Table 1.
Distribution of metaphors by categories (90 women)
| Categories (n = 3) | f (%) | Metaphors (n = 24) | f (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gynecological examination imaging the gynecological table (as an instrument) | 47 (15.1%) | Fork 16, examination chair 10, dentist chair 7, long metal instrument 7, operating Table 4, crucifix 3 | 6 (25.0%) |
| The gynecological examination that brings to mind the reason for the procedure |
88 (28.3%) |
Pregnancy 20, birth 19, treatment/healing 18, health 8, relieved 7, abortion/loss of baby 6, illness/uterine cancer 6, family planning 2, spiral 2 | 9 (37.5%) |
| Gynecological examination, including affective expressions | 176 (56.6%) | Ache/pain 38, embarrassing 36, fear/anxiety 32, helpless 26, uneasiness 20, disgusting 8, stressful/nervous 8, disturbing 5, cold 3 | 9 (37.5%) |
| Total | 311 (100.0%) | Total | 24 (100.0%) |
*Note: Main metaphors (produced by three or more participants) are shown in bold. The numbers indicate the number (f) and percentage (%) of participants and metaphors in the categories