Health implications of menopause: quality in longevity?

Dipti Govil, Indian Institute of Health Management Research

According to National Family Health Survey (2005-06), 18 percent Indian women, between ages 30-49, have undergone menopause/hysterectomy. They are likely to face numerous health problems and increase in life expectancy has added more complexity to it. This paper attempts to understand the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and menopausal syndromes among post-menopausal women. Results from a community-based retrospective study on 247 menopausal women from India show, menopause poses a big challenge to the healthy aging of a woman. Indian health system primarily concentrates on the needs of women in their reproductive span. Very little focus is on health needs of women outside reproduction. With the increase in life expectancy, population in the elder ages is escalating. Along with, various concerns associated with the health of elderly people are emerging. Hence, it is time to also focus on emerging health issues of middle aged women so as to fill the know-do gap.