[Actual experiences of menopause in 342 women]

The objective of this study is to assess the actual experiences of menopause in menopaused women without hormone replacement therapy. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 342 women who had natural menopause. The target population was recruited from subjects attending the Departement of Gynécologie-Obstétrique du CHU TOKOIN from November 1996 to October 1997. All women investigated presented clinical signs related to menopause. 51.5% found its symptoms embarrassing. 53.8% of the women enjoyed their menopause. The difference between the two groups of women having accepted their menopausal status or not, where the menstrual period were embarrassing or not (p = 0.0001) and were the climateric symptoms were embarrassing or not (p = 0.0001) were significant. Agreement to undertake a hormone replacement therapy were given by 29.8% of women. In spite of the climateric symptoms, menopaused women hardly accept their status and few were available for a hormone replacement therapy.