Age at menopause, motives for consultation and symptoms reported by 40–59-year-old Mexican women

Abstract

Objectives To assess the mean age at natural menopause, primary initial motives for consultation, symptoms and factors related to a more severe symptom profile using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) in a nationwide sample of middle-aged women in gynecological clinics in Mexico.

Methods A total of 4548 women, 40–59 years old were surveyed in gynecological clinics throughout all regions in Mexico.

Results The mean age at natural menopause was 47.9 ± 3.82 years. The primary initial motive for consultation was a preventive examination (40.3%). Significant differences (p values by ANOVA) were observed for the mean total and subscale MRS scores, with the exception of urogenital symptoms, between women in the sub-samples from different Mexican regions. The highest mean MRS total scores were observed for women living in the South (9.08 ± 8.20) and the Center-East (8.55 ± 6.74) regions. The national mean MRS total score was 8.19 ± 6.82. An MRS total score ≥ 17, which is considered severe, was observed for 5.2% of women with a regular cycle, 10.5% with more than 7 days of irregularity, 22.6% with more than two absent cycles, 13.1% that had undergone natural menopause, 16% with a hysterectomy, and 21.2% with a bilateral oophorectomy. The five most frequently reported symptoms were: physical and mental exhaustion (61%), irritability (54.2%), depressive mood (54.2%), sleeping problems (53.3%), joint and muscular discomfort (52.8%).

Conclusions Differences in the prevalence and severity of MRS symptoms were observed for women from different Mexican regions. MRS symptoms were more frequent and severe in women who had undergone a bilateral oophorectomy or with more than two absent cycles.

Key words::

• AGE AT NATURAL MENOPAUSE
• MEXICAN CLIMACTERIC WOMEN
• MRS SYMPTOMS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Preliminary results from the 2010–2011 ENACLIM-AMEC Survey were presented during the 13th World Congress on Menopause, 8–11 June, 2011 in Rome. All researchers worked pro bono. We thank Ms Itzel Sanchez, the Office Manager of the AMEC, for her assistance during this study.

Conflict of interest The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Source of funding This study was financed exclusively by the members of the Research Committee of the Mexican Association for the Study of the Climacteric listed as authors.

All authors and researchers worked pro bono. Reproduction and delivery of survey materials to researchers were financed by the Research Committee of the Mexican Association for the Study of the Climacteric (AMEC), which is a non-profit organization.

Appendix: ENACLIM-AMEC 2010–2011 Research Team

Jorge Casellas, Gynecology and Obstetrics Association, Ciudad Obregon; Luzmila Delgadillo, Gynecology and Obstetrics Association, Cd. Juarez; Agustin Escobar, Women and Children's Hospital, Tijuana; Juan de Dios Maldonado, Private practice, Monterrey; José de Jesús Montoya, Gynecology and Obstetrics Mexican Federation, Mazatlan; Rosa del Carmen Ochoa, Chiapas Health Institute, Tuxtla Gutierrez; Gumercindo G. Vázquez, Star Medica Hospital, Merida; Alfonso Jesús Zarain, Climacteric and Osteoporosis Clinic, Puebla; Alberto Alvarado G., Vice President of AMEC, Mexico City; Héctor M. Alvarez, Private practice, Morelia; Armando Montaño, General Hospital, Climacteric Clinic, Mexico City; Jorge L. Arzate, Private practice, Colima; Armando E. Carrera; Gynecology and Obstetrics Association, Tlaxcala; Manuel Chable, ISSEMYM Hospital, Toluca; Carlos Diaz, IMSS and ISSSTE Hospitals, La Paz; Gabriel Gallo, Private practice, Mexico City; Ma. Dolores Martinez, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Toluca; Ma. Lourdes Morato, ABC Hospital, Campus Santa Fe, Mexico City; Alfonso Murillo, Angeles Lomas Hospital, Huixquilucan; Marco A. Muhlia, Private practice, Toluca; Rocío Ortiz, Private Practice, Guadalajara; Imelda Hernández, Hospital Juárez, Mexico City; Daniel Rivera, Gynecology and Obstetrics Association, Ciudad Obregon; Miguel Angel Salceda, CAPPS Climacteric Clinic, Hermosillo; Jorge Rojas, General Hospital, Mexicali; Patricia Samano, ISSEMYM Hospital, Toluca; Fernando Sánchez, Angeles Hospital, Mexico City; J. Roberto Silvestri, National Institute of Perinatology Isidro espinoza de los Reyes, Mexico City; J. Porfirio Soto, Private practice, Acaponeta; José P. Topete, Private practice, Toluca; Alejandro Vázquez A., Clinic for Woman's Integral Medical Attention, AC, Naucalpan de Juárez; Carlos Salinas, Angeles Hospital, Puebla; J. Alberto Hernández-Bueno, Clinic for Woman's Integral Medical Attention, AC, Naucalpan de Juárez; Rosa E. Caballero, Gynecology and Obstetrics Association, Ciudad Obregon; Raquel del R. Ahumada, General Hospital, San Felipe del Progreso; Paloma Acevedo, Private practice, Cancun; Luz Ma. Bravo, Private Practice, Guadalajara.