The prevalence of symptoms in menopausal women in the Far East: Singapore segment

Abstract

Questionnaires (4000) on experience of menopausal symptoms in Singaporean women aged 40-55 were distributed by students. In total, 524 envelopes were returned (13.1%) and of these 420 were analyzed. Of these, 366 were classified as either pre-, peri- or postmenopausal on the basis of their menstrual patterns. Menopausal symptoms in this sample of Singaporean women were, in general, similar to those experienced in the West though the prevalence was low compared to European studies. No significant differences in individual symptoms were found between the 3 groups but, taken together, symptoms were significantly highest in the perimenopausal and lowest in the other menopausal groups. In the postmenopausal group 50% had been menopausal for at least 1 year at 50.5 years.