Quality of Life Among of Menopausal Women

Abstract

Background: The transition through menopause is a life event that can profoundly affect quality of life. More than 80% of women report physical and psychological symptoms that commonly accompany menopause, with varying degrees of severity and life disruption. Studies find that most women experience at least one or more of these symptoms as they transition through the postmenopausal stage of life. The aim of this study was to assess the menopause related symptoms and their impact on the women’s quality of life. Subjects and methods: A descriptive design was carried out in Obstetrics and Gynecological department at maternity and children hospital in Makkah Al Mukkarrmah..  Convenient sample composed of 90 women at range of from 40-60years were recruited in the study. Interviewing sheet that was designed by the investigators and Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) were used to collect the data. Results: The present study showed that the most severe symptoms in vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual domains were, hot flushes (29%), experiencing poor memory (48.3%), being dissatisfied with their personal life (44.8%), Low backache (41.9%), and change in your sexual desire (36.8%). The overall scores of menopausal quality of life for each MENQOL domain are indicated that the highest mean score in sexual domain (3.19± 1.99), following by psychosocial (2.94± 1.45) then vasomotor (2.55± 1.53) and finally physical symptoms (2.28± .749). Conclusion: The present study concluded that most severe symptoms in vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual domains were, hot flushes, experiencing poor memory, being dissatisfied with their personal life, low backache, and change in your sexual desire. The mean scores of physical and vasomotor domain were significantly more in postmenopausal (PM) group then menopausal transition MT group. While the mean scores of each domain suggest that menopausal symptoms were associated with decrease in women quality of life. The current study recommended that: Health care providers need to play a more visible and instrumental role in continuously assessing menopausal women's needs as well as implement appropriate health educational programs. Also further research addressing women's health needs is also essential for improving the quality of life of menopausal women in Saudi Arabia

Keywords: Menopause – Menopausal symptoms- Quality of life - MENQOL.