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Symptoms, menopause status, and country differences: a comparative analysis from DAMES
Carla Makhlouf Obermeyer1, David Reher, Matilda Saliba
1Department of Population and International Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA. coberm@hsph.harvard.edu
Menopause (New York, N.Y.)
|May 18, 2007
Summary
Menopausal symptom frequencies vary by country, with hot flashes, joint pain, and fatigue being common globally. Both biological factors like menopause status and cultural factors such as country of residence significantly influence symptom experience.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Cross-Cultural Studies
- Women's Health
Background:
- Menopausal symptom reporting varies significantly across different global regions.
- Understanding these variations is crucial for effective women's healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the frequency of menopausal symptoms in Lebanon, Morocco, Spain, and the United States.
- To determine the influence of menopause status, country, and other factors on symptom reporting.
Main Methods:
- Surveys of ~300 women aged 45-55 in each of the four countries.
- Data collected on demographics, health, menopause variables, and attitudes.
- Statistical and textual analyses used to examine symptom differentials.
Main Results:
- Symptom frequencies and burden differ across countries, though hot flashes are common.
- Joint pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and emotional symptoms are most frequent.
- Menopause status, smoking, schooling, employment, and age are associated with symptom frequency.
Conclusions:
- Core menopausal symptoms are similar globally, but their expression varies.
- Both biological (menopause status) and cultural (country of residence) factors shape symptom experience.
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