Predictors of Menopausal Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women

Background and purpose: Menopause is a normal physiological process which influences the life of many middle-aged women. Studies reported different results on the effects of various factors on severity of menopausal symptoms. This study was designed to identify the factors determining menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women in Tehran, Iran 2015. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 307 postmenopausal women aged 45–65 years old selected by convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Blood sample were taken to measure estradiol levels. Data were analyzed applying Spearman correlation coefficients, Mann-Whitney test, and Stepwise multiple linear regression. Results: In this study, significant negative associations were found between menopausal symptoms and at marriage (r= -0.12, P=0.03), age at first pregnancy (r= -0.11, P=0.04), education level (r= -0.24, P<0.001), and estradiol level (r= -0.32, P<0.001). We observed significant positive associations between menopausal symptoms and parity (r=0.19, P=0.001) and BMI (r=0.11, P=0.04). A significant difference was observed between the groups with and without physical activity (P=0.01). Regression analysis showed estradiol levels (P<0.001), education level (P=0.001), and physical activity (P=0.015) as strong predictors of menopausal symptoms. Conclusion: In order to improve the severity of menopausal symptoms, alongside hormone therapy, women should be advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle and do more physical activities.