Menopause : women's crucial phase in life

Abstract

Many authors agree that menopause is a natural process and an inevitable life transition associated with challenges and freedom. Inspite of this, still many authors argue that menopause is becoming more medicalised and controlled by modem medicine. Literature on menopause regarding its effects, perception of menopausal women about this crucial phase in life and remedies of coping with its effects are abundant. However there seem to be no literature in exploring these matters within the local setting. This instigated the author to carry out this study. The aims of this study were to explore the quality of life of women during menopause, to examine any degree of distress caused on women by menopausal symptoms and to monitor the impact of any menopausal symptoms on the overall quality of life of these women. Finally, the study seeks to investigate women's awareness of hormone replacement therapy and its effects, in relation to their quality of life. A quantitative study was undertaken where a stratified random sample (chosen from the public register) of 20 menopausal women between 50 - 55 years of age living in Victoria Gozo were selected and given a structured questionnaire to respond to. The data gathered revealed that menopausal women understudy experience a number of physiological and psychological effects, which in turn may influence their social life. Women understudy showed awareness of how to cope with menopausal effects. Moreover there seemed to be deficits in knowledge when dealing with the use of hormone replacement therapy. These findings are discussed in relation to the literature. Appropriate recommendations are also drawn from these results.