Climacteric complaints of paramedical personnel.

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted from October 1995 to January 1996, to assess the prevalence of climacteric complaints of paramedical personnel in Chulalongkorn Hospital. Data collection was performed using a standardized questionnaire, comprised of population characteristics, items and severity of climacteric complaints. All the participants filled up the questionnaire by themself after receiving a clear explanation of the meaning of each symptom. Two hundred and ninety women aged 40-59 years participated in the study. Their mean age was 47.72 +/- 4.77 years. Forty six per cent of the study population were classified as premenopausal, i.e. having regular vaginal bleeding during the last 12 months, 18 per cent were perimenopausal, i.e. having irregular vaginal bleeding during the last 12 months and 35 per cent were postmenopausal, i.e. having no vaginal bleeding during the last 12 months. The mean time since menopause of the last group was 4.71 +/- 3.75 years. The results revealed that the prevalence of vasomotor symptoms, urogenital symptoms and other symptoms i.e. numbness, forgetfulness, etc, were reported at a significantly higher rate in the postmenopause than in the perimenopause and premenopause women respectively (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of psychological symptoms among the three groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, except for psychological symptoms, the reported prevalence of climacteric complaints in paramedical personnel was associated with menopausal status.