exudates and Signs-and-Symptoms

The authors examine age at menopause and menopausal symptoms among 677 Malaysian women interviewed in 1986. Consideration is given to psychological as well as physical effects. Findings indicate that approximately 7 out 10 women entered menopause between ages 45-54 and that socioeconomic status did not affect onset or symptoms.

Topics: Age Factors; Asia; Asia, Southeastern; Behavior; Biology; Demography; Developing Countries; Disease; Malaysia; Menopause; Population; Population Characteristics; Psychology; Reproduction; Signs and Symptoms

A study of 2 low-dose oral contraceptives, Loestrin and Nordette, was conducted in association with the National Family Planning Board in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, West Malaysia, to determine differences in continuation rates and reasons for discontinuation. This report includes analysis of 96 women, 91.7% of whom were interval patients, randomly allocated to 1 of the above OCs between December 1979 and January 1981. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 1, 3 and 6 months after admission with symptom grids completed during the 1st, 3rd, and 6th cycles. The continuation rates at 6 months were 85.9 and 89.8 for Loestrin and Nordette, respectively. The corresponding follow-up rates were 73.9 and 68.3. The side effect reported most often among both groups was breakthrough bleeding (BTB). In addition, the proportion of Loestrin users who reported BTB at least once during the study was significantly higher than the proportion of Nordette users (38.3% versus 18.4%, p 0.05). Other symptoms reported were nausea, headaches, intestinal problems, and abdominal pain. No accidental pregancies were reported during this study. There were a total of 6 (11.8%) discontinuations in the Loestrin group and 4 (8.9%) in the Nordette group.

Topics: Asia; Asia, Southeastern; Biology; Contraception; Contraception Behavior; Contraceptive Agents; Contraceptive Agents, Female; Contraceptives, Oral; Data Collection; Developing Countries; Disease; Endocrine System; Family Planning Services; Hemorrhage; Hormones; Levonorgestrel; Malaysia; Menstruation Disturbances; Metrorrhagia; Norethindrone; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Physiology; Research; Sampling Studies; Signs and Symptoms; Statistics as Topic

As part of a wider evaluation of the Multiload Copper 250 IUD, bleeding patterns were studied longitudinally during the 1st year following insertion in 150 women. The women were menstruating regularly and had not been pregnant or on hormone or intrauterine contraception in the preceding 2 months. Detailed counseling was given, including instruction on collection of menstrual data. The mean age of the patients was 28 years (19-35) and mean parity was 2-3; none was nulliparous. 12 subjects could not be contacted after insertion and were not considered further. At 12 months, there were 11 terminations: pain and/or bleeding, 2; other medical reasons, 1; accidental pregnancy, 1; planning pregnancy, 5f other personal reasons, 1; and lost to follow-up, 1. Following device insertion menstrual duration was initially increased, followed by a fall to levels which were not significantly different from preinsertion values after about 6-9 months of use. Similar trends were noted when menstrual bleeding and spotting were separately analyzed. The mean number of bleeding days decreased from 4.5 during the first 90 days to 4.2 and then 3.9, respectively, in the last 2 segments; the corresponding figures for menstrual spotting were 3.5, 2.8, 2.7, and 2.8 days. Intermenstrual bleeding and spotting were common after insertion but their frequency rapidly decreased with time. To a large extent, bleeding disturbances determine IUD acceptability. Thus, its perceived improvement would tend to encourage continued use and suggests that the potential risk of anemia in longterm users need not necessarily be serious.

Topics: Asia; Asia, Southeastern; Biology; Contraception; Developing Countries; Disease; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Family Planning Services; Genitalia; Genitalia, Female; Health Planning; Hemorrhage; Intrauterine Devices; Intrauterine Devices, Copper; Malaysia; Menstruation Disturbances; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Physiology; Research; Research Design; Signs and Symptoms; Urogenital System