Prof. R. Renuka
College of Nursing, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of
Paramedical Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu
Corresponding Author Email: renuganath@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Menopause
is a universal and irreversible part of the overall ageing process involving a
women’s reproductive system, after which she no longer menstruates. The
transition from a potentially reproductive to non reproductive state is the
result of reduction in female hormonal production by the ovaries. The
transition is normally not sudden or abrupt, tends to occur over a period of
years, and is a natural consequence of ageing. However, for some women, the
accompanying signs and effects that can occur during the menopause transition
years can significantly disrupt the daily activities and sense of well - being.
The objectives were to identify the various menopausal symptoms among women, to
assess the type of physical activity performed by women and to assess the
relationship between the physical activity and menopausal symptoms. A
Quantitative approach with Non- experimental co-relational study design was
adopted for this study. The study population comprised of 50 women who attained
menopause and within the age group of 41-55 years. A modified standardized
International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the physical
activity and a self structured questionnaire was used to assess the menopausal
symptoms among women who attained menopause. Interview method was used to
collect the data. The data reveals that 38% of selected samples have mild
menopausal symptoms, 38% have moderate menopausal symptoms and 24% have severe
menopausal symptoms. Among the heavy workers 59.09% have mild symptoms, 31.81%
have moderate symptoms and 9.09% have severe symptoms. Among the moderate
workers 27.77% have mild symptoms, 55.55% have symptoms and 16.66% have severe
symptoms. Among sedentary workers 10% have mild symptoms, 20% have moderate
symptoms and 70% have severe symptoms. c2 test was used to assess the relationship between
physical activity and menopausal symptoms. The calculated c2 value 20.49 is
greater than the table value, 9.49 at 0.05 level of significance. Thus the
result proves that women doing regular physical activity have less severity of
menopausal symptoms.
KEYWORDS: Menopause
, Menopausal symptoms and Physical activity
INTRODUCTION:
A female child born into the
world take over many roles in her life, as a daughter, a young woman, a
partner, child bearer and child rearer and finally
old age, where an array of physiological and psychological experiences add the
value to one’s life. The “mysteries” of a woman’s body – puberty, menstruation,
lactation and menopause are seen as times of power and growth. The change of
life, the end of fertility, the beginning of freedom, whatever people call it,
menopause is a unique and personal experience for every woman.
The joy of menopause is the
world’s best kept secret and inorder to have the joy
the women should have the positive factor in her life to pass beyond the
monsters that guard its gate.
NEED FOR THE STUDY:
Menopause is a normal event in a
woman’s life. It occurs when the ovaries naturally decrease their production of
sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone. The
occurrence of menopause is different for each woman. In normal women, menopause
occurs somewhere between 45 to 50 years of age. In this process it combines
physical, psychological and emotional transitions. Physiological changes
include hot flushes, joint pain, night sweats, palpitation, weight gain and
hair loss. Psychological changes include anxiety, mood swings, irritability,
difficulty in concentrating and forgetfulness.
Many studies suggested that
physical activity influences the menopausal symptoms. Steriani
Elavsky (2009) conducted a study on 'Physical
activity, menopause and quality of life: The role of affect and self worth
across time'. The objective of the study was to examine the long term effects
of physical activity on menopause related quality of life and tested the
mediating effects of physical self worth and positive affect in this
relationship. The method used for this study is randomized controlled trial.
They concluded that the physical activity and effects on quality of life are in
part mediated by intermediate psychological outcomes and that physical activity
can have long term benefits for women undergoing the menopausal transition.
Skrzypulec et al (2010) conducted a study
to assess the influence of physical activity on climacteric symptoms in
menopausal women. The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship
between physical activity level and climacteric symptoms in menopausal women.
The study was conducted on 336 healthy women aged 45-55 years. The study
concluded that physical activity is associated with less menopausal symptoms.
It is important to encourage regular physical activity as it is beneficial to
improve health and relieve menopausal symptoms.
Adriana Coutinho
de et al (2011) conducted a study to assess the “influence of habitual physical
activity on the symptoms of climacterium, menopause
and the quality of life of middle aged women”. The main aim was to analyse the influence of the duration of habitual physical
activity on the symptoms of climacterium, menopause
and on several domains of the health related quality of life in middle aged
women. Symptoms of menopause, quality of life and physical activity were
assessed through the Kupper man menopausal index,
world health organization quality of life brief version questionnaire and
international physical activity questionnaire respectively. They concluded that
the habitual practices of the least moderate intensity for 60 mts/ day has a favorable effect on climacterium,
menopause symptoms and on quality of life particularly on habitual symptoms,
psychological and social domains.
A study was conducted by Ana C.G Canario et al (2012) to assess the impact of physical
activity on menopausal symptoms in middle aged women. The objective of the
study was to evaluate the influence of physical activity on climacteric
symptoms among middle aged women in Brazil. Population - based sample of women
aged 40-65 years were recruited from Natal, Brazil. Climacteric symptoms were
assessed using the menopause rating scale and the Blatt-
Kupperman menopausal index. The level of physical
activity was assessed via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.
They concluded that physical activity improved climacteric symptoms among
middle - aged women in Brazil.
OBJECTIVES:
ØTo identify the various menopausal symptoms
among women
ØTo assess the type of physical activity
performed by women
ØTo assess the relationship between the
physical activity and menopausal symptoms
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Research approach and design
Quantitative approach with Non-
experimental co-relational study design was adopted for this study.
Setting
The study was conducted at Avarampalayam, Coimbatore
Variables
Independent variable
Physical activity
Dependent variable
Menopausal symptoms
Population
The study population comprised
of women who attained menopause and within the age group of 41-55 years at Avarampalayam, Coimbatore.
Sample and sampling technique
Total sample size was 50. A convenient
sampling technique was used to select 50 samples.
Criteria for sample selection
Inclusive criteria
vWomen who attained menopause and within the
age group of 41-55 years
vWomen present at the time of data
collection
vWomen who are willing to participate
Exclusive criteria
vMenopausal women with chronic illness
Instruments and tools for data collection
A modified standardized
International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the physical
activity and a self structured questionnaire was used to assess the menopausal
symptoms among women who attained menopause. Interview method was used to
collect the data.
Description of tool
The tool consists of 3 parts.
Part
A : Demographic
variable
Part
B : Modified
International Physical Activity Questionnaire which consist of 10 statements.
The modification was done in the scoring pattern. The scoring pattern consists
of three categories and each category has more than one criterion, of which one
criterion from each category was used for scoring.
Scoring
<2.30
hrs/day - Sedentary workers
2.30 - 7.30 hrs/day - Moderate workers
>7.30 hrs /day - Heavy workers
Part
C: Self structured questionnaire to assess the menopausal symptoms which
consist of 20 statements
Scoring
No symptoms - 0
Mild
symptoms - 1
Moderate
symptoms- 2
Severe
symptoms - 3
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
Distribution of Age
Data reveals that about 24% of
the menopausal women belong to 41-45 years of age, 36% of the menopausal women
belong to 46-50 years of age and 20% of the women belong to 51-55 years of age.
Distribution of Age at Menopause
About 44% of the women
attained menopause at the age of 41- 45
years of age, 52% of women attained menopause at 46-50 years of age and 4% of
women attained menopause at 51-55 years of age.
Figure 1- Distribution of Age at Menopause
Distribution of Educational Status
The data reveals that 46% of the
selected women were illiterate, 40% women had primary level education, 12% had
secondary level education and 2% had higher secondary education.
Distribution of Occupation
The data reveals that 24% of the
selected samples were housewives and 76% were working women.
Assessment of Physical activity
The data reveals that 20% of the
selected women were sedentary workers, 36% were moderate workers and 44% were
engaged in heavy works.
Assessment of Menopausal symptoms
The data reveals that 38% of
selected samples have mild menopausal symptoms, 38% have moderate menopausal
symptoms and 24% have severe menopausal symptoms.
Among the heavy workers 59.09%
have mild symptoms, 31.81% have moderate symptoms and 9.09% have severe
symptoms. Among the moderate workers 27.77% have mild symptoms, 55.55% have
moderate symptoms and 16.66% have severe symptoms. Among sedentary workers 10%
have mild symptoms, 20% have moderate symptoms and 70% have severe symptoms.
Relationship between physical activity and menopausal symptoms
c2 test was used to assess the relationship
between physical activity and menopausal symptoms. The calculated c2 value 20.49 is greater than the table
value, 9.49 at 0.05 level of significance. Thus the hypothesis, "there is
a significant relation between physical activity and menopausal symptoms"
is accepted. The result proves that women doing regular physical activity have
less severity of menopausal symptoms.
Table 1- Assessment of
Menopausal Symptoms
|
Nature of Work |
Mild symptoms |
Moderate
symptoms |
Severe symptoms |
Total |
|||
|
|
No. of
Participants |
% |
No. of
Participants |
% |
No. of
Participants |
% |
|
|
Heavy worker |
13 |
59.09 |
7 |
31.81 |
2 |
9.09 |
22 |
|
Moderate worker |
5 |
27.77 |
10 |
55.55 |
3 |
16.66 |
18 |
|
Sedentary worker |
1 |
10 |
2 |
20 |
7 |
70 |
10 |
Table 2 Association between Physical
Activity And Menopausal Symptoms
|
Physical activity |
No. of Participants |
c2 value |
|
Heavy worker |
22 |
20.49 |
|
Moderate worker |
18 |
|
|
Sedentary worker |
10 |
CONCLUSION:
The study was undertaken to
assess the impact of physical activity on menopausal symptoms among women. The
result shows that women doing strenuous physical activity have less severity of
menopausal symptoms. This shows that physical activity has significant
influence on reduction of severity of menopausal symptoms.
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Received on 10.09.2014 Modified on 18.09.2014
Accepted on 25.09.2014 © A&V Publication all right reserved
Asian J. Nur.
Edu. and Research 5(1): Jan.-March 2015; Page 78-81
DOI: 10.5958/2349-2996.2015.00017.8