How menopause affects the lives of women in suburban Chandigarh, India.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the effect of menopause on the lives of women in suburban Chandigarh.

METHOD

An integrated qualitative and quantitative study was performed in a low socioeconomic area of Chandigarh city, India. Women aged 40-60 years were enlisted and interviewed.

RESULTS

Of the 725 enlisted women, 298 (41%) had attained menopause, 47 (6.5%) were in transition and 43 (5.9%) had undergone hysterectomy. The transition phase lasted for 1-12 months in 48.7% of cases and for 1 year or more in 20.8% of cases. No transitional changes were reported by 30.5% of women. A change in menstrual pattern was the hallmark of this phase and included delayed periods (37.6%), heavy bleeding (13%), scanty periods (7%) or a mixed pattern (11.7%). The majority of women interviewed (76%) did not experience any tension on attainment of menopause. Diminished acuity of vision was the most commonly reported menopausal symptom. Hot flushes were reported by 17.1% of women. Most women (94%) welcomed menopause. Use of hormone replacement therapy was not reported by anyone.

CONCLUSION

Although north Indian women experienced various symptoms at menopause, they largely ignored these, while welcoming the freedom from menstruation-related worries.