ASSESSMENT OF MENOPAUSAL PROBLEMS AMONG URBAN MENOPAUSAL WOMEN: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Menopause is a part of every woman's life. It is a transition from reproductive to non- reproductive stage. Many women experience menopausal symptoms during menopausal transition and postmenopausal years. A study was conducted on 50 menopausal women belonging to urban community from Chandigarh to determine the age at menopause and prevalence of menopausal problems. Information was collected through predesigned and pretested questionnaire cum interview schedule. Menopausal symptoms were assessed by menopause rating scale (MRS) which included vasomotor, psychosomatic, psychological, urinary complaints and others. Anthropometric measurements were also taken to assess the nutritional status. In the present study, the mean age at menopause was 48.0 years ± 3.44. The present study revealed that physical exhaustion (96%) was the most common menopausal symptom experienced by the respondents. Psychological symptoms like depressive mood (92%), irritability (86%) and anxiety (80%) were also prevalent among majority of the respondents. Three- fourth of the respondents experienced hot flushes (76%) and joint and muscular discomfort (72%). More than half of the respondents experienced heart discomfort (56%) and bladder problems (52%). About 44 per cent were having sexual problems while 32 per cent complained of vaginal dryness. So as the menopausal symptoms were quite common, there is a need to educate and generate awareness among menopausal women about the menopause phase and its associated symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]