Objective: To ascertain the effect of menopause on the lives of women in suburban Chandigarh.
Method: An integrated qualitative and quantitative study was performed in a low socioeconomic area of Chandigarh city, India. Women aged 40-60 years were enlisted and interviewed.
Results: Of the 725 enlisted women, 298 (41%) had attained menopause, 47 (6.5%) were in transition and 43 (5.9%) had undergone hysterectomy. The transition phase lasted for 1-12 months in 48.7% of cases and for 1 year or more in 20.8% of cases. No transitional changes were reported by 30.5% of women. A change in menstrual pattern was the hallmark of this phase and included delayed periods (37.6%), heavy bleeding (13%), scanty periods (7%) or a mixed pattern (11.7%). The majority of women interviewed (76%) did not experience any tension on attainment of menopause. Diminished acuity of vision was the most commonly reported menopausal symptom. Hot flushes were reported by 17.1% of women. Most women (94%) welcomed menopause. Use of hormone replacement therapy was not reported by anyone.
Conclusion: Although north Indian women experienced various symptoms at menopause, they largely ignored these, while welcoming the freedom from menstruation-related worries.