A study to assess the prevalence of menopausal symptoms and its impact on quality of life in the menopausal women in a selected Urban community, Kolkata, West Bengal

Abstract

Menopause is the end of menstruation. Menopause is cessation of menstruation for 12 months or a period that equivalent to three previous cycles or as time of cessation of ovarian function resulting in permanent amenorrhea. Menopause is a part of a women’s natural ageing process when lower level of estrogen & progesterone is produced by ovaries. This cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 400 women in the age group of 45-50 years in a selected urban community, Kolkata, West Bengal in 2020. Menopause Specific Quality of Life scale was used to assess the prevalence of menopausal symptoms and its impact. Data analysis was performed calculating mean, frequency and percentage and chisquare. Among the vasomotor symptoms prevalence of sweating was maximum (98%), among psychological symptoms anxiety and nervousness was the maximum prevalent symptoms(98%), most prevalent physical symptom was lack of energy (89.25%). Vasomotor symptoms had mild moderate and severe impact on quality of life where the other symptoms had mild and moderate impact on quality of life. Menopausal symptoms had significant association with socio demographic variables. The results support the popular belief that menopause causes vasomotor, physical and psychological problems. From the findings of the present study it can be concluded that almost all areas or domains evaluated were impaired in menopausal women but the vasomotor and psychological symptoms affects women’s quality of life more than the physical and sexual symptoms of menopause