Mental health aspect of quality of life in the menopausal transition

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate factors associated with mental health quality of life (QOL), such as depressed mood, anxiety, poor memory and sleep, among midlife women according to the menopausal status. Material and methods: Participants were 500 women aged 40–65 years. Data were collected using socio-demographic questionnaire, Women’s Health Questionnaire (domains of depressed mood-DEP, anxiety-ANX, memory-MEM and sleep-SLE) and Short Form-36 (Mental Composite Score) for assessment of health-related QOL. Factors associated with poorer DEP, ANX, MEM and SLE were examined using adjusted linear regression models. Results: In premenopausal women, lower household monthly income (p =.046) was associated with higher level of DEP; higher body mass index (p =.045) was associated with higher ANX; having gynecological illnesses (p =.017) and menopause-related symptoms (p =.039) were associated with poorer MEM; being married (p =.036), drinking alcohol (p =.036) and having more physical activity (p =.041) was associated with better SLE. In postmenopausal women, worse DEP was more likely among women residing in city outskirts (p =.009), who are not married (p =.038) and with sedentary occupations (p =.049); lower education level (p =.030) was associated with more ANX; lower education level (p =.045) and having menopause-related symptoms (p =.044) were associated with poorer MEM; not engaging in regular recreation (p =.031) was associated with better SLE. Conclusions: To improve QOL, pre- and postmenopausal women should not only be supported in the management of menopause-specific symptoms. Women should also receive recommendations as to the behavioral and personal changes when approaching the midlife period. © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.