Jasmine Sarah Abraham, Prathibha Sathenahalli Devegowda
BACKGROUND Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation from the loss of ovarian follicular activity. The word Menopause is derived from the Greek word Menos meaning monthly and Pause meaning cessation of menstruation. Although menopause is a transition which is experienced by all women, there is considerable variation concerning the age at menopause and symptoms. There is also a lack of awareness among menopausal women about the availability of treatment for menopausal symptoms. Women are sometimes apprehensive about the use of hormones replacement for relief of menopausal symptoms. This study aims to study the prevalence of menopausal symptoms and acceptability of hormone replacement for the relief of menopausal complaints The Objectives of the study were - 1) To study prevalence of menopausal symptoms. 2) To understand the treatment seeking behaviour of postmenopausal women. 3) Acceptance of HRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a descriptive study conducted at a secondary care centre between April 2017 to November 2018. 180 post-menopausal women with natural onset menopause attending out-patient department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology were included in the study. A semi structured interview followed by examination and relevant investigations were done. Patients with vasomotor and genital urinary complaints were counselled about treatment option of HRT. Data was analysed by mean, standard deviation, percentage and Pearson correlation test. RESULTS Out of the 180 women analysed in this study, 80%, (n=144) had menopausal symptoms. 21.1% women reported vasomotor complaints, 10% reported genitourinary complaints and sexual complaints by 3.3%. Musculoskeletal complaints were reported by 22.2% and psychological complaints by 66.1% women. For vasomotor complaints, 19 women received conjugated equine oestrogen 0.625 mg with medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets 5 mg, 5 received Tibolone 2.5 mg, 11 received is flavones and 3 got selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM), 11 were prescribed oestrogen vaginal cream 0.5 gram for genitourinary complaints. CONCLUSION The mean age of menopause in the study group is 48.2 years. The prevalence of menopausal complaints was 80%, with psychological complaint being the most common complaint. The single most disturbing symptom was hot flashes and the least reported complaint was genitourinary and sexual complaints. 34.02% women were prescribed HRT and non-HRT to relieve their vasomotor, genitourinary and sexual complaints. 24.3% of women were on HRT, 9.7% were apprehensive of HRT.
