Menopause Related Health Problems and Quality of Life of Menopausal Women from Urban Slums of Western Maharashtra: An Observational Study

Vahini Anandkumar; Shubhalaxmi D  Kotnis

doi:10.5455/njcm.20201215020144

Authors

Vahini Anandkumar Department of Community Medicine, Dr.VMGMC, Solapur
Shubhalaxmi D Kotnis Department of Community Medicine, Dr.VMGMC, Solapur

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5455/njcm.20201215020144

Keywords:

Menopausal symptoms, Quality of life, Urban Slum, MEN-QOL

Abstract

Introduction: During menopause, women may experience vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, as well as sexual dysfunction. Studies on menopausal issues and health demand priority in the Indian scenario due to the growing population of menopausal women as a result of their increased life expectancy.

Materials& Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a predesigned, structured questionnaire based on socio-demographic variables and menopausal symptoms as per the MEN-QOL questionnaire and administered by the investigator. Postmenopausal women coming to UHTC were selected purposively until the sample size was reached and interviewed. Data collected were coded and entered in an Excel sheet. Values were expressed in the form of frequency and percentages.

Results: The mean age at menopause was 48.8 years. Most frequent menopausal symptoms were aching in muscle and joints (72.9%), feeling tired (65%), poor memory (61.4%), lower backache (49%), and difficulty in sleeping (54.3%). The vasomotor and sexual domains complained when compared to physical and psychological domains.

Conclusion: The age at onset of menopause in an urban area of southwestern Maharashtra is 48.8 years which is four years more than the mean menopause age for Indian women. The most frequent menopausal symptoms were aching in muscle and joints, feeling tired and poor memory.

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