There is a time for everything: a study of menopausal/climacteric experiences of Sikh women in Canada.

This was an exploratory, descriptive study utilizing an ecological framework and a modified ethnographic methodology. The focus of the investigation was the meaning, expectations and experiences surrounding menopause and the climacteric of Sikh, Indo-Canadian women in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Data were collected from 50 informants between the ages of 35 and 75. Eight of the informants were premenopausal, 2 were climacteric, and 40 were postmenopausal. Of the 40 postmenopausal women, 36 had natural menopause and 4 artificial (hysterectomies). All of the informants had lived part their lives in Punjab, India. In order to present the women in context, a description of the cultural ecological environment of the informants both in Punjab, India and in Vancouver, British Columbia is presented. Data related to the women's values, beliefs, roles, role expectations, demographic attributes, lifestyles, expectations and experiences surrounding menopause and the climacteric are presented. The description of the informants' experiences and symbolic meaning relative to the climacteric and menopause reflect certain patterns and themes. A discussion of these identified themes is also presented.