title: Perceptions, attitudes, and self-management of natural menopausal symptoms in ghanaian women.
abstract: The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate menopausal symptoms is associated with risks of cardiovascular and thromboembolic diseases and breast cancer. In this qualitative study, we investigated how women in low-resource settings manage menopausal symptoms without HRT. We interviewed 34 menopausal Ghanaian women about their sources of information, perceptions, attitudes, and self-management methods for alleviating menopausal symptoms. The majority of the women used a combination of nonhormonal medications and complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM), including dietary modifications, exercise, and other lifestyle changes to effectively manage menopausal symptoms. Sources of information about menopause influenced participants' perceptions, attitudes, and self-management choices.
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA. ebelechukwu.odiari@yale.edu
authors.forename: Ebelechukwu A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Odiari
authors.forename: Angelina N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D019584:Hot Flashes; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008019:Life Style; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires