Assessment of menopausal symptoms during perimenopause and postmenopause in tertiary care hospital

Background: Issues related to menopausal symptoms are very complicated in terms of experience, severity, and dynamics of the symptoms. Studies have shown that these symptoms vary among individuals depending on the menopausal stage, ethnicity, geographical location, and other factors.  Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) is an effective tool to assess the severity of these symptoms. Aim: This study was done to compare the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms during peri- and postmenopause using the MRS. Subjects and Methods: Ninety-two perimenopausal women and 95 postmenopausal women who attended Gynecology out patient department ( OPD) for treatment of menopausal complaints were assessed using the MRS questionnaire before starting therapy. Informed consent and ethics committee clearance was obtained prior to the study. Response was recorded and statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 17.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). Result: The mean total MRS score was comparable in both the groups. The mean psychological score was significantly higher in perimenopausal group in comparison to postmenopausal group (P<0.01). The mean urogenital score was higher in postmenopausal women (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Fatigue, depression, anxiety, hot flashes, and sexual disturbances were the common symptoms that appeared first during the perimenopausal phase. As the age advanced and women progressed in the postmenopausal stage, the psychological symptoms of depression, irritability, and sleep disturbances decreased; while the urogenital symptoms, fatigue, and generalized body ache became more prominent.