Open AccessFeminine life‐course of Estonian women born in 1937–47: A questionnaire survey
Author(s) -
KIRSS FRED,
LANG KATRIN,
TUIMALA RISTO
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1080/00016340500409653
Subject(s) - medicine , menopause , obstetrics , gynecology , irritability , hysterectomy , estonian , climacteric , population , curettage , surgery , linguistics , philosophy , environmental health
Background . This study describes reproductive health, use of contraception, age at menopause, the prevalence of climacteric complaints, and hormone replacement therapy among Estonian women born in 1937–47. Methods . A sample of 800 Estonian women born in 1937–47 was composed at random from the Estonian population registry in 1997. A postal questionnaire was sent to all participants. Results . Curettage before menopause (16.6%, 95%CI = 13.5–20.0) and hysterectomy (11.7, 95%CI = 9.0–14.8) were the most common gynecological operations. 66.7% (95%CI = 62.5–70.6) of women had never used contraception, with the most popular method of contraception being intrauterine device (19.9%, 95%CI = 16.6–23.6). About three quarters of the respondents had had induced abortions, with 30.4% (95%CI = 26.5–34.4) having had three or more abortions. After exclusion of women with surgical menopause (57 cases, 10.6%, 95%CI = 8.1–13.5), women who were unable to assess the time of menopause (17 cases, 3.2%, 95%CI = 1.8–5.0), and those who were still menstruating (73 cases, 13.6%, 95%CI = 10.8–16.8), the average age of menopause (based on 388 study subjects) was 50.3 (95%CI = 49.9–50.6) years. The prevalence of climacteric complaints was as follows: hot flushes 51.0% (95%CI = 46.7–55.3), night sweats 44.1% (95%CI = 39.9–48.4%), depression/irritability 35.6% (95%CI = 31.5–39.8), bleeding problems 10.1% (95%CI = 7.6–12.9). Hormone replacement therapy was currently being used by 8 respondents (1.5%, 95%CI = 0.6–2.9). Previous hormone replacement therapy use was reported by 4 (0.7%, 95%CI = 0.2–2.9) of the women. Conclusions . The feminine life‐course of women born in Estonia in 1937–47 is characterized by a high number of induced abortions and hysterectomies, and relatively little contraceptive use. Hormone replacement therapy use is very low.