Male and Female Challenges of Climacterium and Menopause in Africa
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Delta Reproductive Health Initiative and Research Centre
Abstract
Background: The climacteric and menopause is an
exceptional period in the life of a woman. It is
associated with unique challenges which may affect the
quality of life. Recent evidence suggest that there is a
similar entity in males the “andropause” which also
has its own inherent clinical entities and challenges.
There is paucity of the knowledge of the clinical
entities and their symptomatology during this period in
Africa.
Methodology: A Literature search for studies on
climacteric, menopause and andropause published
between 1995 to 2016 was performed using the google
scholar search data base. The bibliographies of
included studies were also searched for additional
references. About 150 articles were identified and after
the elimination of articles unrelated to the subject
matter, 42 related articles were available for the review.
Result: There are numerous challenges faced by men
and women in Africa during the climacteric period and
they are accentuated by several intermediating factors
which range from ignorance, to cultural taboos and
even lack of adequate facilities to cater for their health
needs. During this period, the men and woman's age,
education, economic status, family structure, health
status, social relationships, sexual experiences
development style, living conditions and cultural
factors impact on individual differences in menopausal
adaptation.
Conclusion and recommendation: Men and women
faces many challenges of menopause and andropause
in Africa. This is related to poor knowledge and health
seeking behaviour of this group of males and females.
Therefore, all tiers of government in collaboration
with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
should provide necessary facilities and enabling
environments to conduct proper advocacy,
counselling, evaluation and treatment of affected
individuals.
Description
Keywords
Menopause, Climacteric, Andropause, Africa