Menopause in Morocco: symptomatology and medical management.
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.
Obermeyer
Carla Makhlouf
CM
Department of Gender and Women's Health, Harvard University, 665 Avenue of the Arts, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Schulein
Michelle
M
Hajji
Najia
N
Azelmat
Mustapha
M
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*