Factors Affecting the Age in Normal Menopause and frequency of Menopausal Symptoms in Northern Iran

BACKGROUND The age in menopause and frequency of menopausal symptoms differ in different societies. This study evaluates the distribution of age at normal menopause, the frequency of menopausal symptoms and the associated factors in Babol, Northern Iran. METHODS In a community based study, the Symptom Score Card was used to assess the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms. Data from 1,397 women around 45-63 years old in Babol, northern Iran were enrolled. Subjects were selected using the standard cluster sampling techniques. RESULTS In urban areas, the median age at menopause was 48 years. The five most prevalent symptoms were irritabilities (72.1%), joint pains (70.6%), backache (61.2%), hot flushes (49.3%) and headache (49.2%) during the previous two weeks. More than 60% of women experienced hot flushes. Low educational level (OR=0.70; 95% CI= 0.54, 0.90), early age at menarche (OR=0.76; 95% CI=0.59, 0.99) and oral contraceptive use (OR=0.76; 95% CI=0.54, 0.97) were significantly associated with hot flushes. CONCLUSION It could be beneficial to provide evidences to manage menopausal women in Primary Health Care centers as a cost effective method. Emphasis should be placed on practical education of women to raise their knowledge on menopausal symptoms and ways of increasing their understanding on midlife experiences.