Menopause and the influence of culture: another gap for Indigenous Australian women?

Abstract

BackgroundThere is great variation in experience of menopause in women around the world. The purpose of this study was to review current understanding of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) women’s experiences of menopause. The literature pertaining to the perception, significance and experience of menopause from a number of cultural groups around the world has been included to provide context for why Indigenous women’s experience might be important for their health and differ from that reported in other studies of Australian women and menopause.MethodsA search of databases including Ovid Medline, Pubmed, Web of Science, AUSThealth, AMED, EMBASE, Global Health and PsychINFO was undertaken from January 2011 to April 2011 using the search terms menopause, Indigenous, Aboriginal, attitudes, and perceptions and repeated in September 2012.ResultsConsiderable research shows significant variation across cultures in the menopausal experience. Biological, psychological, social and cultural factors are associated with either positive or negative attitudes, perceptions or experiences of menopause in various cultures. Comparative international literature shows that neither biological nor social factors alone are sufficient to explain the variation in experiences of the menopausal transition. However, a strong influence of culture on the menopause experience can be found. The variation in women’s experience of menopause indicates that different cultural groups of women may have different understandings and needs during the menopausal transition. While considerable literature exists for Australian women as a whole, there has been little investigation of Australian Indigenous women, with only two research studies related to Indigenous women’s experiences of menopause identified.ConclusionsDifferences in biocultural experience of menopause around the world suggest the importance of biocultural research. For the Indigenous women of Australia, the relative contribution of culture, social disadvantage and poor general health compared with non-Indigenous women to the experience of menopause is unknown. As such, further research and understanding of the experience of Indigenous women around Australia is needed. This information could assist individuals, families, cultural groups and healthcare providers to enhance management and support for Indigenous Australian women.

The Effects of an Educational Intervention Based on the Health Belief Model and Self-Regulation on Women’s Eating Behaviors During Menopausal Transition

“…Besides, they experience more physiological problems than males. One of these problems is menopausal transition (MT) (2). During MT, a female moves from her reproductive age towards menopause (3).…”

“…For instance, a study from Iran showed that 59.8% of middleaged females suffered from overweightness and obesity (2). Another study revealed that menopausal females consumed limited amounts of calcium and dairy products (7).…”

“…They are the most principal route for healthy lifestyle education and promotion (1). Therefore, promoting their health not only improves their own quality of life, yet also has different positive outcomes for families and societies (2).…”

“…Menopausal Transition starts at the age of 35 to 39 and lasts 5 to 15 years. During MT, estrogen level decreases and women thus experience different health problems, such as vasomotor symptoms, excessive vaginal bleeding, severer premenstrual syndrome, mood changes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer (4), and reduced quality of life (2). ered as the cornerstone of health-related programs for middle-aged females.…”

“…ered as the cornerstone of health-related programs for middle-aged females. According to the food and agriculture organization of the United Nations, healthy eating can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 25%, diabetes mellitus by 50%, and cancer, infections, and respiratory problems by 20% (2).…”