Background: Menopause has now become a predominant subject of study as the life expectancy is globally on an increase. The average life expectancy at birth for females in India is 69.9 years. The average age at menopause ranges from 45 to 53 years both in the developed and developing countries. Age at natural menopause is determined by factors which influence the extent of dwindling of ovarian follicle reserve, and it includes both genetic and modifiable factors.
Objectives: The present study was conducted to deduce the mean age at menopause and to find the factors affecting age at natural menopause among postmenopausal attendees of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Outpatient Department at Sultania Zanana Hospital, Bhopal.
Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study conducted for a period of 1 year starting from July 1st 2015, to June 30, 2016. Data were collected using Systematic Random Sampling from 232 cases of natural menopause and entered into MS Excel 2007. Analysis was performed with Epi-Info 7.2. Unpaired t-test was used to find the association between age at menarche and age at natural menopause. Chi-square applied as statistical test of significance for the association between age at natural menopause and qualitative variables. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
Results: The present study revealed a mean age of 46.77 ± 3.52 SD years at natural menopause. Association between age at menarche and age at natural menopause found not to be statistically significant (unpaired t-test). Statistically significant correlation was found between age at natural menopause and factors such as marital status, living alone, socioeconomic status, tobacco addiction, body mass index, psych-social problems, body mass index (BMI), psycho-social problems, OCP intake etc.
Conclusion: Menopause whether occurring early or late in life, both are responsible for causing adverse health effects among women. Thus, it becomes utmost important to identify the factors influencing the onset of menopause.
Key words: Menopause; Post-menopausal Females; Cross-sectional Study; Bhopal
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