Menopausal Symptoms Experienced by Women Attending a Tertiary Level Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Menopausal transition fuels various physical and psychological changes in women. No woman experiences the same symptoms as another woman. This study aimed to describe the variability and magnitude of menopausal symptoms experienced by Nepalese women aged over 40 years and to explore lifestyle factors associated with occurrence of these symptoms.

Material and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 215 women attending the clinic of Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital. Symptomatic checklist questionnaire including symptoms commonly associated with menopause was used as instrument. Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop+10 principal criteria were used to classify women of reproductive stage.

Results: The participants’ response rate was 74.13 %. The mean age at menopause was 47.5 ± 4.4 years. Classical vasomotor symptoms, hot flushes (48.8%), vaginal dryness (12.1%) and night sweats (37.2%) were reported less than somatic symptoms and psychological symptoms. The most prevalent symptom reported was easy fatigue (87%), aching muscles and joints (80.9%), hair fall (80.9%). Significant difference in symptoms like sleep disturbances (p= 0.04), joint stiffness (p=0.00) and tingling sensation of limbs (p=0.02) was found across perimenopausal and postmenopausal group of women.

Conclusion: The variation in occurrence of “classical” and “non-classical” symptoms between Nepalese women and women of other regions demands more tailored interventions. Innovative, targeted preventative services like physiotherapy, rehabilitation, counselling, outreach clinics, awareness programs related to healthier perimenopausal lifestyle, health seeking and prospects of hormonal replacement therapy could be initiated at community levels to cater their needs.