Features of menopause and menopausal age in Nigerian women

The age of menopause and the clinical features of menopause were investigated by questionnaire survey in 563 Nigerian women of Yoruba descent who have been menopausal for at least 5 years. The mean and median ages of menopause were 48.4 and 48.0 years, respectively. No relationship could be established between menopausal age and various biosocial factors such as age of menarche, social class, parity, smoking and place of residence. The commonest menopause related symptoms were joint pains and hot flush and only 42% of them still practiced sexual intercourse. These findings when compared to those from other populations indicate that there is need for more work on menopause in Nigerian women.