title: Past reproductive events as predictors of physical symptom severity during the menopausal transition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to determine whether the severity of physical symptoms experienced during perimenopause can be predicted by physical symptoms experienced during past reproductive events (ie, symptoms experienced during pregnancy, the postpartum period, the premenstrual phase, and hormonal contraceptive use).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred ninety perimenopausal and postmenopausal women completed a series of questionnaires pertaining to their menopausal symptoms and the severity of both physical and emotional symptoms experienced during past reproductive events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The severity of some physical symptoms experienced during past reproductive events predicted the severity of menopausal physical symptoms. Some symptoms experienced during the premenstrual phase (ie, pain, lack of concentration, and water retention) and physical symptoms experienced during pregnancy were the best unique predictors of menopausal physical symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that women with a history of more severe physical symptoms during periods of both low (ie, premenstrual phase) and high (ie, pregnancy) hormone exposure are at greatest risk for experiencing severe physical symptoms during the perimenopausal transition.
authors: Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
authors: Suzanne E
authors: SE
authors: Stone
authors: Dwight
authors: D
authors: Mazmanian
authors: Kirsten A
authors: KA
authors: Oinonen
authors: Verinder
authors: V
authors: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral