Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate age at menopause, climacteric symptoms and related
factors in women living in west Anatolian rural region of Turkey.
Method
This study included 761 menopausal women living in three rural towns. Questionnaires
regarding to 10 climacteric symptoms, menopausal status, sociodemographic characteristics,
parity, breastfeeding, presence of chronic illness, direct sun exposure, smoking,
caffeine use and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were filled out by face-to-face
interview. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess confounding factors on
the age of menopause and menopausal status.
Results
Mean age at menopause was 44.38 ± 5.30 years. Breastfeeding more than one year, low level of direct sun exposure and
mother's early age at menopause were associated with early onset of menopause. The
most prevalent climacteric symptoms were urine leakage, decreased libido, lack of
energy and poor memory in post-menopausal and hot flushes in peri-menopausal women.
Somatic and psychological symptoms were associated with hot flushes. HRT and osteoporosis
treatment usage were higher in surgical menopause group. Osteoporosis and Type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus (DT) were more common in natural menopause group. No association was found
with onset of menopause and smoking, excess caffeine use, BMI, marital status and
presence of chronic illness. Cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension (HT),
diabetes and obesity were common in post-menopausal women.
Conclusion
Onset of menopause in Turkish women living in rural region is earlier on average women
living in western or industrialized countries. Hot flushes in peri-menopausal, and
urogenital, and psychological in post-menopausal women are the most prevalent symptoms.
Primary care services in rural districts should focus on cardiovascular risks of menopausal
women.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 27,
2006
Received in revised form:
March 24,
2006
Received:
December 7,
2005
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
