STUDYING SYMPTOMATOLOGY OF POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN RURAL POPULATION OF HARYANA:- are they being ignored

Abstract

Menopausal health stipulates precendence in India due to extension in the life expectancy and expanding population of menopausal women. To assess the awareness of postmenopausal symptoms in women in rural Haryana. To estimate the impact of menopause on quality of life in women in rural Haryana. This is a cross-sectional study. It was conducted from the month of September 2020 to April 2021.  This was conducted as a facility‑based study among the postmenopausal women (50-65 years) visiting the gynae opd of SGT HOSPITAL during outpatient hours. The menopause rating scale was used to assess the prevalence of menopausal symptoms and the QOL and data were collected for sociodemographic factors, relevant menstrual history and other variables. Prevalence of menopausal symptoms was found to be 85.6%. Most of the women had anxiety (82%) followed by irritability (73%), physical and mental exhaustion (69%), sleep problem (61.2%), Joint and muscular discomfort (59%), hot flushes were noted in 38%. The mean age of menopause was 48 standard deviation 3.5 years. The QOL was impaired in 72% of women participating in the study.  An integrated approach is required to improve quality of life in postmenopausal women.