Experiences of Women in Turkey on Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine Methods Against The Symptoms of Menopause: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: Clinical and experimental health sciences (Online) Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 407 - 415
• Main Authors: ATAMAN, Hacer, ABA, Yılda Arzu, DİŞSİZ, Melike, SEVİMLİ, Sevcan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Istanbul Marmara University 30.12.2020
• Subjects: Alternative medicine; Cross-sectional studies; Menopause; Womens health
• ISSN: 2459-1459; 2459-1459
• DOI: 10.33808/clinexphealthsci.756512

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficiency of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) applications that women have been using against the symptoms of menopause.Methods: The research was conducted in descriptive design with the women between the ages of 45 and 60 (n=629). A “Questionnaire Form” and “Menopause Rating Scale (MRS)” were used in data collection process.Results: It was determined that women, who were aged 55 and over, were married, had at least 5-year education, and had chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and had treatment for her diseases, obtained higher scores than the total of MRS and sub-dimensions of the scale at a statistically significant level (p<0.05); 52% of the sample stated that they benefited at least one of CAM methods to cope with menopausal complaints. The most commonly used methods were determined to be praying/worship (33.2%), massage (19.2%) and phytotherapy (14.8%) respectively.Conclusion: An increase in menopausal complaints were observed in various sub-dimensions of the used scale for those who benefited from praying/worship, massage applications and vitamin/mineral supplements while a decrease in menopausal complaints and an increase in life standards were observed for those who applied hydrotherapy, chiropractic, cup therapy, reflexology and osteopathy methods.