Abstract
Objectives
To investigate the menopausal experience of Chinese women living in Sydney and to
explore the prevalence of symptoms, and the relationship between the frequency of
symptoms and various socio-demographic factors.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 310 Chinese women aged between 45 and
65 years. The menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) questionnaire was used to
collect information on menopausal symptoms. The MENQOL questionnaire was translated
into Chinese by an experienced bilingual health worker and then translated back into
English by a different interpreter for accuracy.
Results
The mean and median ages at menopause for this study were 50.3 and 50.5 years, respectively
(95% CI 49.8–50.8 years). Only 34% of women reported hot flushes, and 27% reported
night sweats. Chinese women in Sydney more commonly reported psychological symptoms
such as poor memory and physical symptoms such as dry skin, aching in muscles and
joints and decreased physical strength. Changes in sexual desire and vaginal dryness
were significantly different in perimenopausual women, compared with premenopausal
and postmenopausal women.
Conclusions
Chinese women living in Sydney report fewer vasomotor symptoms compared with Caucasian
women. Menopause was still experienced negatively, especially in its impact on sexual
function and muscular–skeletal symptoms.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 16, 2007
Accepted:
September 17,
2007
Received in revised form:
September 9,
2007
Received:
April 20,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
