Knowledge, attitude and perception of perimenopausal and menopausal changes in middle age women (40-45 years) of urban population

Abstract

: Menopause is the period in women’s life when menstruation ceases for atleast 12 months. Perimenopause refers to the time during which body makes the natural transition to menopause. M Majority women attain menopause without having adequate knowledge and approaches to cope with the menopausal changes. So, they face many physical and psychological disorders during their menopause. So knowledge and awareness regarding it is very necessary.: To study knowledge, attitude and perception of perimenopausal and menopausal changes in middle age women of 40-45years of urban population.: It was a cross-sectional study in urban population (community set-up).: 100 female participants between the age group 40-45 years having regular or irregular menstrual cycle were asked to fill a self-made questionnaire which was face validated. : Descriptive analysis.: 99% women have heard about the term perimenopause and menopause of which 96% women have knowledge about it. 46% were aware about the physical symptoms, 84% about the emotional/psychological symptoms, 78% about the hormonal deficiency related symptoms and 92% about the bone and muscle related problems. 41% of women had knowledge about Hormonal Replacement Therapy. 51% of the women have knowledge about the exercise which helps cope with perimenopause and menopause symptoms.: More efforts are needed for creating awareness about symptoms, complication and risk factors associated with perimenopause and menopause and importance of exercise as the first line of treatment option to cure the symptoms.

A study of knowledge, attitude and perception of perimenopausal changes in women aged 40-45 years in Gurugram district of Haryana, India

“…Due to hormonal changes and imbalance associated with this, the woman undergoing this phase experiences many psychological as well as physiological changes that affect her overall health status. 1,2 There is lack of knowledge and much awareness regarding Perimenopause and menopause and related health problems and their remedies among the general population, especially the middle-aged women. It is imperative to understand the importance of increasing the women folk's knowledge regarding the various Perimenopausal and menopausal changes which will help them to accept the same more readily and cope with them in a much better manner so as to have a good quality of life.…”

“…Although menopause is not a disease, but a natural physiological phenomenon, but morbidity and mortality is enhanced markedly in postmenopausal women as compared to their younger counterparts. 1 The effects of perimenopausal and menopausal physiological changes include vaginal mucosal changes and dryness, loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis resulting in pathological fractures, behavioural changes, urinary changes, urinary urgency, frequency and bladder tenesmus resulting in 'urogenital syndrome', increased deposition of fat around the waist ('menopause tyre' or meno-paunch') and marked decreased libido. 1,3 Most women reach menopausal age without having adequate and proper knowledge about what to expect and ways to deal with the events experienced by her during this period.…”

“…1 The effects of perimenopausal and menopausal physiological changes include vaginal mucosal changes and dryness, loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis resulting in pathological fractures, behavioural changes, urinary changes, urinary urgency, frequency and bladder tenesmus resulting in 'urogenital syndrome', increased deposition of fat around the waist ('menopause tyre' or meno-paunch') and marked decreased libido. 1,3 Most women reach menopausal age without having adequate and proper knowledge about what to expect and ways to deal with the events experienced by her during this period. In western societies where women have a fair knowledge about menopause are better and they enjoy a far better quality of life in post-menopausal period.…”

“…In western societies where women have a fair knowledge about menopause are better and they enjoy a far better quality of life in post-menopausal period. 1,4 Women's awareness about Perimenopause and menopause is dependent on various factors eg. age, parity, educational qualification, urban or rural background, occupation, socio-economic status, social, cultural and geographical factors.…”

“…The more negative the attitude towards menopause, higher will be severity of the symptoms and morbidity. 1,5 Thus, this study is being undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions and practices about perimenopause and menopause in women aged 40-45 years in the rural population of Gurugram district of Haryana, so that we can impart proper and correct education regarding the menopausal symptoms and advise them on adopting life-style modifications, dietary and other preventing measures to avoid and reduce the health problems resulting from menopause in a better manner.…”