The experience of menopausal symptoms by Arabic women in Sydney.

AIM

To investigate the menopausal experience of Arabic women living in Sydney and to explore the relationship between the psychosomatic symptoms and various sociodemographic factors.

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 197 Arabic women aged 45-65 years. The Menopause-specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics and menopausal symptoms.

RESULTS

The median age at menopause in the present study was 49 years (mean+/-standard deviation, 47.9+/-5.0 years). Out of 29 symptoms, the most frequent symptom reported was 'feeling tired or worn out' (86%), followed by 'aching in muscles and joints' (85%). Sixty-three percent of the subjects reported 'hot flushes' and 54% reported 'vaginal dryness during intercourse'. The least prevalent symptom was 'increased facial hair' (35%). Postmenopausal women suffered more vasomotor and sexual symptoms than pre- and perimenopausal women (p<0.05). Women from the sample who were better educated and had a lower body mass index reported fewer and less severe symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Menopause-related symptoms among these Arabic women in Sydney were more prevalent and severe than those reported in many other countries and their quality of life was negatively affected by these symptoms.