Feminine life-course of Estonian women born in 1937-47: a questionnaire survey

This study describes reproductive health, use of contraception, age at menopause, the prevalence of climacteric complaints, and hormone replacement therapy among Estonian women born in 1937-47.

A sample of 800 Estonian women born in 1937-47 was composed at random from the Estonian population registry in 1997. A postal questionnaire was sent to all participants.

Curettage before menopause (16.6%, 95%CI=13.5-20.0) and hysterectomy (11.7, 95%CI =9.0-14.8) were the most common gynecological operations. 66.7% (95%CI =62.5-70.6) of women had never used contraception, with the most popular method of contraception being intrauterine device (19.9%, 95%CI = 16.6-23.6). About three quarters of the respondents had had induced abortions, with 30.4% (95%CI =26.5-34.4) having had three or more abortions. After exclusion of women with surgical menopause (57 cases, 10.6%, 95% CI=8.1-13.5), women who were unable to assess the time of menopause (17 cases, 3.2%, 95%CI=1.8-5.0), and those who were still menstruating (73 cases, 13.6%, 95%CI = 10.8-16.8), the average age of menopause (based on 388 study subjects) was 50.3 (95%CI =49.9-50.6) years. The prevalence of climacteric complaints was as follows: hot flushes 51.0% (95%CI =46.7-55.3), night sweats 44.1% (95%CI =39.9-48.4%), depression/irritability 35.6% (95%CI =31.5-39.8), bleeding problems 10.1% (95%CI=7.6-12.9). Hormone replacement therapy was currently being used by 8 respondents (1.5%, 95%CI=0.6-2.9). Previous hormone replacement therapy use was reported by 4 (0.7%, 95% CI =0.2 2.9) of the women.

The feminine life-course of women born in Estonia in 1937-47 is characterized by a high number of induced abortions and hysterectomies, and relatively little contraceptive use. Hormone replacement therapy use is very low.