Publication:

A study of assessment menopausal symptoms and coping strategies among middle age women of North Central India

Background Menopause is one of the most significant events in a woman's life and brings in a number of physiological changes that affect the life of a woman permanently and can be influenced by various socio-demographic factors and coping activities. The objectives of the study were to determine the commonly reported menopausal symptoms among middle age women and to correlate identified menopausal problems with coping strategies found in participants.

Methods By using modified MRS questionnaire, 150 menopausal women aged 40-60 years were interview to document of 12 symptoms (divided into somatic, psychological and urogenital domain) commonly associated with menopause.

Results The mean age of menopause was 49.8 years (±4.9) (range 43 - 57 years). The most prevalent symptoms reported were joint and muscular discomfort (70.6%); physical and mental exhaustion (61.3%); and sleeping problems (59.3%). Followed by symptoms of anxiety (48.6%); irritability (45.3%) hot flushes and sweating (38.6; dryness of vagina (37.9%); depressive mood (38.0%). Other complaints noted were incontinence/Frequency of urine (27.3 and heart discomfort (23.3%). Perimenopausal women (47.2%) experienced higher prevalence of somatic and psychological symptoms compared to premenopausal (n=15.6) and postmenopausal (37.2%) women. However urogenital symptoms found more in postmenopausal group of women. There is a strong significant association between the menopausal symptoms and coping strategies adopted by the menopausal women.

Conclusions Symptoms have variable onset in relation to menopause. Some women experience symptoms earlier during perimenopause while some experience them at a later time. The application of various coping methods, including the establishment of social support networks, is warranted to enhance postmenopausal women’s behaviors in different aspects.