Investigating Menopausal Symptoms and Healthcare-Seeking Practices Among Midlife Women in Malaysia.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70672/1tmsng34Keywords:
Malaysian women, Menopausal symptoms, MenopauseAbstract
Background: Menopause is a natural biological process marked by the cessation of menstruation and a decline in oestrogen levels, often accompanied by various physical and psychological symptoms. The experience of menopause can differ across populations due to cultural and dietary factors. However, effective management of menopausal symptoms is crucial for improving quality of life. Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms among midlife Malaysian women and to explore their healthcare-seeking practices.
Research Method: A cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted among 300 Malaysian women aged 40-60, residing in Ipoh, Perak. A non-probability sampling method using combination of purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit the study participants. A structured online questionnaire was used to assess demographic information, severity of menopausal symptoms, and the management approaches adopted. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics via SPSS software. Results: In this study, most respondents (39.0%) reported that their menopausal symptoms caused mild problems, while 35.7% experienced moderate problems, and 13.0% experienced severe to complete problems. The most common symptoms included joint pain (74%), mood swings (72.3%), and forgetfulness (70%). Only 12.7% of respondents reported using any treatment for menopause, with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) being the most common (20 out of 39 respondents). Approximately 34.7% of respondents sought medical consultation for their symptoms. Conclusion: The study highlights that a significant number of Malaysian women experience mild to moderate menopausal symptoms, with physical and psychosocial issues being the most common. Despite the prevalence of symptoms, only a small proportion of women sought treatment. These findings emphasise the need for increased awareness and healthcare support to improve the quality of life for menopausal women. Future research should investigate cultural and societal factors influencing treatment-seeking behaviour.
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