Ethnic differences in symptoms experienced during the menopausal transition.

My purpose in this study was to explore ethnic differences in symptoms experienced during the menopausal transition among four major ethnic groups in the United States using a feminist perspective. This was a cross-sectional correlational study among 158 midlife women. The instruments included are questions on sociodemographic characteristics, health, and menopausal status, and the Midlife Women's Symptom Index (MSI). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Significant ethnic differences in the total number of symptoms (p < .01) were found. The most frequently reported symptoms differed by ethnicity. The symptoms experienced during the menopausal transition were significantly associated with some contextual factors.