Constructing perimenopause : a discursive analysis of diverse women’s talk about menstrual tracking apps in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand

Abstract

Background: This thesis explored how perimenopause was constructed by diverse women in their talk about menstrual tracking apps (MTAs) in an Aotearoa/New Zealand context, and how these digital technologies shaped their experiences. Despite growing public attention on midlife experiences, perimenopause remains under-researched and is dominantly framed through reductionist biomedical frameworks. In addition, the use of MTAs to monitor, track, manage, and interpret our bodies has substantially increased. This raises important questions regarding how MTAs intersect with the socially constructed experiences of perimenopause. Method: Adopting a qualitative, participatory approach, this study utilised cooperative inquiry methodology to position participants as active contributors to knowledge production. Twenty four perimenopausal women came together over several weeks to discuss their use of MTAs and engage in reflective activities. Data were analysed using a Foucauldian discourse analysis (FDA), attending to how language constructs meanings of perimenopause and shapes positionality. Results: The five main intersecting discourses that participants drew on were labelled the biomedical, natural, neoliberal, ‘forever young’, and taboo discourses. MTAs were found to reinforce and reproduce these discourses, shaping the participants’ experiences. Participants drew on the biomedical discourse to construct perimenopause as a medical condition, involving symptoms, medical interactions, hormones, and treatment. The natural discourse framed perimenopause as a normal stage of aging. The neoliberal discourse constructed perimenopause as a self-managed experience, positioning perimenopausal women as personally responsible for monitoring, optimising and improving their bodies. Additionally, the ‘forever young’ discourse framed perimenopause as a loss of femininity, youth, and reproductive functioning, while the taboo discourse contributed to the silencing of perimenopausal women. Conclusion: This study contributed to the existing literature by demonstrating that perimenopause cannot be reduced to a simple biological experience but is a complex, socially constructed experience. Additionally, this study showed that MTAs are not a neutral tool but actively shape how perimenopause is understood and experienced. It highlighted the importance of understanding the intersection of midlife experiences and digital technologies. The findings have implications for MTA use and women’s health, highlighting the need for further research with diverse and marginalised identities and different cultural contexts to better support women’s experiences, health, and wellbeing.