Postmenopausal Experiences in Nigerian Women

A questionnaire study of 358 randomly selected post menopausal women in the Lagos metropolis was undertaken. Their menopausal symptoms and manner of coping with adverse side effects were enquired about. Questions were also asked about the ages respondents started and stopped menstruation as well as their type of menopause (natural or surgical). The present ages, marital status and the educational background of the respondents were also established. Among educated respondents the most common menopausal symptoms reported were hot flashes (83.7%) and vaginal dryness (49.0%) while in uneducated respondents the most common symptoms were dizziness (24.4%) and headache (12%). Other less common symptoms reported by the educated group were irritability, insomnia, headache and dizziness. These symptoms reportedly present mildly or moderately. Findings in the present study also revealed that very few Nigerian women use HRT in the management of menopausal symptoms, and even in this group none indicated any adverse effect of HRT. There is a strong implication that educational background may play an important role in attitude and awareness of the changes at menopause. In the present survey it was evident from the responses of postmenopausal women with little or no education that most of them were ignorant of these changes or could not admit to the experiences. Public education on the period of menopause is therefore recommended as a means of helping the uneducated to manage and better cope with the inevitable changes and experiences at menopause. KEY WORDS: menopausal symptoms, hormone replacement therapy. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 72-7