Objectives To document the common menopausal symptoms and quality of life in indigenous women of Sarawak in Malaysia. Methods A face-to-face interview using the Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire was conducted with 276 indigenous Sarawakian women aged 40-65 years to determine the mean age of menopause and common symptoms (divided into vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual domains) associated with menopause. Results The mean age at menopause of postmenopausal women was 50.78 + 2.47 years (range 47.3-58.2 years). The most common symptoms reported were aching in muscles and joints (82.6%), lack of energy (77.5%) and low backache (77.2%). The typical menopausal symptoms of hot flushes, night sweats, sweating and vaginal dryness were experienced by 42.4%, 34.8%, 29.7% and 49.3%, respectively of the women studied. Perimenopausal women (n ¼ 114) experienced the most physical and psychosocial symptoms, while postmenopausal women (n ¼ 102) experienced most sexual symptoms. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women were reported to suffer more than premenopausal women (p 5 0.001) within the four domains of symptoms (vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual). Conclusions The menopausal symptoms in this study correspond to those in other studies on Asian women but the prevalence of typical and classical menopausal symptoms was lower compared to studies on Caucasian women. The perimenopausal women had the most significant decrease in quality of life, followed by postmenopausal women and premenopausal women. Vasomotor symptoms had a predominant influence on the quality of life.
Background Various factors, including menopausal status, educational and social background, culture, and physical and emotional health, may influence women’s perceptions of menopause. This study documents the elements influencing attitudes towards menopause among women in Sarawak, Malaysia. Methods A face-to-face interview using a validated questionnaire was conducted with 324 Sarawakian women aged 40–65 to determine the mean age of menopause and perceptions and experiences of menopause among these women. Results The mean age ± standard deviation of the women was 51.37 ± 5.91 years. Ninety (27.8%) participants were premenopausal, 124 (38.5%) perimenopausal and 110 (33.7%) postmenopausal. The majority of these women (228; 70.4%) were local indigenous inhabitants of Sarawak. The findings show that 22.5% of the participants agreed that problems during menopause are a natural process. While 21.9% of the participants suggested that menopause should be treated medically, 32.3% argued that natural approaches for menopause symptoms are better than hormonal treatments. Seventy-five per cent of the women agreed that the absence of menses after menopause is a relief; meanwhile, 61.2% stated that menopause causes unpleasant symptoms. Notably, 51.7% were not sure whether women become less sexually attractive after menopause, and 51.1% were uncertain as to whether they feel less of a woman following menopause. Finally, 81.7% of participants were unsure if sexual activity is more enjoyable after menopause, and 71.9% were uncertain whether changes in life during menopause are more stressful. Among the different menopausal stages, the premenopausal group of women were noted to have more positive perceptions of menopause compared to the peri- and postmenopausal women. The study also observed that women with a better educational background generally had more positive perceptions of menopause. Conclusions The women’s perceptions of menopause in this study were found to correspond to those in other studies on Asian women. Women with higher levels of education and premenopausal women comparatively expressed more positive opinions regarding menopause. Lastly, most of the women noted that menopausal symptoms are unpleasant, but that the absence of menses after menopause is a relief.
Background: Various factors including menopausal status, educational and social background, culture, physical and emotional health may influence women’s perception about menopause. This study is to document the perception of menopause and factors influencing it among women in Sarawak, Malaysia.Methods: A face-to-face interview using a validated questionnaire was conducted with 324 Sarawakian women aged 40-65 years to determine the mean age of menopause and perception of menopause among these women.Results: The mean age ± standard deviation of the women was 51.37 ± 5.91 years. 90 (27.8%) were premenopausal, 124 (38.5%) perimenopausal and 110 (33.7%) postmenopausal. Majority of these women 228 (70.4%) were local indigenous women of Sarawak. 22.5% agreed problem in menopause is a natural process. 21.9% of the participants agreed menopause should be treated medically. 32.3% of them agreed natural approaches for menopause symptoms are better than hormonal. 75.0% agreed absence of menses after menopause is a relief; 61.2% agreed menopause causes unpleasant symptoms; 51.7% were not sure either women become less sexually attractive after menopause; 51.1% were not sure if they feel less of a woman following menopause. 81.7% of the women were not sure if sexual activity is more enjoyable after menopause and 71.9% of them were uncertain whether changes in life during menopause are more stressful. Among the different menopausal stages; perimenopausal group of women were noted to have more positive perception compared to the pre and postmenopausal women. In this study it was noted, women with higher educational background generally have a better and positive perception on menopause.Conclusions: The perception of menopause in this study were found to be correspond to those in other studies on Asian women. Better educational level and perimenopausal women were found to have more positive perception on menopause compared to the rest of the women studied. Majority of the women noted that menopausal symptoms is unpleasant and absence of menses after menopause is a relief.
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