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Assessment of climacteric symptoms among Filipino women ages 40 years and above seen at a tertiary hospital in Metro Manila

Krystle R. Calimbas, MD and Catherine Irene L. Maceren-Medina, MD, FPOGS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Manila Doctors Hospital

Background: The common climacteric symptoms experienced by women 40 years and above can be classified into vasomotor, physical, psychological and sexual complaints. This may be associated with sociodemographic factors. The timing of menopause is also believed to be associated with sociodemographic factors.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of climacteric symptoms experienced by women ages 40 years and above seen at a Tertiary Hospital in Metro Manila.

Methods: By using Modified Menopause Rating Scale questionnaire (Rahman, et al.), 360 Filipino women aged 40 years and above were interviewed and were asked of their sociodemographic data and presence of climacteric symptoms (divided into somatic, psychological and urogenital domain).

Results: Majority of the participants had menopause at age 51, with mean age at menopause of 48.4 + 3.58 (SD) years. The most prevalent symptom reported was joint and muscular discomfort (65-75%) and this was more common among perimenopausal women. This was also the most common reason for absence at work of the participants. There was no significant association found between sociodemographic factors and climacteric symptoms, as well as with the timing of menopause.

Conclusions: Unlike other studies in different countries, no significant association was found on this study between sociodemographic factor and climacteric symptoms. Sociodemographic factors also did not show any significant association with the timing of menopause.

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