The spectrum of gynecological problems among elderly women in Kashmir

The present descriptive and analytical study was conducted in the Postgraduate Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lal Ded Hospital, associated with Government Medical College, Srinagar to know the dimensions of various gynecological disorders in elderly women in the Kashmir region and to emphasize various measures for early detection and management of these problems. J 05 elderly women aged 60 years and above who attended OPD during fieldwork, were the subjects of this study. It was found that out of J 05 respondents, 48.57 percent (N=51) had pelvic organ prolapse (something coming out of the vagina), 46.6 percent, (N=49) respondents had a complaint of post-menopausal bleeding and 4.76 percent (N=5) of respondents had complained of vaginal discharge (atrophic vaginitis). Based on the present findings, it may be concluded that elderly women face many gynecological problems. The high incidence of pelvic organ prolapse, and benign, and malignant post-menopausal bleeding in the elderly age group emphasizes the urgent need for screening programmes for post-menopausal women. It is suggested that geriatric clinics in the current primary health care system can centralize attention to menopausal women and their needs.