title: Menopause symptoms' predictors: the influence of lifestyle, health- and menopause-related, and sociodemographic characteristics.
abstract: This research explores a causal model of menopausal symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal women. A community sample of 710 women was assessed regarding menopausal symptoms, and sociodemographic, health- and menopause-related, and lifestyle characteristics. Structural equation modelling was used. Menopausal status predicted skin/facial hair changes (β = .156; p <.001), vasomotor (β = .122; p <.001) and sexual symptoms (β = .158; p <.001). Age was significantly associated with cognitive impairment (β = .087; p = .003), aches/pain (β = .072; p = .006), urinary (β = .115; p = .004) and also sexual symptoms (β = .107; p = .021). Several menopausal symptoms are predicted, not only by menopausal status, but also by age progression, among other variables; this should be considered in the context of a well-adapted menopausal transition.
authors.affiliation: Psychology and Health Research Unit, ISPA-Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal. filipa_pimenta@ispa.pt
authors.forename: Filipa
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pimenta
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maroco
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011174:Portugal; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires