Women's Knowledge of Menopause

Abstract

Menopause is defined as the cessation of the menstrual cycle for twelve consecutive months. This represents also the ovarian function cessation. The termination of ovarian hormonal function has numerous consequential effects on a woman’s body producing various symptoms. A review of nursing literature revealed that many healthcare providers do not discuss menopausal symptoms with their premenopausal patients, in particular with regards to preventative care to reduce potential for life altering outcomes. This descriptive study was designed to determine the knowledge of women in Gwinnett County and North Georgia about menopause. Data was collected using a survey style questionnaire with a convenience sample of sixty one women all between the ages of forty to sixty. In this presentation, the authors will present their findings and conclusions. Keywords: Menopause, Symptoms, Knowledge