Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample female adults who have not had a menstrual period in the last three months and who are not currently pregnant (for 1999) or whose menstrual periods have stopped permanently (for 1987), MENSAGER reports the approximate age range of the respondent when she had her last period.
MENSAGER was first introduced in 1987 as part of a supplement on cancer epidemiology. For related variables, please use the IPUMS NHIS search function or drop-down menus.
Comparability
Changes in the universe may affect comparability between years. For 1987, this question was asked of sample female adults ages 18 and older whose menstrual periods have stopped permanently. For 1999, this question was asked of sample female adults who have not had a menstrual period in the past three months. (See the Universe Tab for more details.) Because of these changes, researchers should use caution when making comparisons across years.
Universe
- 1987: Half of female sample persons age 18+ (excluded from CACT) who did not report never having menstruated and whose menstrual cycles have stopped permanently.
- 1999: Female sample adults who (1) were age 18-49 and not currently pregnant or unknown if pregnant OR were age 50+ and (2) have not had a menstrual period in the past 3 months or whose response to whether they had a period in the past 3 months was not ascertained, and (3) whose age at last menstrual period is unknown.
Availability
- 1987, 1999
Weights
- 1987, 1999 : SAMPWEIGHT
