Main health problems among menopausal women at Nazlet El-Ashtar village [Giza governorate]

ABSTRACT

Menopause in a physiological event in the women's life; it marks the end of the reproductive capacity of the woman. With the increase in life expectancy, the women spend a significant of their lives [about one third or more] in the postmenopausal status [48]. To investigate the age and the common manifestations experienced by women at menopause, Questionnaire form [including Beck's Depression Scale] was filled and complete clinical examination was performed for a sample of 99 women aged from45-55 years live in a rural area to obtain socio demographic and socioeconomic data, menstrual history, age at menopause and menopausal symptoms prevalence and to assess physical and psychological health status. Analysis of data is based on grouping of the participants into 3 groups according to the menopausal status Group 1 [premenopausal Women with regular menstrual period or with any type of menstrual irregularity other than the change in the amount of flow], Group 2 [menopausal transition Women with change in the amount of flow of menses], and Group 3 [postmenopausal Women with 12 months or more of amenorrhea]. The study revealed a mean age at menopause of 46.177 +/- 4.104 years and a significant difference between the 3 studied groups in experiencing hot flushes while no significant difference was found between them in experiencing depression. Accordingly services for geriatric, premenopausal and postmenopausal women should be integrated to the primary health care facility including health education program for women about the physiological process of menopause, healthy life style, the possible associating symptoms, and the very simple measures of management