MENOPAUSAL AGE OF GHANAIAN WOMEN

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine the age of menopause among Ghanaian women. METHOD: A prospective survey involving 152 women in Akosombo District in Ghana was conducted. A questionnaire was developed including: age at menopause, symptoms of hot flushes or flashes, palpitations, anxiety, sleeplessness, headaches, frequency of urine, depression, irritability, tiredness, weight gain, poor memory and attitudes to coitus. RESULT: Of 152 women interviewed, 29 were excluded because they were not sure of their birth dates and 123 women were analyzed The mean and median ages at menopause were 48.05 years +/- 3.62 S.D. and 48 years respectively. The major symptoms at menopause were tiredness 79.90%, sleeplessness 71.0%, palpitations 63.7%, weight gain 61.8%, hot flushes 56.5%, and irritability 56.5%. However, 85.6% of the women who experienced hot flushes reported this to be the most unpleasant. CONCLUSION: 1. The age at menopause in Ghanaian population was 48.05 +/- 3.62. 2. Tiredness, sleeplessness, palpitations, weight gain, hot flushes, irritability, anxiety and headache were the major symptoms at menopause. 3. Hot flushes or flashes was the most disturbing symptom at menopause.