Perceptions, Attitudes, and Self-Management of Natural Menopausal Symptoms in Ghanaian Women

Abstract

The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate menopausal symptoms is associated with risks of cardiovascular and thromboembolic diseases and breast cancer. In this qualitative study, we investigated how women in low-resource settings manage menopausal symptoms without HRT. We interviewed 34 menopausal Ghanaian women about their sources of information, perceptions, attitudes, and self-management methods for alleviating menopausal symptoms. The majority of the women used a combination of nonhormonal medications and complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM), including dietary modifications, exercise, and other lifestyle changes to effectively manage menopausal symptoms. Sources of information about menopause influenced participants' perceptions, attitudes, and self-management choices.

Unveiling hidden knowledge: discovering the hygiene needs of perimenopausal women

“…In Ghana, the average menopausal age is 48.05 years (Kwawukume et al, 1993). Symptoms experienced by menopausal women in Ghana include irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, incontinence, tiredness, palpitations, headaches, joint pain, sleep loss, vaginal dryness, decreased coitus, poor memory and weight gain (Kwawukume et al, 1993;Seffah et al, 2008;Odiari and Chambers, 2012;Sertorglo et al, 2012). The menopausal rating scale used in Europe and America is valid for Nigerian women (Kupoluyi et al, 2015).…”

Critical review of complementary and alternative medicine use in menopause

“…According to the quality scoring system, studies included in this review were divided into two types: large sample size (n Q 500) and small sample size (n G 500). 50,58,66,86 In addition, the prevalence rates of menopausal women who used one or two CAM products daily ranged from 15% to 90.2% (mean, 47%; median, 45%); for menopausal women who used more than three CAM products, the prevalence rates ranged from 7.8% to 48.4% (mean, 30%; median, 24%). 33,37,38,42,45,46,48,55,59,62,72,76,77,79 Meanwhile, the prevalence rates reported in another 17 articles with small sample sizes ranged from 24% to 91% (mean, 58%; median, 55%).…”

“…This perception was often found to be most common among women who were not current HT users compared with those who were current HT users. 37 The literature seems to suggest that menopausal women draw upon a wide range of information sources including media (such as the Internet, magazines, newspapers, and books), 35,37,39,40,41,52,55,59,71,79,82 as well as family and friends, 37,39<41,57<59, 63,71,73,86 to help guide their decision-making on CAM use. 35,39 However, although the women in menopause in most of the studies recognized that there were benefits associated with CAM use, these benefits were not articulated or detailed in the reported findings.…”

Effect of daily supplementation of soy isoflavones on hot flashes and night sweats in African menopausal women

“…With regard to African women, few studies are available in the relevant literature, and those that exist mainly reflect a lack of information on menopause (e.g., symptoms and available treatments) [3][4][5][6][7]. The prevalence of climacteric disorders varies according to studies from 57% to 85%, and their management remains inadequate [4][5][6]. In addition, the age of menopause onset seems to be slightly hi-gher for African women compared to the rest of the world (between 48 and 49 years on average).…”