Age at menopause, motives for consultation and symptoms reported by 40–59-year-old Mexican women. (August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Legorreta, D.; Montaño, J. A.; Hernández, I.; Salinas, C.; Hernández-Bueno, J. A.
• Is Part Of: Climacteric. Volume 16:Number 4(2013:Aug.)
• Page Start: 417
• Page End: 425
• Publication Date: 2013-08
• Subjects: Menopause -- Periodicals; Menopause -- Hormone therapy -- Periodicals; Menopause -- Periodicals; Estrogen Replacement Therapy -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Societies, Medical -- Periodicals; 612.665
• DOI: 10.3109/13697137.2012.696288
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-7137

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objectives</italic> To assess the mean age at natural menopause, primary initial motives for consultation, symptoms and factors related to a more severe symptom profile using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) in a nationwide sample of middle-aged women in gynecological clinics in Mexico.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic> A total of 4548 women, 40–59 years old were surveyed in gynecological clinics throughout all regions in Mexico.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic> The mean age at natural menopause was 47.9 ± 3.82 years. The primary initial motive for consultation was a preventive examination (40.3%). Significant differences (<italic>p</italic> values by ANOVA) were observed for the mean total and subscale MRS scores, with the exception of urogenital symptoms, between women in the sub-samples from different Mexican regions. The highest mean MRS total scores were observed for women living in the South (9.08 ± 8.20) and the Center-East (8.55 ± 6.74) regions. The national mean MRS total score was 8.19 ± 6.82. An MRS total score ≥ 17, which is considered severe, was observed for 5.2% of women with a regular cycle, 10.5% with more than 7 days of irregularity, 22.6% with more than two absent cycles, 13.1% that had undergone natural menopause, 16% with a hysterectomy, and 21.2% with a bilateral oophorectomy. The five most frequently reported symptoms were: physical and mental exhaustion (61%), irritability (54.2%), depressive mood (54.2%), sleeping problems (53.3%), joint and muscular discomfort (52.8%).</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions</italic> Differences in the prevalence and severity of MRS symptoms were observed for women from different Mexican regions. MRS symptoms were more frequent and severe in women who had undergone a bilateral oophorectomy or with more than two absent cycles.</p> </abstract>