Assessment of menopausal symptoms using modified Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) among middle age women in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Syed Alwi Syed Abdul Rahman,Verna Lee Kar Mun,Siti Rubiah Zainudin

doi:10.1186/1447-056x-9-5

Syed Alwi Syed Abdul Rahman, Verna Lee Kar Mun + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1447-056x-9-5

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Abstract

BackgroundMenopausal symptoms can be assessed by several tools, and can be influenced by various socio-demographic factors.ObjectivesTo determine the commonly reported menopausal symptoms among Sarawakian women using a modified Menopause Rating Scale (MRS).MethodsBy using modified MRS questionnaire, 356 Sarawakian women aged 40-65 years were interview to document of 11 symptoms (divided into somatic, psychological and urogenital domain) commonly associated with menopause.ResultsThe mean age of menopause was 51.3 years (range 47 - 56 years). The most prevalent symptoms reported were joint and muscular discomfort (80.1%); physical and mental exhaustion (67.1%); and sleeping problems (52.2%). Followed by symptoms of hot flushes and sweating (41.6%); irritability (37.9%); dryness of vagina (37.9%); anxiety (36.5%); depressive mood (32.6%). Other complaints noted were sexual problem (30.9%); bladder problem (13.8%) and heart discomfort (18.3%). Perimenopausal women (n = 141) experienced higher prevalence of somatic and psychological symptoms compared to premenopausal (n = 82) and postmenopausal (n = 133) women. However urogenital symptoms mostly occur in the postmenopausal group of women.ConclusionsThe prevalence of menopausal symptoms using modified MRS in this study correspond to other studies on Asian women however the prevalence of classical menopausal symptoms of hot flushes, sweating was lower compared to studies on Caucasian women.

Highlights

Menopausal symptoms can be assessed by several tools, and can be influenced by various sociodemographic factors
The prevalence of menopausal symptoms using modified Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) in this study correspond to other studies on Asian women the prevalence of classical menopausal symptoms of hot flushes, sweating was lower compared to studies on Caucasian women
Studies shown that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women have more menopausal complaints compared to premenopausal women. They were noted to complain significantly more of vasomotor, sexual and psychological symptoms compared to premenopausal women [12,13,14]

Summary

Introduction

Menopausal symptoms can be assessed by several tools, and can be influenced by various sociodemographic factors. Some of menopausal symptoms experienced by these women can be severe enough to affect their normal daily activities. Majority of these women are not aware of the changes brought about by menopause [1,2,3,4]. Studies shown that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women have more menopausal complaints compared to premenopausal women. They were noted to complain significantly more of vasomotor, sexual and psychological symptoms compared to premenopausal women [12,13,14]

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Results