' School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia
^Faculty of Pharmacy , International Islamic University, Malaysia
Menopause, which marks the end of reproductive life, characterizes the penultimate stage in a woman's life. It is a stage of life that all women go through and is simply a period of adjustment to lower hormone levels in women's body. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on convenient sampling of people who lives in Kuantan, Pahang. The questionnaire included questions about symptoms and health risks in menopause, benefits and risks of HRT and source of HRT information.
The response rate was 67.1 %. More than 60% believed that hot flushes, mood swings, sleep disturbances and fatigue are the main symptoms of menopause. They were more likely to believe that osteoporosis (75%) and vaginal discomfort (75%) are the health risks in menopausal woman rather than heart disease (23.6%) and Alzheimer's disease (18.1%).
Nearly all knew about common age for woman to menopause and involvement of estrogen hormone in menopause. In general 69% had heard of HRT. Knowledge towards long- term risks of HRT were varied, weight gain (46%) was mentioned more often, as compared to breast cancer (30%) and endometrium cancer (26%). The main preferred source for further information, was hospital 26%, private clinic 14% and pharmacy 10%. Forty- four (44%) will consider taking HRT in the future and 21% said no to HRT. Knowledge towards long- term risks of HRT were varied, weight gain (46%) were mentioned more often, compared to breast cancer (30%) and endometrium cancer (26%). The main preferred source for further information, was hospital 26%, private clinic 14% and pharmacy 10%. Forty- four (44%) will consider taking HRT in the future and 21% said no to HRT.
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