Menopausal Transition and Emotional Symptoms in Middle-Aged Women

Matzumura-Kasano J.P.; Gutiérrez-Crespo H.F.; Ruiz-Arias R.A. · Revista de Obstetricia y Ginecologia de Venezuela (2025) · DOI: 10.51288/00850408

Resumen

Objective: To analyze the symptoms experienced during the menopausal transition and their relationship with the presence of emotional symptoms in middle-aged women. Methods: A non-experimental, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants were women aged 44 to 55 who received care in primary-level health centers. The Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW+10) criteria were applied. A non-probabilistic sampling method was used. Two instruments were applied: the Menopause Transition Scale (reliability: α = 0.63) to assess menopausal symptoms, and the Menopause Emotional Symptom Questionnaire (13 items; total reliability: α = 0.926) to evaluate emotional symptoms. Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman’s coefficient. Results: The mean age was 50.8 years. A total of 53.9 % reported moderate morning fatigue, 49.9 % experienced moderate anxiety and depression, and 24.4 % had severe loss of libido. Overall, 63.9 % of participants reported moderate symptoms during the menopausal transition. Additionally, 45 % felt mildly worried, 44.4 % reported mild irritability due to unavoidable events, 49.3 % had trouble falling asleep, and 41 % had general difficulty sleeping. A total of 91.4 % were classified as low risk for emotional symptoms. An inverse and moderate correlation was found between menopausal transition symptoms and emotional symptoms (R = –0.599). Conclusion: During the menopausal transition, most women presented moderate symptoms and a low risk of emotional symptoms.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal