Pattern of Menopause Symptoms and Health-Seeking Behaviour Among Perimenopausal Women in Benin City, Edo State

The menopausal transition is associated with a diverse range of vasomotor, psychological, and genitourinary symptoms that substantially affect quality of life, yet health-seeking behaviour for menopausal complaints remains poorly characterised among Nigerian women. This study describes the pattern of menopausal symptoms and health-seeking behaviour among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in Benin City, Edo State, South South Nigeria. A cross-sectional community-based survey enrolled 220 women aged 40 to 60 years from three urban communities in Egor and Oredo LGAs. The Menopause Rating Scale was used to assess symptom severity across three domains: somatic, psychological, and urogenital. Health-seeking behaviour and sources of information were assessed by structured questionnaire. Hot flushes (68 percent), sleep disturbance (62 percent), joint and muscle discomfort (58 percent), and mood changes (54 percent) were the most prevalent symptoms. Vaginal dryness was reported by 41 percent. Only 24 percent of symptomatic women had consulted a doctor, with herbalist use (38 percent) and self-managed dietary changes (44 percent) the most common responses. Shame, lack of awareness of treatment options, and belief that symptoms were inevitable were primary barriers to medical care-seeking. Recommendations include menopause health education in community settings, gynaecology clinic menopause management protocols, and training of primary care providers in hormonal and non-hormonal menopausal symptom management in Edo State. Keywords: menopause, perimenopausal symptoms, Benin City, health-seeking, Menopause Rating Scale