Abstract
Introduction: Menarche is a significant physiological and psychological event that typically occurs between the ages of 10 and 16. It is regarded as a pivotal milestone in female reproductive development and serves as a crucial marker of health status. The present study was undertaken to investigate the menarche experience among Iranian adolescent females.
Methods: This qualitative study employed conventional content analysis and was conducted in 2022 in Neyshabur, Iran. Eighteen adolescent girls were invited through purposive sampling, with data collected via in-depth, semi-structured interviews.
Results: The analysis yielded two primary categories of menarche experiences: Negative experiences (including fear, restricted autonomy, feelings of uncleanliness, lack of awareness, embarrassment, concealment of menarche, hiding menarche, sorrow, and physical symptoms) and Positive experiences, characterized by family support and previous training.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the varied experiences of adolescent girls regarding menarche, underscoring the need for early puberty education and preparation for menstruation. Additionally, family support emerged as a key factor in fostering a positive attitude toward menstruation.