A study on the modified menopause rating scale as a tool in the assessment of prevalence of menopausal symptoms in women of Dakshina Kannada district: a cross sectional study

Authors

  • Vangara Sushmitha Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AJ institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Nishita Shettian Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AJ institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20205758

Keywords:

Menopause rating scale, Menopause, Indian menopause society, Vasomotor symptoms, Wareness, Health care services

Abstract

Background: Menopause is defined as complete cessation of menses for a period of twelve months or more as a result of complete loss of ovarian follicular activity. Issues related to menopausal symptoms are complicated in terms of experience, severity, and dynamics of the symptoms. Various studies had showed that these symptoms vary among individuals depending on the menopausal stage, ethnicity, geographic location, and other factors menopause rating scale is an effective tool to assess the severity of these symptoms. The aims and objectives of this study were to assess the commonly reported menopausal symptoms among the women of Dakshina Kannada district using a modified menopause rating scale.

Methods: This study was conducted in A.J Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre from January 2019. A total of 360 postmenopausal women were interviewed using predesigned questionnaire. Menopausal symptoms were assessed using modified menopause rating scale.

Results: Majority of women attained menopause at the age of 51-55 years and the calculated mean age was 51.33+3.36. 85% were symptomatic with at least one symptom. The most common symptom reported was joint and muscular discomfort (80%), psychological symptoms like depressive mood (68%), vasomotor symptoms (60%), sleep disorders (50%) urogenital problem (30%). The menopausal symptoms were more prevalent in women of lower socioeconomic status and the ones who were illiterate and this difference was significant.

Conclusions: There is an increasing need for establishment of specific health intervention for postmenopausal women by specialty clinics as the burden of menopausal symptoms is high in the Indian women due to lack of awareness, socio cultural and economic factors, and inaccessibility of health services, which may negatively affect the attitude of women towards menopause.

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Published

2020-12-26

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Original Research Articles