Awareness on Menopause and its Effects in The health of Women in Palpa District (A Case Study of Women Visiting in Palpa District Hospital, Tansen)

Abstract

Menopause is a normal part of a woman's life. A large population of women aged 40-55 years living in perimenopausal age group through climacteric or "change of life".The study "Awareness on Menopause and its Effects in the Health of Women in PalpaDistrict Hospital, Tansen" has mainly focused on women at the age of 40-55 years inthe field of knowledge on reproductive health and menopause. The objectives were to identify the causes that affect menopause in women ofstudy area, find out the awareness on menopause and its effects in the health of women, estimate the average age of menopause and explore the menopausal symptoms and effects in women. One hundred twenty respondents were selected in FOPD at Palpa District Hospital, Tansen by using convenience sampling method. Data collection procedure has been conducted in from, July, 3–August, 52008 by using scheduled, structured, closed and open-ended questionnaire and interview method. The data has been presented in table, graph and chart. Summary,findings, conclusion and recommendation have been presented on the basis of the study. The result shows that the average age of menarche is 15 years and the average age of menopause is 47.4 years. That menopause is a permanent cessation was knownby 74.2 percent women. Similarly, 8percent reported menopause occurs due to lack ofhormone, 47percent due to the ageing and 22percent didn't know the causes of menopause. Likewise, 79.2 percent had experienced menopausal effects(Symptoms).Among them 63.8percent managed by medical consultation. Altogether34 symptoms identified themselves with the menopause. The common symptoms areurinary problems77.5 percent, dry during intercourse 66.3 percent, night sweating48.8percent, and vaginal dryness 43.2percent. Similarly, 44percent felt unattractive own self due to aging, 25 percent lonely, 11 percent inferior,8 percent felt isolated and 12 percent felt all of the above symptoms. Some ethnic group, age, occupation,economy, poverty, food habit, early and frequent pregnancy rate, nulliparous women,alcoholic and smoking habit and personal behavior appear to affect the early age ofmenopause. However religion, education, abortion practice, family planningcontraceptives and chronic disease do not affect the age of menopause. The study has found that most of the women were not aware on reproductive health problems and menopausal effects. Being at age of about 40 years, health maintenance routine should include screening for problems related to menopause.Early detection of perimenopausal problems and appropriate intervention is important