A SURVEY ON THE SOMATOVEGETATIVE SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN A VILLAGE OF KOLLAM DISTRICT IN KERALA

Abstract

Menopause is a universal phenomenon and an unavoidable physiological transition process in a woman’s life which marks the end of women’s reproductive capacity. Unlike men women are having a more complex and stressful aging process, resulting from hormonal changes that occur during the transition period. The present study was a cross sectional survey study done in 250 menopausal subjects with an aim to assess the somato-vegetative symptoms that is mentioned in the menopausal rating scale (MRS). It is observed that out of the 4 somato-vegetative symptoms (hot flushes, heart discomfort, sleep problems and joint and muscular discomfort) joint and muscular discomfort is the most frequent symptom and while considering the severity using the S-score it is observed that 37% of subjects had moderately severe somato-vegetative symptoms.