Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women in Kalyanpuri Area of Delhi

Abstract

Menopause is a natural biological transition associated with hormonal changes that can significantly affect women’s well-being and quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to determine the burden of menopausal symptoms, assess the QOL among postmenopausal women, and examine the association between menopausal symptoms and QOL. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 484 women aged over 40 years who attained natural menopause residing in East Delhi. The Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire was used to assess menopausal symptoms and QOL; the World Health Organization-Brief Version (WHO-BREF) questionnaire was used to assess health-related QOL. Data were collected using epicollect and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The majority of women were aged between 46 and 60 years (76.1%), with a mean age at menopause of 45.8 ± 4.2 years. Most participants were married (75.1%), homemakers (83.5%), illiterate (37.0%), and belonged to upper–lower socioeconomic class (52.5%). The most common self-reported menopausal symptom was generalized body ache (63.3%). MENQOL scores showed moderate impacts, highest in physical symptoms (3.12 ± 1.48). WHO-BREF scores indicated favorable health perceptions. The physical domain, especially low backache, was experienced severely, while vasomotor symptoms had a greater impact on QOL.