Awareness and Perception About Menopause and Its Symptoms -a Cross Sectional Study .

Background: Menopause marks a signicant physiological transition in women, typically occurring between ages 45 and 55, characterized by declining estrogen levels and associated symptoms such as hot ashes, mood disturbances, and sleep disturbances. Globally, over 1 billion women are expected to be postmenopausal by 2030, highlighting the importance of understanding menopausal health and improving quality of life during this phase. This study aimed to assess awareness, knowledge, and health perceptions related to menopause among women in both rural and urban settings. Method: Conducted as a cross-sectional study at MGM Medical College, Aurangabad, from September 2022 to March 2024, the study enrolled women aged 40 to 60 years who had experienced natural menopause. Astructured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, menopause awareness, knowledge of HRT and calcium supplementation, health perceptions, exercise habits, and sexual activity. Data analysis employed appropriate statistical methods to assess associations and correlations among variables. Results: Among 139 participants, 74.1% were aware of menopause, with no signicant difference across education levels. Awareness of HRT was reported by 56.1% of women, with higher awareness among urban residents (62.9%) compared to rural (49.3%). Knowledge of calcium supplementation was high overall (87.8%), signicantly associated with higher education levels (p = 0.018). Health perception varied signicantly between rural and urban areas (p < 0.00001), with 63.8% of rural women rating their health as excellent compared to 24.3% of urban women. Exercise habits did not signicantly differ by residence or education level, with approximately half of the participants engaging in regular exercise.Conclusion: The study underscores varied awareness and perceptions of menopause among women in rural and urban areas, inuenced by educational backgrounds. While knowledge of menopause and its management tools like HRT and calcium supplementation was generally moderate to high, disparities exist across different demographic groups. Educational interventions tailored to regional and educational contexts are crucial for enhancing awareness and promoting healthier lifestyles during menopause. Addressing these gaps can improve overall menopausal health outcomes and quality of life among women across diverse socio-economic backgrounds.