Short Communication M ENOPAUSAL TRANSITION AM ONG NORTHERN INDIAN WOM EN 1 2 3 Vijayalakshmi S. , Ramesh Chandrababu & Eilean Victoria L. 1 Vice Principal, S.B.S College of Nursing, Shohiankalan, Fatehgarh Churian Road, Amristar, Punjab, India. 2 3 Assistant Professor, Noor College of Nursing, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, Associate Professor, Sri Ramachandra College of Nursing, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India Correspondence: Eilean Victoria L., M obile : +91 94451 03841 E-Mail : eileanl@yahoo.co.in Abstract : According to Indian menopause society research there are about 65 million Indian women over the age of 45. Average age of menopause in around 48 yrs but it strikes Indian women as young as 30-35 years. The main aim of the study is to assess the menopausal transition among women residing at selected rural community, Punjab. The study was conducted from July 2012 to December 2012. The sample from the selected rural community and the research design used for this study was Non experimental design – descriptive survey method. The sample size selected for this study consists of 30 rural women 40-55 years of age from selected rural community at Amritsar. Purposive sampling method was used to select the samples. The tool used in this study was ZEG Berlin menopause rating scale to assess the menopausal transition. The data analysis was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results reported that more prevalent symptoms were feeling tired (92.90%), headache (88.80%), joint and muscular discomfort (76.20%), physical and mental exhaustion (60.09%), sleeplessness (54.40%), depressive mood (37.30%), irritability (36%), dryness of vagina (36%), hot flushes and sweating (35.80%) and anxiety (34.50%). The rural women of Amritsar, Punjab experience high prevalence of menopausal symptoms. The high percentage and scores of MRS were observed in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Keywords: Menopausal Transition, Rural Community Women, Northern India Introduction : Middle age is one of the turning point in one's life as it brings many changes. It roughly starts in the early forties, when for most of the people it is the best period in their life when their achievement is at the highest point. Midway between the challenges of adulthood and despair of old age, comes the compulsory change menopause in women. Middle age in women includes the gradual winding down of the reproductive system and ending of the child bearing years. Menopause is permanent cessation of menstruation at the end of reproductive life due to loss of ovarian follicular activity. Menopause is a physiological event in the 73 NUJHS Vol. 3, No.2, June 2013, ISSN 2249-7110 Nitte University Journal of Health Science Keywords : Menopausal Transition, Rural Community Women, Northern India - Eilean Victoria L. Access this article online Quick Response Code women life and is caused by aging of ovaries which leads to decline in the production of ovarian gonadotrophins, estrogen and progesterone. The deficiency of these hormones elicits various somatic, vasomotor, sexual and psychological symptoms that impair overall quality of life of women. Menopause is a difficult process. Women going through the menopause transition may experience a variety of symptoms ranging from vasomotor symptoms to sleep disturbance, mood disorders, loss of sexual desire and vaginal dryness. The symptoms can make it a considerable struggle for those already dealing with their hectic lives. As many as two-third of all women report vasomotor symptoms and over 85% report at least one menopausal symptom as transition through menopause. The study findings showed that 25% of women whose symptoms were severe, the resulting discomfort greatly diminish the Published online: 2020-04-27