Experiences of menstrual health in the Nordic countries: a scoping review of qualitative research, applying an intersectional lens.

Abstract

Achieving menstrual health is fundamental to gender equality, human rights, and the well-being of all people who menstruate. We undertook a scoping review to map the extent and range of qualitative studies on menstrual health in the Nordic countries and applied an intersectional lens in reporting the findings. The specific research questions we aimed to answer were (1) what types of menstrual health experiences were researched, (2) whose experiences and voices were being researched, and (3) what gaps exist in understanding the experiences and challenges encountered by diverse groups. Four databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published between 2011 and 2023. Searches yielded 2733, and 22 articles met our inclusion criteria. Included studies were undertaken in Denmark (n = 5), Iceland (n = 1), Norway (n = 3), and Sweden (n = 13). The samples included menstruating people, healthcare professionals, and/or other professionals. Most of the included studies reported on menstrual experiences related to menstrual pain and disorders such as endometriosis. Studies focusing on understanding menstrual health experiences among people in vulnerable situations in the Nordic countries are lacking. We found that menstrual health experiences of menstruating people with the following identities were under-researched: people with disabilities, non-Nordic ethnicities, refugees, gender-diverse people, people experiencing homelessness, and young adolescents. The findings suggest that we have little knowledge and understanding of the experiences and challenges that might be faced by these groups in the Nordic countries. Findings of this scoping review can be used to inform future research directions and policy programming.