TO STUDY ASSOCIATION OF POST-MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS AND CLINICO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

ABSTRACT

Age at menopause influences the severity of post-menopausal symptoms to determine the symptoms and clinicodemographic links in post menopauseal women in a representative population from eastern Uttar Pradesh. All postmenopausal women presenting with symptoms in the Gynaecological Emergency Department for a period of one year were enrolled. Age and clinicodemographic details, symptoms severity, and reasons for delay in seeking treatment were noted. The data was analysed using Chi-square test. Overall 990/17,927 (5.52%) women visiting the gynaecological OPD presented with post-menopausal complaints. Among menopausal women, the mean age ranged from 40 to 60 years old with a mean age of 46.6012.48 years. Majority were para 3-4 (52.5%), age at menarche were >13 years (58.3%), uneducated (58.8 %) , lower/upper lower SES (57.5%), married (77.3%) and had BMI<18.5kg/m2 (62.1%). Tobacco/smoking addiction was reported in 55 (5.6%) women. A total of 145 (14.6%) were working women. Severity of symptoms was mild, moderate and severe in 57.2%, 28.3% and 14.5% cases. Majority had onset of symptoms for 4- 5 years (56.4%) after menopause. Joint pains and Backache/body ache were the most common presenting complaints (81.8%). A significant association of age at presentation was seen with parity, age at menarche, BMI category and occupational status. Severity of symptoms showed a significant association with age at presentation, parity, age at menarche, BMI category, occupational status and tobacco/smoking use. Most common reasons for delayed treatment were financial problems (22.2%), family problems (18.2%) and commonness of problem (12.6%). Only 2.1% women were aware about HRT. Among the relatively less informed members of our study population, low socioeconomic status, underweight, and menopause age were all influenced by clinicodemographic factors.