Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of Life of Postmenopausal Women – A Community Based Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background and Objective Menopause is one point in a continuum of life stages for women and marks the end of their reproductive years. Menopause is associated with physical psychological and uro-genital symptoms which are known to affect the quality of life of postmenopausal women. The aim of the study was to determine the intensity of menopause symptoms and quality of life of postmenopausal women.Method The study was conducted in selected community villages in rural Bangalore. A total of 116 postmenopausal women who were available at the time of data collection and fulfilled the study inclusion criteria were assessed using demographic proforma Menopausal rating scale MRS and Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire MENQOL.Results The study results showed hot flashes depressive mood dryness of vagina and poor sexual desire as the most predominant symptoms among all domains of MRS. In the domains of MENQOL hot flashes experiencing poor memory and presence of vaginal dryness during sexual intercourse were reported as the most predominant symptoms.Conclusion Healthcare professionals should understand the complexity of menopausal symptoms for providing suitable health interventional remedies. There is a considerable lack of awareness about the effects and treatment of menopausal symptoms among Indian women especially among rural women in India.