Factors associated with menopausal symptoms among middle-aged registered nurses in Beijing

Abstract

Objective: To determine factors related to menopause symptoms among middle-aged registered nurses in Beijing.

Methods: Self-administered questionnaires that included closed-ended questions on many factors possibly related to menopausal symptoms were distributed to 2100 registered nurses aged 40–55 at 20 hospitals in Beijing, China.

Results: Menopausal status was most associated with menopausal symptoms (p < 0.01), including hot flashes and sweating, paresthesiae, insomnia, arthralgia/myalgia, palpitations, skin formication and an unsatisfactory sexual life. The odds ratios (ORs) were highest for hot flashes and sweating. Upsetting events in the past year and being pessimistic were significantly inversely correlated with almost all the symptoms analyzed. Hot flashes and sweating (p < 0.01), paresthesiae (p < 0.01), unsatisfactory sexual life (p < 0.01), irritability (p < 0.05), depression or suspicion (p < 0.05) and dizziness (p < 0.05) were negatively correlated with the frequency of sexual activity.

Conclusion: Many factors may influence symptoms of the menopause. We found that menopausal status was most strongly associated with most menopausal symptoms, especially hot flashes and sweating. Psychosocial factors also played an important role. A higher frequency of sexual activity negatively correlated with most menopausal symptoms.

• Menopause
• nurses
• related factors
• symptoms

Declaration of interest

We are grateful for the support by Guoying Xu from Peking University People’s Hospital, Xiaoping Li from Capital Medical University, Jian Li from Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Xiaoyan Yan, Yanping Wang and Yannan Yuan from Peking University First Hospital, as well as the nursing departments of Beijing Xuanwu Hospital, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing 305 Hospital, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Youan Hospital, Beijing Hospital of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Beijing Hospital of Daxing District, Beijing Aviation Industry Center Hospital, Beijing Beijiao Hospital, Beijing Hospital of Miyun County, Beijing Miyun County Hospital of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Beijing Miyun County Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Beijing Tongren Hospital and Beijing Renhe Hospital.