Experience of menopausal symptoms by Chinese and Canadian women

Abstract

Objective This study examines the differences in frequency and distress caused by menopausal symptoms experienced by Canadian and Chinese women.Design Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Canada and China.Setting The Canadian studies were conducted in Toronto. The Chinese data were collected in Guangzhou City.Participants Women, 47-62 years old, 2-7 years after a natural menopause, were recruited.Methods Two hundred and eighty-two Canadians were recruited for two menopause studies. Data from 297 Chinese were obtained through a household survey. From a 105-item symptom questionnaire, women indicated the frequency and distress caused by symptoms in the previous month.Main outcome measures Frequency and mean distress score of problems were ranked and compared. Using the importance score method, a Chinese questionnaire was constructed and compared with the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire.Results The frequency of symptoms and distress experienced by Canadian and Chinese women differed markedly. Fourteen of the 29 items differed between the Chinese questionnaire and the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire.Conclusions There are striking differences between Chinese and Canadian women in the frequency and distress caused by menopausal symptoms. The Canadian questionnaire may not be relevant for Chinese women.