Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

Menopause marks the end of a womenâ��s reproductive life and is a period of rapid change in hormonal balance associated with a number of symptoms. Objectives: To ascertain experiences and reactions of postmenopausal women on attainment of menopause. Methodology- Cross-sectional house to house survey was conducted. Target Population- All post-menopausal women between 40-60 years who experienced their last menstrual period more than 12 months prior to date of interview. Area Selection- Study area was chosen purposively for convenience. Sampling- Total population of sub urban Dhana Chandigarh was covered. Study Instrument- Semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection. The research proposal was approved by the Institute Ethics Committee before initiating the survey. Results: Out of a total 725 women 298(41.1%) had attained menopause. Of these 245(82.2%) women were in the early postmenopausal phase of their lives. Mean age at menopause found to be 46.85�±3.8 years. No any change experienced by 74.2% women prior to onset of menopause. Whereas 21.1% women reported heavy bleeding and irregular menses. Majority 94.3% welcomed cessation of menses. The reported reactions were-got rid of botheration 52.3%, free from worries and freedom to go anywhere /wear any type of clothes21.8%, 7.7% reported they had attained manhood. Singh and Arora 2000 reported that most of the rural Indian women considered attainment of menopause a welcome relief after going through an almost 30 years of monthly, monotonous routine of managing menstruation. They felt free of the self-imposed social, dietary, physical and religious restrictions because of menses. Cessation of menses was welcomed as it relieved them off dealing with the â��filthâ�� and the dirty blood. Advanced preparedness for menopause was observed more in women who attained menopause after 45 years (19;30.6%) (x2 13.1;df=2;p<0.01). Consultation with doctor was also significantly more (26;41.9%) x2 7.73;df=2;p<0.05) when menopause was early. Conclusion: Menopause was welcomed by most of the women. None of the respondent was on HRT.

Biography

Sukhwinder Kaur has completed her P.hd from PGIMER, Chandigrh in Feb.2002 and working as a Lecturer at National Institute of Nursing Education PGIMER, Chandigarh. Teaching child health nursing and nursing education to post graduates & providing services to PGIMER since May 1988. She has presented number of Scientific papers in National and International Conferences at Japan, London, Madrid Spain and Las Vegas USA received Best poster Awards from USA, Bombay and PGIMER, Chandigarh. She is life member of ten professional bodies, Nodal Officer of PGI Website Chandigarh. President of Nursing & Midwifery Research Journal and publishing journal quarterly, Treasurer of TNAI, Chandigarh Branch. She is Recipient of Glory of India Award from Bangkok, Thailand, Rashtriya Gaurav Award at Delhi, Best Citizen of India Award, Bharat Vibhushan Samman Puraskar for Outstanding Individual Achievement & Distinguished Services to the Nation at Delhi, Global Achievers Award for Education Excellence on 11th May 2013 at Bangkok Thailand. Published more than 25 papers in National and International journals. Completed three Institute Scheme Research projects as well as one DST Chandigarh Administration project.

Email: sukhwinder_dr@yahoo.in