Age of Onset of Menopause and Factors Associated with Common Symptoms Among Women in Lusaka District, Zambia

Abstract

Background: Menstrual periods do not normally end suddenly; instead, there is frequently a period of transitional changes before and following the cessation of the period. Women typically endure physiological changes as a result of hormonal fluctuations, which impact their physical, emotional, and quality of life. Therefore, this study explored menopausal associated problems occurring in women residing in Lusaka, Zambia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of six months on 171 women aged 40 – 60 years old who were bedsitters for a hospital patient or visited the hospital. The univariate (unadjusted) and multivariable (adjusted) logistic regression using backwards stepwise analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the most common symptom women face after menopause reporting at 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI).

Results:  The study revealed that the average age of menopause onset was 47.43 ± 4.46 years, with 75% of the women experiencing menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. Women complained of back pain (66.1%), headache (45%), hot flushes (30.6%), and mood changes (24.0%). Widowed (AOR 2.94; 95 % CI: 1.24–6.63), Obese (AOR 3.19; 95 % CI: 1.16 – 8.73), overweight (AOR 3.91; 95 % CI: 1.31 – 11.73) and early menopause (AOR 0.35, 95% CI: 0.13 – 0.92) were associated with back pain.

Conclusion: Women experience a variety of menopausal and postmenopausal problems like back pain, headache, hot flushes and mood changes which will require interventions to improve the health of women.