title: [Menopausal complaints across the lifespan? Findings of a German representative survey].
abstract: Aim of the present investigation was the assessment of magnitude and distribution of subjective menopausal complaints in the German population. Study participants included 1 350 women aged 14-92 years, completing the menopause rating scale (MRS II). A total of 22% of the women exhibited considerable/severe menopausal complaints. Symptoms as sleep problems, joint and muscular discomfort, heart discomfort and physical and mental exhaustion increased drastically with advancing age. Hot flushes/sweating were the only symptoms specifically assigned to the menopausal period. Significant predictors for the intensity of menopausal complaints were: region of living, age, level of psychic burden, somatic complaints, depression, stress and fatigue. It is concluded that menopausal symptoms referred to in the literature must be questioned to be phase specific. Further research on aetiological factors is needed.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus an der Technischen Universität Dresden.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weidner
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bittner
authors.forename: Yve
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Stöbel-Richter
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brähler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002979:Climacteric / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult