Menopausal transition and postmenopausal health problems: a review on its bio-cultural perspectives

Abstract

This paper documents health problems faced by menopausal and postmenopausal women. These women constitute a sizable proportion of India's population though there exist no health care programmes to cater their specific health needs and health vulnerabilities arose due to menopausal transition. Researchers have generally tried to determine age at menopause and a few have explored psychosomatic problems experienced by them. Abrupt changes in hormone levels among women generally bring out several physical infirmities which have hardly been the interest of research. Studies on menopausal and postmenopausal health problems and their bio-cultural correlates are warranted. Efforts should be made to understand the process of aging among women in relation to menopausal transition. Cross-cultural differences in coping mechanisms to minimise the health problems arose due to menopausal transition are important to study. This review argues provision of culturally appropriate health care programs to facilitate easier menopausal transition and to ensure healthy postmenopausal life for women.