Health-related quality of life following surgical menopause and following gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue-induced pseudomenopause

Abstract

Objective. To compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following surgical menopause with that following gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa)-induced pseudomenopause.

Materials and methods. Thirty-one women who received 3.75 mg of triptorelin injection subcutaneously every 4 weeks for 12 weeks after conservative surgery for severe endometriosis were reviewed (Group A). Thirty women who had surgical menopause for non-malignant conditions were reviewed after 12 weeks (Group B). Menopause-rating scale (MRS II) was used to assess the HRQOL.

Result. Surgical menopause caused significant deterioration of HRQOL after 12 weeks, as compared to that caused by the pseudomenopause induced by the GnRHa injection (total MRS score: Group A, 16.60; Group B, 20.41; p = 0.04). Among the three subscales, there were no differences in the scores of somato-vegetative symptoms (Group A, 6.63; Group B, 6.90; p = 0.72) and urogenital symptoms (Group A, 3.50; Group B, 4.80; p = 0.06). Psychological symptoms showed significant difference (Group A, 6.46; Group B, 8.70; p = 0.01).

Conclusion. Surgical menopause causes significant deterioration of HRQOL than that caused by the pseudomenopause state of GnRHa injection. Psychological symptoms are more pronounced in surgical menopause.

Keywords:

• Health-related quality of life
• surgical menopause
• pseudomenopause