Objective (s): Postmenopausal women are at risk for developing cardiovascular disease because metabolic changes occur after menopause. This study was performed to compare the effects of two types of surgical and natural menopause on metabolic syndrome and its components 3 to 4 years before and after menopause.Methods: This was a retrospective study. Of 5191 women of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), 437 postmenopausal women aged 20-60 years were selected (373 natural menopause and 64 surgically menopause) and followed up for approximately 9 years. Data was collected using the TLGS questionnaires.Results: During the follow-up period, changes in metabolic and biochemical profiles were compared between surgically and natural menopause women. The incidences of metabolic syndrome in surgical menopause and natural menopause were 15.6 and 9.9% respectively at follow up period. The means systolic blood pressure and serum LDL levels in natural menopause were significantly higher than in surgically menopausal women.Conclusion: It seems the metabolic disorders associated with menopause differ in surgically and natural menopause women, with age being the most influential factor. Postmenopausal aging women should have regular checkups.

The mean age at natural menopause and its determinants among Shirazi women (southern Iran) was calculated. The data were obtained from a population- based cross-sectional study carried out in the year 2000. Interviews were carried out and observations made on 948 women who had incurred natural menopause. They were randomly chosen using postal zones housing sample framework of Shiraz. Mean±SD age at menopause in the studied group was 48.3±5.3 (95% CI: 48.0-48.6) years with a median of 49.0 years. Arm circumference, height, weight, BMI, place of birth, handedness, ancestry, family background, level of education, level of daily physical activities, smoking habit, history of abortion, age at first marriage, age at first full-term pregnancy, menstrual cycle interval/duration, age at menarche, dysmenorrhea, mid-cycle spotting, were rewrded. It was found that the number of pregnancies were not significantly related to age at menopause. Age at natural menopause significantly correlated with menstrual cessation pattern, age at last full-term pregnancy, consanguinity of marriage, place of birth, and use of hormones before menopause.

Objectives: The mean age at natural menopause among women of Shiraz in relation to socio-demographic factors was calculated. The data were obtained from a population-based, cross-sectional study carried out in the year 2000. Methods: Interviews were carried out and observations made with women in Shiraz, who had undergone a natural menopause. Chosen at random basis from a sample using postal zones housing framework. Results: The most important results include mean ±SD age at menopause in the population of 48.3 ±5.3 years (95% CI: 47.97-48.62) with a median of 49 years. Groups of women with an average early menopause were those with never married (44.7 years, P<0.006), low income level (47.4 years P<0.002), low social class (45.8 years, P<0.000), tobacco use (47.9 years, P<0.014) non consanguine husband (48.1 Year, P<0.027). Conclusion: This phenomenon must be documented in Iran because of it's strong links with morbidity and mortality of the growing number of women who are reaching advanced ages and whose survival is calculated at a quarter century after menopause.    

Objective: The relation of the mean age at natural menopause with socio-demographic factors was calculated among women in Shiraz. The data were obtained from a population-based cross sectional study carried out in the year 2000.Materials and methods: Interviews were carried out and observation made on 948 women who had undergone a natural menopause, chosen randomly using postal zones housing framework.Results: The mean age at menopause in this population was 48.3 + 5.3 year (95% CI: 47.97-48.62) with a median of 49 years. Groups of women with an average early menopause were those who never married (44.7 years, P<0.006), with low income level (47.4 years, P<0.002), low social class (45.8 years, P<0.000), tobacco use (47.9 years, P<0.014) and non consanguine husband (48.1 years, P<0.028).Conclusion: This phenomenon must be documented in Iran because of its strong links with morbidity and mortality of the growing number of women who are reaching advanced ages and whose survival is calculated at a quarter century after menopause. The effects of genetic factors on the age of natural menopause are documented in the literature, however, we conclude that the age of natural menopause is affected by Socio-demographic factors.

Background: Menopause is a step of a woman’s life when hormonal changes cause menstruation to stop permanently. Menopausal symptoms can affect women's health and differ between different races and societies.Objective: The aim of this study was to survey the symptoms associated with menopause among Iranian women living in Tehran, Iran.Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study which has been done between 2004 and 2005, women aged equal or more than 35 years old living in districts of Tehran were selected by multistage randomized cluster sampling. For each woman a questionnaire was completed. The data gained from each questionnaire was analyzed by using SPSS version 13.Results: At time of study, 2462 women were naturally menopause. The mean age of natural menopause onset was 47.71 (SE=0.11) years. In 52.9% of cases, the onset of menopause was sudden. The symptoms associated with menopause were night sweats (61.2%), joint and muscle pain (59.9%), hot flashes (53.1%), fatigue (45.6%), decreased libido (33.9%), insomnia (33.7%), weight gain (30.1%), forgetfulness (24.9%) and urinary symptoms (17.4%).  Conclusion: This study showed that night sweats, joint and muscle pain and hot flashes are the most common symptoms associated with menopause.