Women's Experiences Coping with Menopause: The Role of Digital Literacy

Aim:This qualitative study aimed to provide how women access, evaluate, and use digital information to cope with menopause, with a particular focus on the role of digital literacy.Method:The study was conducted using a qualitative descriptive research design.The data were collected through individual interviews with 25 women in the menopausal period in Türkiye using snowball sampling. A semi-structured interview form was used during the interviews, and the data obtained were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results:Four main themes were identified: 1) menopause experience, 2) coping strategies, 3) digital literacy status, and 4) coping with menopause through digital literacy. Women described menopause as either a natural life transition or as a period associated with loss or illness. Coping strategies included traditional practices, medical support, and social support. Women reported actively seeking menopause-related information in digital environments, particularly when symptoms affected daily life. Most women stated that they benefited from social media posts shared by others experiencing similar situations. However, many women described difficulties in evaluating the accuracy and reliability of information obtained from digital sourcesConclusion:The findings suggest that digital literacy may shape how women experience and cope with menopause, highlighting the relevance of women’s digital literacy status during the menopausal period. Primary healthcare professionals can support women’s access to accurate and reliable online health information related to menopause. In addition, a multi-stakeholder approach is recommended to enhance digital literacy among women.