Vasomotor and Other Menopausal Symptoms Influenced by Menopausal Stage and Psychosocial Factors in Japanese Middle-Aged Women

• Published in: Journal of Occupational Health 2001-11, Vol.43 (6), p.356-364
• Main Authors: Shiwaku, Kuninori, Yamane, Yosuke, Sugimura, Iwao, Hayasht, Masato, Nojiri, Masami, Matsushima, Shosui, Koyama, Wasaku
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Japanese women; Menopausal symptoms; Psychosocial factors
• ISSN: 1341-9145; 1348-9585; 1348-9585
• DOI: 10.1539/joh.43.356

The relationship among menopausal symptoms, the menopausal stage and psychosocial factors in climacteric of Japanese women was investigated. Information on menopausal symptoms, the menstrual cycle and psychosocial factors were collected by means of a self-reported questionnaire in six rural communities. A general population sample of 2, 886 women (recovery rate of 75%) aged 40 to 69 yr completed a report on seventeen self-reported health symptoms over the preceding 12 months. The most bothersome complaints were aching/painful joints, weakness and headache that were reported by approximately half the population aged 40 to 69 yr, but less than 4% of the women were affected severely. One-third of the women were bothered by night sweats, cold hands and feet, nervousness and anxiety. Approximately one in five of the women complained of hot flushes, numbness, early waking, and sleeplessness. Fourfactors emerged from a factor analysis:general somatic symptoms, psychological symptoms, vasomotor symptoms and aging symptoms. Hot flushes, night sweats, numbness, early waking and sleeplessness were significantly higher in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal periods than in the premenopausal period of women aged 45 to 54 yr. The menopausal stages were significantly related to the vasomotor symptoms, but had little relationship to the other menopausal symptoms, in a logistic regression model. Japanese women characteristically have a lower incidence of vasomotor and other menopausal symptoms, and a lower utilization of medical treatment for menopausal symptoms. Vasomotor symptoms were clearly associated with menopause, but other menopausal symptoms in Japanese middle-aged women related to self-rated health, social support and occupation. (J Occup Health 2001, 43, 356-364)