Quality of life of menopausal women in the island of Majorca: a population based study

Abstract

Objectives: To explore demographic and epidemiological characteristics surrounding menopause among women of Majorca, estimate their health related quality of life (QOL), and ascertain wheather they differ from those of the mainland population of menopausal women.

Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted with a sample of 428 women. The Cervantes questionnaire for measuring QOL during menopause was used.

Results: Among women in Majorca, the mean QOL is better than the national mean of the Spain reference population. It declines with age and levels off at menopause. In menopausal women, QOL improves slightly in tandem with educational level. 29% of menopausal women were on some form of therapy, most commonly a mix of estrogens and gestagens (36%). Only a weak association was detected between being menopausal and QOL.

Conclusion: The Cervantes questionnaire allows periodic study sample cut-offs to determine whether changes in sociodemographic and disease-related variables are also accompanied by changes in self-perceived QOL. It is much better in menopausal women in Majorca than in those in the Spanish mainland.

• Alternative medications
• menopause
• population-based survey
• quality of life