Mahmood, Nik Mohamed Zaki Nik
(2005)
A study on menopausal experiences in Malaysian women in
Kelantan.
A study on menopausal experiences in Malaysian women in Kelantan.
(Submitted)
Abstract
Menopause is associated with numerous transient typical and atypical sympto~s. ·It is
believed that Asian women suffer more of the atypical symptoms and fewer, and with
lesser severity, the typical psychological and vasomotor symptoms than the western
women. This study reports the incidence and nature of menopausal symptoms in
Kelantanese women and the self-care actions taken by them.
A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire'. was administered to 326
I)
~ . postmenopausal women (aged, 57.01 ± 6.~8 (SD) years) residing in th~ state of Kelantan.
The· subjects comprised of naturally menopaused,· healthy women. Women with
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uncontrolled diabetes and h)ipertension were not included. Descriptive statistic.al analysis
was performed ~n the data using SPSS pro~amme.
Mean age at menopause was 49.4 ± 3.4 (SD) years while both the mode and median were
50 years. The mode for the number of symptoms complained by each woman was 8
(range 0- 16). The incidences for atypical symptoms was; tiredness (79.1 %), reduced
concentration (77.5%), musculo-skeletal aches (70.6%) and backache (67.7%). Night
sweats (53%), headaches (49.4%) and hot flushes (44.7%) were the typical vasomotor
symptoms, whereas mood swings (51%), sleep problems (45.1%), loneliness (41.1%),
anxiety (39.8%), and crying spells (33.4%) were the main psychological symptoms.
Majority of the women reported reduced vaginal secretion (50.9%). The commonest
coi tal frequency was approximately 2-4 times per month (49.7%). Overall, 42.3%
reported a decrease in the frequency of sexual activity postmenopausally. Over twothirds
(69%) of the women reported either reduced (39%) or absent (29.6%) sexual desire
or interest. A similar pattern was also reported for libido. Varying degree of dyspareunia
was reported by 34% of the . women. Some women (23.3%) had noticed that their
spouses' sexual interest in them had reduced compared to before menopause. A small
percentage (7 .1%) reported that their vagina was not able to accommodate comple~ely an
erect penis. A small percentage (2.1%) admitted to having sexual problems, which had
an affect on their marital relationship and another group (9.5%) had spouses With sexual
problems. A quarter of the women though~ their sexuality could be improved while .
another quarter thought otherwise. More than half (52.6%) did not take any action to
improve their sexuality. Those who did, took HRT, "Jamu", Evening Primrose Oil, Royal
jelly, did regular exercises and controlled their diet.
The percentage of women taking self-care actions depended up<?n the symptom, and
ranged from 47.7% for reduced concentration to 100% for crying spells and anxiety.
Their self-care actions included taking traditional medicine, alternative medicine,
prescribed medications, getting actively involved in community work, and having peer
support. More than half (55%) did not seek any advice regarding their menopause. Those
who did, mainly approached their friends. Some 13% of women were not aware of the
menopause when it occuned.
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