J Korean Med Sci.  2010 May;25(5):758-765. 10.3346/jkms.2010.25.5.758.

Factors Influencing the Severity of Menopause Symptoms in Korean Post-menopausal Women

• Lee MS
• Kim JH
• Park MS
• Yang J
• Ko YH
• Ko SD
• Joe SH

• KMID: 1713962
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2010.25.5.758

Abstract

We have relatively limited knowledge of symptomatic aspects of the postmenopause, rather than perimenopause. We tried to determine the factors associated with experiencing menopausal symptoms by Korean postmenopausal women. A total of 657 Korean women who underwent a natural menopause completed multiple questionnaires, which included questions regarding their attitudes to menopause, depressive symptoms, state anxiety, self-esteem, dyadic relationships, sociodemographic variables, and 11-item Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Multiple regression analyses were performed to collectively examine the relative impact of each independent variable on the quality of life, as determined by the MRS. Decreased severity of menopausal symptoms was associated with more time spent in education, an employed status, a history of pregnancy, longer postmenopausal duration, positive attitudes to menopause, higher state anxiety, heightened self-esteem, and higher dyadic consensus. Increased severity of menopausal symptoms was also associated with absence of a partner, alcohol consumption, a history of hormone replacement therapy, a history of probable premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and increased severity of depressive symptoms. Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, attitudes to menopause, a dyadic relationship with a partner, and the inner psychological status can be associated with the severity of menopause symptoms specifically in Korean postmenopausal women.

Keyword

Menopausal Symptoms; Postmenopausal Women; Dyadic Relationship

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age Distribution
Anxiety/*epidemiology/*psychology
Comorbidity
Depression/*epidemiology/*psychology
Educational Status
Employment
Female
Humans
Incidence
Korea/epidemiology
Marital Status
Middle Aged
Postmenopause/*psychology
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors

Reference

1. Fuh JL, Wang SJ, Lee SJ, Lu SR, Juang KD. Quality of life and menopausal transition for middle-aged women on Kinmen island. Qual Life Res. 2003. 12:53–61.

2. Schneider HP. The quality of life in the post-menopausal woman. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2002. 16:395–409.

3. Papini DR, Intrieri RC, Goodwin PE. Attitude toward menopause among married middle-aged adults. Women Health. 2002. 36:55–68.

4. Lee YW. Depression in post menopausal women. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2003. 33:471–477.

5. Yeun EJ, Kwon YM, Song MS, Ahn OH, Kim BS. Correlational study on health behaviors, menopausal symptoms and sexual satisfaction in Korean middle-aged women. J Korean Acad Adult Nurs. 2004. 16:502–512.

6. Cha BK. Relationship between climacteric symptoms and sexual satisfaction in middle-aged women. J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs. 2003. 10:283–291.

7. Kim YH, Ha EH, Shin SJ. A study on the menopausal symptoms and quality of life in middle aged women. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2003. 33:601–608.

8. Heinemann K, Ruebig A, Potthoff P, Schneider HP, Strelow F, Heinemann LA, Do MT. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) scale: a methodological review. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2004. 2:45.

9. Khademi S, Cooke MS. Comparing the attitudes of urban and rural Iranian women toward menopause. Maturitas. 2003. 46:113–121.

10. Hahn HM, Yum TH, Shin YW, Kim KH, Yoon DJ, Chung KJ. A standardization study of Beck Depression Inventory in Korea. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 1986. 25:487–500.

11. Kim JT, Shin DK. A study based on the standardization of the STAI for Korea. New Med J. 1978. 21:69–75.

12. Chon SJ. A study on depression & self-esteem of the elderly in Korean. Red Cross College of Nurs Res. 1988. 10:125–144.

13. An JY, An K, O'Connor L, Wexler S. Life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived health status among elder Korean women: focus on living arrangements. J Transcult Nurs. 2008. 19:151–160.

14. Busby DM, Christensen C, Crane DR, Larson JH. A revision of the dyadic adjustment scale for use with distressed and nondistressed couples: construct hierarchy and multidimensional scales. J Marital Fam Ther. 1995. 21:289–308.

15. McKinlay JB, McKinlay SM, Brambilla D. The relative contributions of endocrine changes and social circumstances to depression in mid-aged women. J Health Soc Behav. 1987. 28:345–363.

16. Lock M. Menopause in cultural context. Exp Gerontol. 1994. 29:307–317.

17. Pan HA, Wu MH, Hsu CC, Yao BL, Huang KE. The perception of menopause among women in Taiwan. Maturitas. 2002. 41:269–274.

18. Brown GW, Bifulco A, Veiel HO, Andrews B. Self-esteem and depression. II. Social correlates of self-esteem. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 1990. 25:225–234.

19. Trevino YA, Wooten HR, Scott RE. A correlational study between depression and marital adjustment in hispanic couples. The Family Journal. 2007. 15:46–52.

20. Deeks AA. Psychological aspects of menopause management. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003. 17:17–31.

21. Leary MR, Baumeister RF. Zanna MP, editor. The nature and function of self-esteem: sociometer theory. Advances in experimental social psychology. 2000. New York, NY: Academic Press;1–62.

22. Cheng MH, Wang SJ, Wang PH, Fuh JL. Attitudes toward menopause among middle-aged women: a community survey in an island of Taiwan. Maturitas. 2005. 52:348–355.

23. Chen YL, Voda AM, Mansfield PK. Chinese midlife women's perceptions and attitudes about menopause. Menopause. 1998. 5:28–34.

24. Dennerstein L, Smith AM, Morse C. Psychological well-being, mid-life and the menopause. Maturitas. 1994. 20:1–11.

25. Hunter MS. Psychological and somatic experience of the menopause: a prospective study [corrected]. Psychosom Med. 1990. 52:357–367.

26. Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Rinaudo PJ, Sheng L. Premenstrual syndrome as a predictor of menopausal symptoms. Obstet Gynecol. 2004. 103:960–966.

27. Bloch A. Self-awareness during the menopause. Maturitas. 2002. 41:61–68.

28. Sievert LL, Espinosa-Hernandez G. Attitudes toward menopause in relation to symptom experience in Puebla, Mexico. Women Health. 2003. 38:93–106.

29. Cupach WR, Comstock J. Satisfaction with sexual communication in marriage-links to sexual satisfaction and dyadic adjustment. J Soc Personal Relationships. 1990. 7:179–186.

30. Lam PM, Cheung GW, Shek DT, Lee DT, Haines C, Chung TK. Psychological well-being and the dyadic relationship of Chinese menopausal women (and their spouses) attending hormone replacement clinics. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2004. 18:206–211.