Differences in Menopausal Symptoms and Adaptation between Natural Menopause Women and Artificial Menopause Women

자연폐경여성과 인공폐경여성의 갱년기 증상과 갱년기 적응 비교

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the menopausal symptoms and adaptations to the symptoms between natural menopause women and artificial menopause women. Method: A comparative survey design was utilized. One hundred forty five natural menopause women and 124 artificial menopause women had participated in the study. To measure menopausal symptoms, MENSI (Sarrel, 1995) was utilized as modified by Han (2004) and to measure adaptation to the symptoms, Bae (1999) was modified. Results: There were significant differences in menopausal symptoms between natural and artificial menopause women and the symptoms included 'numbness in hands and legs' (t=2.07, p=.039) and 'get excited and angry easily' (t=2.14, p=.033). There were significant differences between natural and artificial menopause women in adaptation to the symptoms and the adaptations included 'meet friends'(t=-2.07, p=.039), 'taking hormone therapies' (t=7.91, p<.001), 'counseling with health professionals' (t=3.48, p=.001), and 'get acupressure or Boohwang' (t=2.90, p=.004). Conclusion: The findings would provide meaningful data to develop relevant adaptation programs to address menopausal symptoms for natural and artificial menopausal women.