NDLI: Exploring Turkish women’s gynecological examination perceptions based on their metaphors: a qualitative study

Content Provider	Springer Nature : BioMed Central
Author	Cambaz Ulaş, Seval İldan Çalim, Selda Çetinkaya, Aynur
Abstract	Background During the gynecological examination, women especially feel uncomfortable with the lithotomy position and experience shame and anxiety. This study aims to explore metaphors used by women who have experienced gynecological examinations. Methods This study is qualitative and phenomenological. The study group consisted of 90 women. Data were collected online using a data form in May-June 2021. It consisted of the sociodemographic characteristics of women and their metaphorical perceptions of gynecological examination. Data were analyzed and interpreted using a metaphorical analytical method inspired by Kochis and Gillespie. Metaphoric linguistic expressions, sequences, words, and sentences related to each other, were highlighted. The Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research (COREQ) checklist was used in the study report. Results The average age of the women was 37.29 ± 10.14, and 73.0% were high school graduates. Three different conceptual categories were created by associating each metaphor image with a certain theme concerning women’s perspective on gynecological examination. The characteristics compiled during the category development phase were used to collect 24 metaphors under a specific category. The metaphor revealed that the process, instrument (examination table), and affective aspects of the gynecological examination are in interaction. In this study was found that the main metaphor image for the gynecological table was a “fork,” the gynecological examination brought to mind “the pregnancy” because of the reason for the procedure, and most of the women used the metaphors of “ache/pain” for their gynecological examination experience. Conclusions The metaphors used for the gynecological examination expressions suggested that women’s experiences were negative. Such metaphors may reflect physical and emotional discomfort experienced during the examination. Health professionals’ understanding of these negative perceptions and their empathy may facilitate positive experiences for women and the detection and treatment of health problems.
Related Links	https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s12905-025-03621-6.pdf
Ending Page	8
Page Count	8
Starting Page	1
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	14726874
DOI	10.1186/s12905-025-03621-6
Journal	BMC Women's Health
Issue Number	1
Volume Number	25
Language	English
Publisher	BioMed Central
Publisher Date	2025-03-04
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Gynecology Maternal and Child Health Reproductive Medicine Gynecological examination Metaphor Pain Worry Shame
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive Medicine
Journal Impact Factor	2.4/2023
5-Year Journal Impact Factor	2.9/2023

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

Correction to: Exploring the differences between men’s and women’s perceptions of gender-based violence in rural Tajikistan: a qualitative study

Impact of endometriosis on women’s lives: a qualitative study

Women's experiences of VBAC in Cyprus: a qualitative study

Exploring Iranian women’s perceptions and experiences regarding cervical cancer-preventive behaviors

Exploring the differences between men’s and women’s perceptions of gender-based violence in rural Tajikistan: a qualitative study

Korean women’s perceptions of traumatic childbirth: a qualitative descriptive study

What women say about their dysmenorrhea: a qualitative thematic analysis

Women’s perceptions of cardiovascular risk after preeclampsia: a qualitative study

Exploring women’s sexual and reproductive health needs in Zabol’s suburbs, Iran: a qualitative study

Exploring Turkish women’s gynecological examination perceptions based on their metaphors: a qualitative study

Similar Documents

Correction to: Exploring the differences between men’s and women’s perceptions of gender-based violence in rural Tajikistan: a qualitative study

Impact of endometriosis on women’s lives: a qualitative study

Women's experiences of VBAC in Cyprus: a qualitative study

Exploring Iranian women’s perceptions and experiences regarding cervical cancer-preventive behaviors

Exploring the differences between men’s and women’s perceptions of gender-based violence in rural Tajikistan: a qualitative study

Korean women’s perceptions of traumatic childbirth: a qualitative descriptive study

What women say about their dysmenorrhea: a qualitative thematic analysis

Women’s perceptions of cardiovascular risk after preeclampsia: a qualitative study

Exploring women’s sexual and reproductive health needs in Zabol’s suburbs, Iran: a qualitative study

Exploring Turkish women’s gynecological examination perceptions based on their metaphors: a qualitative study