Age at Natural Menopause among four Endogamous Populations of Andhra Pradesh, India

The age at menopause varies across the populations of the world and depends on various socio-economic, biological and genetic factors. In the present paper an attempt is made to present the distribution of age at natural menopause of women belonging to four different endogamous populations of Andhra Pradesh namely, Kapu (peasant caste), Settibalija (toddy-drawing caste), Paki (scavenging caste) and Yerukula (a tribal population living in plain areas). Data were collected from women living in rural area of West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, through personal interviewing. A majority of women of Kapu, Settibalija and Paki populations attained menopause during above 40th year of their age, while among Settibalija caste, a majority reported the attaining of early menopause at the age of 35th year. The mean ages of menopause recorded by these populations are lower that many Indian and other populations. The study warrants understanding of the role of various socio-behavioural factors prevalent in these populations that might have influenced the age of menopause.