The relationship between hot flush and menstrual patterns in climacteric Thai women

The relationship between hot flush and menstrual patterns in climacteric Thai women
ความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างอาการร้อนวูบวาบกับลักษณะระดูของสตรีไทยวัยใกล้หมดระดู

Karanrat Soonthornpun, D. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, F. of Medicine, PSU.

Published : Songkla Med J 2000, 18(2) : 121-127
Key words : hot flush, menstrual pattern, climacteric

Objectives : To determine the prevalence of hot flush in climacteric Thai women, and to in-vestigate the relationship of hot flush, menstrual patterns, physical and life style factors.

Design : Descriptive and analytical study

Methods : Women, aged 40-55 with at least one menstruation in the previous year, who attended Gynecologic and Menopausal Clinics, Songklanagarind Hospital from May 1 to December 31, 1997, were interviewed about menstrual patterns, the occurrence and frequency of hot flush in the past 2 weeks and physical and life style variables.

Result : Of 509 women, 143 were premenopausal, and 366 were perimenopausal. Thirty-three percent (95%CI : 28.9-37.1) of the women had experienced at least one hot flush in the last 2 weeks: 16.8 % (95%CI : 10.6-23.0) of premenopausal, and 39.3% (95%CI : 34.3-44.4) of perimenopausal. The occurrence of hot flush was significantly higher in women with both menstrual frequency and amount changes (45.7%) than women with changes only in amount (24.4%) or in frequency (41.3%), and highest in women with amenorrhea for 3-11 months (65.2%). Twenty-two percent of women with amenorrhea for 3-11 months experienced hot flush several times a day, compared with 1.4%, 6.3%, 13%, and 12.8% of premenopausal, those with only amount changes, those with only frequency changes, and those with both changes, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, menstrual patterns, and professional occupation were significantly associated with the occurrence of hot flush.

Conclusion : The prevalence of hot flush in climacteric Thai women is 33.0%. The prevalence and frequency of hot flush was highest in women with amenorrhea for 3-11 months. The prevalence of hot flush was significantly related with age, menstrual patterns, and professional occupation.

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