Some associated biological changes are less marked in Asians than in Caucasians - a lower incidence of hot flashes, for instance. But Thai women tend to suffer more joint and muscle pain, especially in the back, says Suwipa. Then there are social and economic pressures - the added responsibility of caring for aging parents, for instance. Two groups of women were invited to weekly sessions with the clinic staff to address common concerns. The regular exchanges were not only useful for ironing out kinks in the system, they also alerted health professionals to the difference that attention to cultural nuances makes.
Medical research shows that regular workouts alleviate hot flashes and other symptoms.
The women were convinced of the benefits too. Yet the clinic's exercise class floundered, attendance rapidly falling off after the first burst of enthusiasm. Chats with the patients revealed why. Instead, staff members found themselves helping the women to identify alternatives better suited to their lifestyles. They could modify existing routines, for example, by increasing the pace when walking a child to and from school, or tackling backyard chores more vigorously.