Assessment of menopausal symptoms across MENQOL domains and their associated factors among middle-aged rural women of Western Uttar Pradesh: A Community-based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Menopause, occurring between 45-55 years, marks the permanent cessation of menstruation due to declining ovarianfunction. Reduced oestrogen disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, causing vasomotor. urogenital, psychogenic, cardiovascular, and bone health issues, This Study aims to menopausal Symptoms and associated factors among middle—aged women. Material & Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural area of District Saharanpur, among 280 middle-aged women (40-60 gears) for o period Ot12 months. The Menopause-specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire was used to gather data, and participants were chosen using a multistage random sampling technique. Collected data were analysed, and appropriate statistical tests were applied. Fisher's exact test and the chi-square test were used to analyse the data using SPSS version 26. A statistically significant p-value was defined as <0.05. Result: Among 280 study participants, physical symptoms (97.9%) were most common. followed by psychosocial (83.6%). vasomotor (74.3%). and sexual (48.9%) Symptoms. Women with lower socioeconomic status significantly suffered more vasomotor symptoms (91.8%), while symptoms of the physical domain of MENQOL were more common among those who smoked (98.4%). While au other sociodemographic factors weren't found to have a significant effect on various menopausal symptoms. Conclusion: Physical and psychosocial symptoms were most prevalent among middle-aged women. The results highlight the need for holistic interventions to improve women's well-being.