The Relationship Between Attitudes Toward Menstruation and Fertility Preferences Among Women Preparing for Marriage in Salmas, 2024: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Population growth in Iran has fluctuated across decades; over the past two decades, the country's fertility rate has remained below the replacement level (fewer than two children per woman).One of the key factors influencing future demographic trends and fertility levels is the childbearing preferences of individuals of reproductive age.Acceptance of motherhood, gender role attitudes, and attitudes toward menstruation are among the factors that may shape fertility preferences.This study aimed to examine the relationship between attitudes toward menstruation and fertility preferences among women preparing for marriage in 2024.Methods This descriptive cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on 200 women preparing for marriage who attended the premarital counseling center in Salmas.Participants were selected through convenience sampling until the required sample size was reached.Data were collected using a personal information questionnaire, the Miller Fertility Preferences Questionnaire (1995), and the Morse Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire.Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 23. ResultsThe mean age of participants was 22.46 6.31 years, and the mean score of menstrual attitude was 173.68 8.1.More than 60% (63.5%) of the women reported a moderate desire for childbearing.Findings from the ANOVA test indicated no significant differences in menstrual attitude scores across any of the fertility preference items (p > 0.05). ConclusionIn this study, women preparing for marriage showed a relatively positive attitude toward menstruation; however, no significant association was found between menstrual attitudes and fertility preferences.It appears that fertility preferences may be shaped more by social and cultural influences than by biological attitudes.Strengthening reproductive health education during the premarital period may support more informed decision-making among couples regarding childbearing.