and Bentao Jia and Qi Yu and Mingqiang Wang and Wei Xie and Ling Qi and Hongbo Chen and Min Wang and Xiping Li},
journal = {Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1111/hex.70930},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924905},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - When Menstrual Pain Becomes Care-Worthy: A Qualitative Study of Delayed Care-Seeking Among Young Women With Function-Limiting Dysmenorrhoea in Southwest China.
AU - Qingqing Zhu
AU - Bentao Jia
AU - Qi Yu
AU - Mingqiang Wang
AU - Wei Xie
AU - Ling Qi
AU - Hongbo Chen
AU - Min Wang
AU - Xiping Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy
DO - 10.1111/hex.70930
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924905
AB - Background Dysmenorrhoea can disrupt education, work, sleep, mobility and other daily activities, yet recurrent pain that limits daily functioning does not always prompt timely formal care-seeking.Objective The aim of this study was to explore how young women in Southwest China interpret recurrent function-limiting dysmenorrhoea and decide whether to seek formal care.Methods This qualitative study was based in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, Southwest China. Seventeen women aged 18-31 years with recurrent dysmenorrhoea affecting daily functioning took part in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted face-to-face or online, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results Five themes were developed: making pain ordinary across family, peers and clinics; keeping pain within the logic of warmth and regulation; when pain becomes care-worthy: functional disruption as a threshold; reproductive expectations and delayed medicalisation; and normal tests, uncertain explanations and delayed re-entry into care. Care-seeking was often delayed as participants normalised menstrual pain, relied on culturally familiar warming or body-regulating practices, had concerns about analgesics or expected pain to improve after childbirth. Non-specific clinical explanations could also temporarily reassure participants and contribute to delay. Participants described seeking formal care when pain disrupted study, work, sleep, mobility or daily activities, when medication or self-management no longer worked, or when reproductive or gynaecological concerns emerged.Conclusions Delayed care-seeking was shaped by whether menstrual pain became recognised as a legitimate reason for formal care. Menstrual health education and clinical communication should validate function-limiting pain, clarify when assessment is needed and provide clear follow-up guidance.Patient or public contribution Four women with lived experience of function-limiting dysmenorrhoea helped develop parts of the interview guide. Their feedback during pilot interviews led to additional questions about healthcare access and practical barriers to seeking care. They also supported recruitment and contributed to discussions of interview accounts and developing themes.
SN - 1369-6513
SN - 1369-7625
ER -