Prevalence and Severity of Menopausal Symptoms and Related Factors Among Women 40-60 Years in Kashan, Iran

Abstract

Background Menopause is a unique event in a woman's life which has many symptoms. Frequency and severity of these symptoms vary, and they are based on the woman's epidemiological characteristics. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and related factors among women, 40-60 years in Kashan, Iran. Patients and Methods Results The most common symptoms in; vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual domains were; ‘night sweats', ‘accomplishing less than I used to', ‘feeling a lack of energy', and ‘change in sexual desire', respectively. Moreover, the most severe symptoms in these domains were; ‘night sweats', ‘feeling anxious or nervous', ‘aching muscles or joints', and ‘avoiding intimacy'. There was a statistically significant difference between; the severity of menopausal symptoms and working status (P = 0.017), different educational levels (P = 0.001), exercise activity (P = 0.001), exercise frequency (P = 0.04), and duration of menopause (P = 0.03). Conclusions The prevalence of menopausal symptoms in our population is similar to most other communities. Employment, higher educational levels, doing physical activity and duration of menopause of more than five years is associated with milder menopausal symptoms.