Evaluation of Sociodemographic Factors on Menopausal Symptoms in Women of 40–60 Years

Abstract

Background: Though menopause is a natural phenomenon in a woman’s life, several factors affect the severity of menopausal symptoms. Aim and objectives: To assess the effects of sociodemographic components on menopausal symptoms in women aged 40–60 years. Materials and methodology: It is a hospital-based observational study. All women between the age of 40 and 60 years were made to answer a 11-item questionnaire (menopausal rating scale). A total of 300 participants were included. Out of which 106 were premenopausal, 111 were perimenopausal, and 83 were postmenopausal. Overall 47% of participants had one or the other menopausal symptoms. Hot flushes and irritability were more in age-group of 46–55 years. Bladder problems were more in 51–60 years, and depressive mood was common in 46–50 years of age. Though socioeconomic status did not have statistically significant effect on menopausal symptoms, it is observed that hot flushes, depressive mood, and muscle and joint pain were higher in upper class group. Whereas sexual problems, dryness of vagina, and bladder problems were more in lower class group. Irritability, heart discomfort, and hot flushes were more common in obese category patients. Depending on education status, it was noted that participants who were illiterate had significant bladder problems and heart discomfort and who had primary education had hot flushes and irritability. Conclusion: Menopausal symptoms were maximum in the age-group of 46–55 years. Lesser educated people and people with higher body mass index (BMI) had more menopausal symptoms. Lower socioeconomic group had more urogenital problems and upper class had more of somatic symptoms.