A Study to Assess the Impact of Physical Activity on Menopausal Symptoms among Women in a Selected Area, Coimbatore

Abstract

Menopause is a universal and irreversible part of the overall ageing process involving a women's reproductive system, after which she no longer menstruates. The transition from a potentially reproductive to non reproductive state is the result of reduction in female hormonal production by the ovaries. The transition is normally not sudden or abrupt, tends to occur over a period of years, and is a natural consequence of ageing. However, for some women, the accompanying signs and effects that can occur during the menopause transition years can significantly disrupt the daily activities and sense of well -being. The objectives were to identify the various menopausal symptoms among women, to assess the type of physical activity performed by women and to assess the relationship between the physical activity and menopausal symptoms. A Quantitative approach with Non-experimental co-relational study design was adopted for this study. The study population comprised of 50 women who attained menopause and within the age group of 4155 years. A modified standardized International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the physical activity and a self structured questionnaire was used to assess the menopausal symptoms among women who attained menopause. Interview method was used to collect the data. The data reveals that 38% of selected samples have mild menopausal symptoms, 38% have moderate menopausal symptoms and 24% have severe menopausal symptoms. Among the heavy workers 59.09% have mild symptoms, 31.81% have moderate symptoms and 9.09% have severe symptoms. Among the moderate workers 27.77% have mild symptoms, 55.55% have symptoms and 16.66% have severe symptoms. Among sedentary workers 10% have mild symptoms, 20% have moderate symptoms and 70% have severe symptoms. χ2 test was used to assess the relationship between physical activity and menopausal symptoms. The calculated χ2 value 20.49 is greater than the table value, 9.49 at 0.05 level of significance. Thus the result proves that women doing regular physical activity have less severity of menopausal symptoms.