A cross-sectional study to assess quality of life among postmenopausal women

Abstract

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. WHO Menopause rating scale (MRS) is an effective tool to assess the severity of these symptoms and to assess quality of life among postmenopausal women.The study was conducted in the out patient department of Government Homoeopathic Medical College from 2022 to 2023. A total of 35 samples were included in this study to assess the quality of life among postmenopausal women. Menopausal symptoms were assessed using WHO standards of menopause rating scale. And it was found that menopausal symptoms occurred more frequently in 51-55 age group and with mean age of 51.34+2.58 years. It was observed that, the menopausal symptoms occurred more in women belonging to Hindu religion, OBC category, house wives, nuclear family, middle level education and married women. Women those having pucca house and lower monthly per capita income also have more menopausal symptoms. The high proportion and severity of menopausal symptoms observed in this study proves that menopausal symptoms are common and cannot be ignored. Education, creating awareness and providing suitable intervention to improve their quality of life are important and is something which should be imparted to menopausal women at both individual and community level. Moreover, there is a need for menopausal clinics for awareness generation, early recognition and treatment of related diseases.