Influence of psycho-social factors on climacteric symptoms

Abstract

Background: It has been suggested that psycho-social factors may be crucial in the development of climacteric symptoms.

Material and methods: In order to evaluate the effect of psycho-social and biological factors on menopausal symptoms, Greene (climacterical symptoms), Cooper (psychosomatic symptoms of stress), Smilkstein (family dysfunction), Duke-UNC (social support) and Israel (life events) tests were passed to 300 Chilean women between 40 and 59 years of age. Data were evaluated with ANOVA, chi2 and logistic regression using the Epi-info package.

Results: Perimenopausal women had a significant increase in stress and climacteric symptoms; however comparing with pre and postmenopausal women, tests for life events, family dysfunction or social support did not show any differences. A history of premenstrual syndrome was the main risk predictor f or climacteric symptoms (OR: 3.6, IC: 1.5-8.5; P < 0.03 ), followed by perimenopausal state (OR: 2.9, IC: 1.4-6.0; P < 0.001 ) and negative life events (OR: 2.3, IC: 1.0-5.3; P < 0.05 ). The psycho-social factors were predictors for anxiety and depression; on the other hand, perimenopausal state was a risk factor for somatic and vasomotor symptoms. During premenopause, women with regular cycles and vasomotor symptoms have more psychological symptoms and stress.

Conclusion: Climacteric symptoms that appear in the perimenopause are more intense in those women who have a biological predisposition such as premenstrual syndrome and are modulated by psycho-social factors.