The menopausal transition in Mongolia

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Cultural Anthropology
• Sociology

Background:

• Menopause is a significant life transition for women worldwide.
• Understanding cultural variations in menopause experience is crucial for healthcare.
• Limited research exists on menopause among Mongolian women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experience of menopause among Mongolian women.
• To identify common menopausal symptoms and their prevalence.
• To understand the cultural language and meaning of menopause in Mongolia.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional pilot study utilizing semistructured interviews and focus groups.
• Data collected from 17 women in Ulaanbaatar and rural villages.
• Open-ended questions explored symptoms and cultural interpretations of menopause.

Main Results:

• Hot flashes (71%), anger (47%), and stress (29%) were the most reported symptoms.
• Other symptoms included fatigue, shortness of breath, and facial tingling (badairakh).
• Women used terms like 'tsevershilt' and 'tsevershikh' (cleansing) to describe menopause, associating it with the removal of 'bad' blood.

Conclusions:

• Menopause is not a taboo topic in Mongolia.
• Symptom prevalence, like hot flashes, aligns with global patterns.
• Unique cultural concepts, such as 'tsevershilt,' offer specific insights into the Mongolian menopausal transition.