'Menopausal symptoms': associations with menopausal status and psychosocial factors.
This study investigated the relative importance of psychosocial factors as opposed to menopausal status in relation to so-called 'menopausal symptoms' among a large sample of premenopausal, perimenopausal and (naturally and surgically) postmenopausal women (n = 4308) in The Netherlands. The incidence of psychological, somatic, vasomotor and sexual symptoms was assessed and related to menopausal status and to measures relating to coping behaviors, (body- and self-) esteem and quality of life. Among the findings were that vasomotor symptoms in particular, and loss of interest in sex to a lesser extent, were relatively strongly associated with menopausal status. Psychological and somatic symptoms, however, were found to be more closely associated with psychosocial factors (although perimenopausal women as a group were found to suffer them most). Findings are discussed and interpreted as further evidence that only vasomotor symptoms may rightly be called 'menopausal'.
Vanwesenbeeck
I
I
Department of Women's Studies, Tilburg University, The Netherlands. i.vanwesenbeeck@nisso.nl
Vennix
P
P
van de Wiel
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001828:Body Image; D002979:Climacteric / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*