Assessment of Menopausal Symptoms among Middle Aged Women: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Menopausal symptoms experienced by women are known to affect their quality-of-life. The symptoms experienced at menopause are quite variable and their etiology is found to be multifactorial. The objective is to determine the commonly reported menopausal symptoms among middle age women and to assess the pattern and severity of menopausal symptoms. Women in the age group of 40-65 years were included in the study by convenient sampling method. Out of 1000 respondents, the majority of the study subjects belonged to the 45-50 years of age group- 400 (40%). Majority of women in the study were married- 630 (63%), women who were educated up to high school were 340 (34%), 520 (52%) of women were homemakers. In the present study, it was observed that the study subjects who attained menopause were at the age of 45-50 years and it was observed in 480 respondents (48%). The most common symptoms reported were joint and muscular discomfort 960 (96%) and Physical and mental exhaustion 951(95%). However, Postmenopausal women had somatic 671 (95.7%), psychological 601 (85.7%) and urogenital 651 (92.8%) symptoms than perimenopausal and premenopausal women. The most prevalent menopausal symptoms in the present study were joint and muscular discomfort 960 (96%), followed by physical and mental exhaustion 951 (95%). Menopausal symptoms are common and cannot be ignored. It is therefore suggested that menopausal clinics needs to be established with in the current primary health care system. In order to focus attention to menopausal women and their needs.

Keywords:  Menopause, post-menopause, somatic, pre-menopause