Determinants of severity of menopausal symptoms among Saudi women in Riyadh city

Abstract

Objective To determine the relationship between sociodemographic, reproductive and lifestyle factors and the severity of menopausal symptoms among Saudi women attending a university hospital in Riyadh city.

Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out during 2010 in Riyadh city. Women aged > 40 years attending or accompanying their relatives in outpatient clinics in King Khalid University Hospital were invited to participate in the study. The English version of the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess the severity of menopausal symptoms after translation and validation on a sample of 30 women.

Results A total of 490 women were included. Severe urogenital symptoms were more common among housewives compared to working women (odds ratio (OR) 2.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–4.68) and women living in apartments or small houses compared to women living in villas (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.90–2.64). Nulliparous women had more severe somatic symptoms compared to those who had been pregnant (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.10–7.69). Women who exercised regularly were less likely to experience severe somatic and urogenital symptoms (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.37–0.86; OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44–0.98, respectively). Obese women experienced more severe psychosomatic symptoms compared to those of normal body mass index (OR 2.01, 95% CI 0.96–4.93).

Conclusion Women who are housewives, living in apartments, not exercising regularly and obese are more likely to suffer from severe symptoms of menopause.

Key words::

• DETERMINANTS
• SEVERITY
• MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS
• SAUDI ARABIA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This paper is attributed to King Saud University, College of medicine, Princess Nora Chair For Women's Health Research Chair, Center of Research Chairs, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The authors are grateful to Dr Shaik Shafi (assistant professor and biostatistician in the Department of Family & Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University) for his valuable comments.

Conflict of interest The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Source of funding Nil.