Perception of menopause among women of Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

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.

An exploration of women's knowledge and experience of perimenopause and menopause: An integrative literature review

“…Four of the included studies (Abd Elazim et al, 2014; Duffy et al, 2013; Sayakhot et al, 2012; Smail et al, 2020), used specific menopause‐related validated measures, such as the menopause specific quality of life questionnaire (MENQOL; Hilditch et al, 1996; the attitude toward menopause checklist [ATM]; Neugarten et al, 1963; the Greene climacteric scale; Green, 1976; and the Menopause Knowledge Scale [MKS]; Appling et al, 2000). Eight studies used non‐validated quantitative surveys and questionnaires developed by study authors (Abubakari et al, 2018; Christophe et al, 2020; Khokhar, 2013; Memon et al, 2014; Mustafa & Sabir, 2012; Noroozi et al, 2013; Syed Alwi et al, 2021; Tasnim et al, 2016), and five studies (Alan et al, 2016; Herbert et al, 2020; Ilankoon et al, 2021; Jurgenson et al, 2014; Ussher et al, 2019) used semi‐structured qualitative interviews (see Table 1).…”

“…Smail et al (2020) also found that Emirati women who had higher literacy were more knowledgeable although there were knowledge gaps regardless of education level, a finding also reported by Memon et al (2014). Duffy et al (2013) and Syed Alwi et al (2021) found that women with tertiary qualifications from Pakistan, UK and Malaysia reported less symptoms and more positive attitudes toward menopause, while Noroozi et al (2013) found that women from Iran with higher education levels and socioeconomic status had more positive attitudes toward menopause.…”

Knowledge, attitude, and experience of menopause of female prisoners

“…In our study, 44 (91.6%) women perceived menopause as a natural process and 41 (85.4%) were satisfied with menopause, and these women did not want to have a menstrual cycle again. In eastern societies [13,14] women view menopause as a natural process and a positive attitude, a study [15] reported that 91.7% of middle-aged women view menopause as normal and may experience menopause. Similar findings from India in [16] that 57% of women saw menopause as appropriate.…”

Nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Greek menopausal women

“…27 Menopause age and chronological age did not correlate with women's perceptions, although, in other studies, premenopausal women and women with higher levels of education expressed more positive opinions regarding menopause. 28 However, body weight was an important factor that could affect women's perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes. Age was found to correlate with women's dietary habits and adherence to the Mediterranean diet; older women had better compliance, which has also been mentioned in previous studies.…”