Menopausal transition experiences and management strategies of Chinese immigrant women: a scoping review

Conclusion: Findings suggested that CIW experienced a variety of physical symptoms, including muscle and joint pain, urogenital symptoms, vasomotor symptoms, weight gain, decreased physical strength, vision changes, and skin changes. Muscle and joint pain were particularly prevalent and emphasized. CIW also experienced psycho-behavioral symptoms including emotional changes, depression, memory loss, and sexual dysfunction. However, they had a decreased concern regarding symptoms of sexual dysfunction and decreased libido when compared with women from Western cultures. CIW interpreted menopause as a natural aging process involving the next step in life. Cultural expectations of stoicism and silence may cause immigrant women to be less vocal about their menopause experiences and result in feelings of loneliness. Acculturation may be both a facilitator and a barrier to a healthy menopausal transition. CIW were resistant to Western Medicine management such as hormone therapy but were willing to incorporate traditional medicine into their health care. They believed that a healthy mentality was important and used various psychocognitive strategies to maintain a good quality of life. Healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers need to consider the unique characteristics of CIW's menopausal transition in research, intervention innovation, and practice.
Source: Menopause - Category: OBGYN Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research