Quality of Life and Menopausal Transition for Middle-Aged Women on Kinmen Island

• Published in: Quality of life research Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 53 - 61
• Main Authors: Fuh, J L, Wang, S J, Lee, S J, Lu, S R, Juang, K D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Kluwer Academic Publishers 01-02-2003; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Body mass index; China - ethnology; Chronic diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emotional problems; Female; Health Behavior; Health Status Indicators; Humans; Insomnia; Menopausal transition; Menopause; Menopause - ethnology; Menopause - physiology; Menopause - psychology; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; Postmenopause - ethnology; Postmenopause - physiology; Premenstrual syndrome; Premenstrual Syndrome - ethnology; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Rural Health; Surveys and Questionnaires; Taiwan - epidemiology; Women; Womens health; China; Taiwan
• ISSN: 0962-9343; 1573-2649
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1022074602928

Although it seems reasonable to suggest that most women experience significant changes in quality of life (QOL) during the menopausal period, few researchers have quantified these changes. A total of 1497 women, aged 40-54 years and living on the island of Kinmen, were recruited for this survey. However, 137 were eliminated leaving 1360 for analysis. Women who used hormonal therapy or who had undergone surgically induced menopause were excluded. The subjects with incomplete data or who exhibited mental retardation or severe psychiatric disease were also eliminated. Univariate analysis demonstrated that, in general, QOL scores were poorer for perimenopausal and postmenopausal status. Comparing pre- and postmenopausal women, significant statistical differences were demonstrated for role limitations due to physical and emotional problems, even after adjusting for age, education level, body mass index, menarche, and chronic illness. A strong association was demonstrated between menopausal symptoms and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Women with menopausal symptoms and PMS had significantly lower scores on all SF-36 dimensions. The results of this study suggest that poorer health status is experienced by peri- and postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women.