A Crosssectional survey research to assess the determinants of Menopause, prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and its impact on quality of life of menopausal women

Abstract

Background: Menopause is usually associated with inevitable manifestation of ageing process in women. In Ayurveda Rajonivrutti is described as end of Artava Pravrutti. This is associated with distressing physical, pshycological, vasomotor and sexual symptoms that degrades the quality of life- and life-threatening health risks. Aims and objectives: Aim was to create awareness regarding predisposing factors, preventive and treatment measures among menopausal women. Objective was to find out the prevalence, severity of menopausal symptoms and quality of life, to assess the role of sociodemographic characteristics, predisposing factors influencing occurrence of Menopause and complications of menopause, to assess the association between Prakriti of patients and Menopausal Symptoms. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey study was conducted in the 206 patients of the age group 45-65 years through face-to-face interview method by using survey questionnaire, which consists of three parts. 1) assessement of sociodemographic data, 2) Prakruti assessment questionnaire, 3) evaluation of symptoms using a standard validated Menopause specific QOL (MENQOL) Questionnaire. Results: Maximum no. of patients participated in the survey 40-45 yrs (67%); married (96.1%); uneducated (47.6 %); (63.6 %) Vishamagni; (60.7% ) disturbed sleep; ( 44.7%) excessive use of Madhura Rasa (85.4%) Katu Rasa (16.5 %), Amla Rasa ( 9.2%) Lavana Rasa (8.7%), Vishamashana (87.4%) ; (48.5%) Avyayama; Vata Pitta Prakriti (76.7%) ; The mean score of vasomotor symptoms, psychosocial symptoms, sexual symptoms and physical symptoms is (6.89 ± 0.83), (6.53 ± 1.12), (5.91 ± 2.94), (5.60 ± 1.00) respectively. Conclusion: The sociodemographic factors such as age, marital status, education, socioeconomic status, contraception and etiological factors such as Vishamasana, excessive use of Madhura Rasa, Katu Rasa, Amla Rasa, LavanaRasa, Avyayama can influence the severity of menopausal symptoms. Vatapitta Prakruti patients are more prone to menopausal symptoms. The quality of life of Menopausal women in this survey study are more troublesome by vasomotor symptoms followed by psychosocial, physical and sexual symptoms respectively.