Experience and attitudes toward menopause in Chinese women living in Sydney—A cross sectional survey

Abstract

Objectives To investigate the menopausal experience of Chinese women living in Sydney and to explore the prevalence of symptoms, and the relationship between the frequency of symptoms and various socio-demographic factors. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 310 Chinese women aged between 45 and 65 years. The menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) questionnaire was used to collect information on menopausal symptoms. The MENQOL questionnaire was translated into Chinese by an experienced bilingual health worker and then translated back into English by a different interpreter for accuracy. Results The mean and median ages at menopause for this study were 50.3 and 50.5 years, respectively (95% CI 49.8–50.8 years). Only 34% of women reported hot flushes, and 27% reported night sweats. Chinese women in Sydney more commonly reported psychological symptoms such as poor memory and physical symptoms such as dry skin, aching in muscles and joints and decreased physical strength. Changes in sexual desire and vaginal dryness were significantly different in perimenopausual women, compared with premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Conclusions Chinese women living in Sydney report fewer vasomotor symptoms compared with Caucasian women. Menopause was still experienced negatively, especially in its impact on sexual function and muscular–skeletal symptoms.