Clinical, hormonal and biochemical features of menopausal women in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

As a result of the general lack of information about the menopause in Nigeria this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of climacteric symptoms in a cohort of healthy perimenopausal women and also to evaluate the hormonal and bichemical profile of the subjects. Seventeen menopausal and 19 premenopausal women aged 40 years or more were interviewed and had venepuncture and collection of 24-h urine samples. Plasma from the blood samples was used for the assay of LH. FSH, progesterone, 17|i-oestradiol. calcium and cholesterol while urinary calcium was determined from the 24-h urine samples. The data revealed a significant difference in the prevalence of the symptoms of vasomotor instability (hot flushes, palpitations and excessive sweating) among the menopausal group when compared with the premenopausal group. Furthermore, plasma gonadotropin levels (LI I and FSH) were significantly elevated while plasma oestradiol and progesterone levels were lower in the menopausal women than in the premenopausal group. With regards to the biochemical indices evaluated, only 24-h urinary calcium levels were found to be significantly different for the two groups, with higher levels in the menopausal women. The significance of these findings and the need for adequate screening and treatment of selected menopausal women are discussed.