Menopause Symptoms' Predictors: The Influence of Lifestyle, Health- and Menopause-Related, and Sociodemographic Characteristics

Abstract

This research explores a causal model of menopausal symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal women. A community sample of 710 women was assessed regarding menopausal symptoms, and sociodemographic, health- and menopause-related, and lifestyle characteristics. Structural equation modelling was used. Menopausal status predicted skin/facial hair changes (β = .156; p <.001), vasomotor (β = .122; p <.001) and sexual symptoms (β = .158; p <.001). Age was significantly associated with cognitive impairment (β = .087; p = .003), aches/pain (β = .072; p = .006), urinary (β = .115; p = .004) and also sexual symptoms (β = .107; p = .021). Several menopausal symptoms are predicted, not only by menopausal status, but also by age progression, among other variables; this should be considered in the context of a well-adapted menopausal transition.

Keywords:

• menopausal symptoms
• predictors
• structural equation modelling
• health status
• lifestyle

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We kindly acknowledge the Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), for the grant SFRH/BD/32359/2006. We thank Raquel Oliveira for proofreading the manuscript.