Experience of climacteric symptoms among 42–46 and 52–56-year-old women

• Published in: Maturitas 2003-11, Vol.46 (3), p.199-205
• Main Authors: Jokinen, K., Rautava, P., Mäkinen, Juha, Ojanlatva, A., Sundell, J., Helenius, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Biological and medical sciences; Climacteric - drug effects; Climacteric - psychology; Climacteric symptoms; Educational Status; Employment; Estrogen Replacement Therapy - psychology; Female; Finnish women; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Medical sciences; Menopausal; Menopause - psychology; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Puberal and climacteric disorders (male and female); Quality of Life; Residence Characteristics; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0378-5122; 1873-4111
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-5122(03)00216-0

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. Conclusion: 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.