ResumoObjetivOs: Avaliar a idade da menopausa e os fatores associados aos sintomas menopausais em mulheres de uma região metropolitana do sudeste do Brasil. MétOdOs: Um estudo exploratório de corte-transversal foi realizado com 749 mulheres entre 45 e 60 anos (pesquisa de base populacional). A variável dependente foi a intensidade dos sintomas menopausais avaliada através do escore total do questionário Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). As variáveis independentes foram características sociodemográficas, problemas e hábitos de saúde, auto-percepção de saúde e antecedentes ginecológicos. A análise estatística foi realizada com o teste do χ 2 e regressão de Poisson. ResultadOs: A média etária das mulheres entrevistadas foi 52,5 (±4,4) anos. Com relação ao estado menopausal, 16% das mulheres encontravam-se na pré-menopausa, o mesmo número na perimenopausa e 68% estavam na pós-menopausa. A média de idade de ocorrência da menopausa foi 46,5±5,8 anos. A intensidade dos sintomas menopausais foi definida de acordo com a mediana do escore total do MRS e foi considerada severa para valores acima de 8. Depressão/ansiedade (RP=1,8; IC95% 1,5-2,2; p<0,01), doenças osteoarticulares (RP=1,5; IC95% 1,2-1,7; p<0,01), auto-percepção do estado geral de saúde regular, ruim ou péssimo (RP=1,4; IC95% 1,2-1,7; p<0,01), antecedente de algum aborto (RP=1,3; IC95% 1,1-1,5; p<0,01), tratamento para menopausa atual ou prévio (RP=1,2; IC95% 1,1-1,4; p<0,01), estar na perimenopausa ou pós-menopausa (RP=1,4; IC95% 1,1-1,8; p=0,01), número de partos normais >1 (RP=1,2; IC95% 1,02-1,4; p=0,02) e asma (RP=1,2; IC95% 1,01-1,4; p=0,03) se associaram a maior severidade de sintomas menopausais. Apresentar maior idade (RP=0,96; IC95% 0,96-0,97; p<0,01) se associou a menor intensidade de sintomas da menopausa. COnClusãO: A intensidade dos sintomas menopausais está relacionada a um amplo conjunto de fatores. Entender e controlar estes fatores pode auxiliar na redução dos sintomas menopausais, além de fornecer dados para definir grupos que necessitam maior atenção por parte dos serviços de saúde. AbstractPuRPOse: To determine the average age at the onset of menopause and to investigate menopausal symptoms in women in a metropolitan region in Southeastern Brazil. MethOds: A descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted with 749 women (a population-based household survey). The dependent variable was the intensity of menopausal symptoms assessed by th Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). The independent variables were sociodemographic data, health-related habits and problems, self-perception of health, and gynecological background. Statistical analysis was carried out by the χ 2 test and Poisson regression using the backward selection criteria. Results: The mean age of the women was 52.5 (±4.4) years. With regard to menopausal status, 16% were premenopausal, 16% perimenopausal and 68% postmenopausal. The mean age at the onset of menopause was 46.5 (±5.8) years. The intensity of menopausal symptoms was defined according to the median MRS score and was c...

Introduction Medications used to treat chronic diseases have contributed to increasing longevity and improving quality of life. These medications are considered an indispensable resource in the management of most treatable diseases. However, they can affect sexual function through their effects on the central or the peripheral nervous system or due to hormonal effects. Aim To evaluate the association between the use of medication for chronic diseases and sexual dysfunction in Brazilian women 45–60 years of age. Methods A secondary analysis of household survey data from a previous cross-sectional, population-based study conducted with a sample of 749 women of a population of 257,434 female urban residents in the age bracket of interest. Sexual function was evaluated using the Short Personal Experiences Questionnaire (SPEQ). Associations between the use of medication and sexual function were evaluated, as were correlations with other variables. Main Outcome Measure We found associations of the individual SPEQ domains with the use of some medications. Results Mean age of participants was 52.5 ± 4.4 years. Mean age at menopause was 46.5 ± 5.8 years. The overall prevalence of medication use was 68.8%, with the drugs predominantly consisting of those used for cardiovascular diseases. In the Poisson regression analysis, sexual dysfunction, as based on the overall SPEQ score, was associated with sexual inactivity (prevalence ratio [PR] = 4.05; 95% CI 3.16–5.20; P &lt; .001), a sedentary lifestyle (PR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.06–2.09; P = .021), and untreated anxiety (PR = 1.44; 95% CI 1.08–1.92; P = .014). Analysis of the individual SPEQ domains revealed that women who scored low in the desire domain were more likely to use antihypertensive agents (P = .019), whereas a lower score for the arousal domain was associated with the use of antidepressants, with treatment for osteoarticular diseases and with polypharmacy (P = .003). Women with lower scores in the satisfaction domain were more likely to use antidepressants, drugs for osteoarticular diseases, diabetes medication, and polypharmacy (P = .019). A lower score in the orgasm domain was associated with the use of antidepressants, the treatment of osteoarticular diseases, and diabetes (P &lt; .001). Hormone therapy proved protective against loss of libido (P = .036). Clinical Implications Some medications can interfere with sexual function negatively and, clinicians have to be aware of it to choose the treatment with fewer collateral effects. Strength & Limitations The strength of our study is the large, population-based sample of middle-aged women evaluated for sexual dysfunction with the SPEQ. However, it was a self-reported cross sectional study. Conclusion This study found no association between the use of medication for chronic diseases and the overall SPEQ score, whereas untreated anxiety was 1 of the main factors associated with female sexual dysfunction. On the other hand, medical treatments were found to contribute to lower scores in the different sexual function domains. Common drug culprits included antihypertensives, antidepressants, treatment for osteoarticular disease, diabetes medications, and polypharmacy. Hormone therapy protected against loss of libido.

Key Words: Menopause Rating Scale -Menopauseclimactericmiddle-agevasomotor symptomsurogenital symptoms. * Analysis considering the cluster (census tracts) ** Just significant results. The variables analyzed were age, schooling, marital status, skin color, paid work, monthly household income, other sources of income, socioeconomic status, smoking status, alcohol consumption, engaged on physical exercise, body mass index, waist circumference, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, myocardial infarction, stroke, deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolus, osteoporosis or osteopenia, osteoarticular problems, asthma or bronchitis, tuberculosis, depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric disorders, cancer, number of pregnancies, number of normal deliveries, number of cesarean deliveries, number of abortions, number of live-born children, number of sexual partners over a lifetime, prior hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, perineoplasty, menopausal status, selfrated health and menopause treatment.

À estatística Maria Helena, pela inteligência e paciência em resolver as inúmeras dificuldades deste estudo. Às funcionárias dos Ambulatórios de Menopausa -CAISM, CIPOI e Hospital Eduardode Menezes -Belo Horizonte, cuja valiosa ajuda foi imprescindível para a realização deste trabalho.