title: Menopause in Morocco: symptomatology and medical management.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the frequency of menopausal symptoms and patterns of recourse to medical care in Rabat, Morocco.
  
  
  METHODS
  Face to face interviews with a representative sample of 300 women aged 45-55 years; information was collected on socio-demographic variables, reproductive history, use of health care, symptom checklist, and medical management of menopause.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most frequent complaints are fatigue and hot flashes, each reported by 61% of women, headaches (57%), joint pain (54%), anxiety (44%) and irritability (42%). Hot flashes, but not cardiovascular symptoms, are statistically associated with menopausal status. Only 5% of women in the sample take hormones, and 4% calcium; 13% continue to take contraceptives. The frequency of some symptoms and the use of health care for menopause are influenced by socio-economic factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reports of hot flashes and joint pains are relatively high, but the frequency of use of medical services for menopause is low.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gender and Women's Health, Harvard University, 665 Avenue of the Arts, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Carla Makhlouf
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Obermeyer
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schulein
authors.forename: Najia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hajji
authors.forename: Mustapha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azelmat
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*