A survey on the climacteric symptoms in Korean women

Abstract

This study describes the climacteric symptoms experienced by Korean women during the peri- and postmenopausal periods, and examines relationships between the levels of bothersome menopausal symptoms and life-style behavior factors including smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, and diet. For this cross-sectional survey, 2,807 naturally postmenopausal women aged between 41-65 years living in 7 metropolitan areas and 6 provinces in Korea were recruited from December 1998 to May 1999. A menopause-related characteristic questionnaire, a climacteric symptoms/problems checklist, and a menopause-specific quality-of-life questionnaire were used to measure menopause-related information, peri- and postmenopausal symptoms, and levels of bothersome menopausal symptoms. Korean women in both peri- and postmenopausal periods most frequently indicated experiencing hot flashes, backaches, fatigue, and memory lapse. Based on the life-style behavior factors analysis, no differences were found in the levels associated with bothersome vasomotor symptoms. Only alcohol use and a preference for wheat were associated with levels of physical symptom's.