Asian American and Pacific Islander
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Reproduction and Maternal Health

Menopause

What is it?
Why is it important?
Resources
References

 

What Is It?

Menopause marks the end of menstruation and also the end of reproductive capabilities of women. In the United States , this typically occurs around age 50 years. Western symptoms of menopause usually include hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, mood changes, vaginal dryness, and palpitations.

Perimenopause is the period spanning two to eight years before menopause and continues one year after the last menstrual cycle. Women typically experience irregular periods with hot flashes and vaginal dryness. These symptoms vary, depending on the woman.

 

Why Is It Important?

When examining menopausal symptoms in Asians and Asian Americans, research has shown that Asian women were less likely to have menopausal symptoms that traditionally characterize White women. This has been attributed to cultural differences. Asian women may regard this transition as an honor or as a relief and experience fewer symptoms.

In a study comparing Japanese women (ages 45 to 55 years) to American women, 10.3% of Japanese women reported depression while 35.9% of Americans had depressive symptoms. This was also evident with difficulty sleeping, 11.7% of Japanese women and 30.6% of American women; irritability, 6% Japanese and 29.9% American; and lack of energy, 11.5% for Japanese and 38.1% for American women. These differences may be due to different diets, with Asian women consuming more soy products.

 

Resources

• Asian American Health
http://asianamericanhealth.nlm.nih.gov/intro.html

• National Women's Health Resource Center – Menopause
http://www.healthywomen.org/content.cfm?L1=3&L2=52

• Planned Parenthood - Menopause
http://www.plannedparenthood.com/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/femalesexualhealth
/pub-menopause.xml

• The South Asian Women's NETwork
http://www.sawnet.org/

 

References

• Avis, NE , Stellato, R, Crawford, S, Bromberger, J, Ganz, P, Cain, V, & Kagawa-Singer, M. (2001). Is there a menopausal syndrome? Menopausal status and symptoms across racial/ethnic groups. Social Science & Medicine, 52 (3), 345 – 356

• Grizzard, T & Barbieri, RL. (n.d.). Cross-cultural considerations in menopausal women. UpToDate. Retrieved on April 4, 2005, from http://www.utdol.com.proxy.lib.umich.edu/application/topic.asp?file=r_endo_f/21875&
type=A&selectedTitle=4~68

• Im, EO. (2003). Symptoms experienced during menopausal transition: Korean women in South Korea and the United States. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 14 (4), 321 – 328