Experience of climacteric symptoms among 42-46 and 52-56-year-old women.
OBJECTIVE
The intensity of climacteric symptoms and their connection with sociodemographic background data were assessed among women who are or will soon be menopausal.


METHODS
A sample of 5510 Finnish women who were 42-46 or 52-56-years-old was selected to this 'Quality of Life among Middle-aged Women' Study and received a menopause-specific questionnaire.


RESULTS
Only 5% of the older and 36% of the younger women were totally asymptomatic. Altogether, 2% of the younger and 11% of the older women had severe climacteric symptoms. In the younger age group, a high symptom intensity was associated with living in town, having a low level of professional education, and being unemployed/laid off, whereas in the older age group, the experience of severe symptoms was associated with those having a couple relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
Altogether 95% of women in the productive working age (52-56-years-old) surprisingly suffer from mild, moderate, or severe climacteric symptoms. Further even up to 64% of the younger women (42-46-years-old) suffered from similar symptoms.
Loimaa Public Health Authority, Loimaa, Finland.
K
K
Jokinen
P
P
Rautava
Juha
J
Mäkinen
A
A
Ojanlatva
J
J
Sundell
H
H
Helenius
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002979:Climacteric / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires