Middle-aged women's experience and perceptions of menopause.

The purpose of this study was to examine women's perceptions of menopause, and their relation to physical symptoms, psychological and socio-cultural variables. Physical symptoms and experiences described by women during menopause vary greatly among individuals. Numerous theories have been proposed as to the reason for the variations among women. This study consisted of a survey of 40-60 year old women. Questionnaire items investigated attitudes, physical symptoms, and demographic characteristics, including ethnic and cultural background, educational level, work and career orientation, mother's experiences with menopause, age of menarche, marital status, number of children, and socio-economic status. Relationships were examined among the demographic variables, physical symptoms, and attitudes toward menopause.