Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of Life among Palestinian Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Natural menopause is associated with somatic, vasomotor, psychological, and sexual complaints that may affect women's quality of life (QOL). Aims: To determine the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and their impact on QoL among Palestinian women visiting primary care centers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 through March 2019. Convenience sampling was used to interview 380 women aged 45–60 years attending primary care centers in the West Bank city of Nablus. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) assessed the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and QoL. Mean scores of menopausal categories were compared for different symptoms. Descriptive and analytical analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The age of menopausal onset (12-month absence) was 49.37 ±3 years (N = 200). The most prevalent symptoms were physical and mental exhaustion (86%), anxiety (85.5%), and irritability (85.3%). Only the prevalence of sleep problems was statistically different between the pre-, peri, and post-menopausal groups (P <0.001). The average MRS score was 18.64 ± 9.19, indicating severe symptoms and a low QoL. Conclusion: The physical and psychosocial problems experienced by Palestinian post-menopausal women negatively impacted their QoL. Therefore, all women approaching menopause should have access to supportive networks and preventive programs for a healthy transition.