The Relationship Between Menopausal Attitudes and Menopausal Symptoms in Women Aged 40-55

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to reveal the menopausal status of women between the ages of 40-55 and to investigate the effects of their attitudes towards menopause on possible menopausal symptoms. Material and Methods: 230 participants aged between 40-55 who applied to Ümraniye EAH Education Family Health Center were included in the study. All participants were asked to answer 47 questions including socio-demographic data, the menopausal attitude assesment scale (MAAS), and the menopause rating scale (MRS). Results: The mean age of 230 women who participated in our study was 47.47±4.37 years, the mean MRS score was 12.78±8.96, and the mean MAAS score was 30.91±5.13. Their attitudes towards menopause and menapusal symptoms were above average and positive. It was found that MRS scores of non-menstrual women were higher than women who have irregular and regular periods (p<0.001). It was found that women who quit smoking got higher MRS scores than those who smoke and never smoked (p = 0.006. Women with primary education education level got lower MAAS scores than women with higher education level (p=0.026). In our study, it was found that non-menstruating women, those who talked to their partner about their menopause, those who quit smoking and those who quit alcohol consumption had milder menopausal symptoms. Conclusion: Postmenopausal symptoms may vary according to personal, cultural and socio-economic variables. Women should be encouraged to increase their level of knowledge and avoid consuming alcohol and smoking in order to reduce possible symptoms related to menopause and improve their quality of life. Family physicians can play a primary role in this regard.