Prevalence and coping strategies: Menopausal symptoms among women

Menopause is a natural physiological event. It is a time of cessation of ovarian function resulting in permanent amenorrhea. It occurs at the age of 45 or above. Every women faces menopause and some of them face uncomfortable physical side effects and loss of their youth. As longevity increases, more and more cases need treatment. It is a natural physiological change in a woman's body where hormonal mechanisms undergo numerous changes that finally lead to the cessation of menses and may give rise to physical and psychological symptoms. The mean age of menopause in India is 47.5 years old.

The main aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of menopausal symptoms and coping strategies among women in selected areas of Amritsar with view to develop guidelines to enhance the knowledge of postmenopausal women regarding menopausal symptoms and coping strategies.

Develop guidelines to enhance the knowledge of postmenopausal women regarding menopausal symptoms and coping strategies. For this study, Menopause Rating Scale and Coping Strategies Checklist used through interview schedule. 190 postmenopausal women aged 45–57 years living in selected areas of Amritsar (Punjab), were interview to document symptoms of menopause and coping strategies.

The findings revealed that prevalence rate of menopausal symptoms among postmenopausal women was 74.2%. Majority (88.6%) of postmenopausal women have somato-vegetative symptoms and most (54.6%) of postmenopausal women used moderate level of coping strategies. There is a weak positive correlation between prevalence and coping strategies of menopausal symptoms.

It is concluded that the prevalence of menopausal symptoms is high in postmenopausal women. Improved health care programs and high level coping strategies about the menopausal symptoms might give women a better quality of life.