Body image in perimenopausal women

Abstract

Introduction: Menopause is the last natural menstruation, followed by a period of 12 months during which no bleeding occurs (WHO). This natural process results from the phasing out of the physiological activity of the ovaries and involves numerous psychological and somatic disturbances. Although perimenopausal ailments are experienced by most women, the correlation between their perception of the bodies and biopsychosocial functioning in the climacteric period is not fully understood. The aim of the study was to determine whether women's body image varies depending on the period of their reproductive life. Material and methods: 113 women aged 25-60 were examined (both menopausal and postmenopausal) with the control group comprising 58 women. The following scales were used: the Appearance-Related Picture Self-Appraisal Form and the Appearance Self-Appraisal Scale. Results: The study demonstrated statistically significant differences between the groups on 7 scales and the overall score. It can be said that postmenopausal women, whose ovarian activity has nearly ceased, in comparison with those in the premenopausal and menopausal groups attribute lower importance to the following areas of the body: eyes, nose, mouth, stomach, buttocks, thighs, and calves. The mean values of satisfaction in the three groups under comparison were not statistically different. Conclusions: The subjects of the postmenopausal group attribute lower importance to different body areas, deriving greater satisfaction from their own bodies.

Associations between menopause and body image: A systematic review

“…As presented in Table 1, the age range required for inclusion was generally between 40 and 65 years. 2,64,69,85,89,90,93,97,99 Other studies established the minimum age at 25, 76 30, 84 or 35 years, 5,65 and the maximum age at as high as 71 years. 84 Notably, only some of these studies reported controlling their analyses for the effect of age.…”

“…In addition, the study by Drobnjak et al 73 categorized their participants as either pre-or postmenopausal, but the criteria used to define stages implied that perimenopausal women who experienced an irregular cycle over the past 12 months were included in the premenopausal group. All studies used self-reported menstruation history to assign menopausal stage, with the exception of the study by Szymona-Pałkowska et al 76 which assessed menopausal status by clinical interview and confirmed it with FSH and E2 levels, and the study by Gümüşsoy et al 82 in which perimenopausal women had their menopausal status diagnosed by a doctor. Notably, Baker et al 64 and Włodarczyk and Dolińska-Zygmunt 89 were the only studies that reported using the Staging of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW + 10) classification, 45 considered as a gold standard to define menopausal status.…”

“…75,81 Moreover, seven studies either used more than one tool or reported results using multiple distinct subscales of a tool. 2,65,69,73,76,93,99 Most studies (n = 10) employed tools designed for the assessment of body image specifically, 5,65,67,69,76,82,84,85,90,93 such as the Body Image Scale, 87 the Body Shape Figure Scale, 66 the BSQ, 72 the Body Cathexis Scale, 83 Mendelson's Body-Esteem Scale, 68 Fisher's Body Image Questionnaire, 95 the Body Esteem Scale, 92 the Appearance-Related Picture Self-Appraisal Form, 77 and the Appearance Self-Appraisal Scale. 78 Seven studies used body-image-related subscales that were included in questionnaires designed to assess eating disorder symptomatology, 64,69,73,79,80,97,99 such as the Bulimia Test-Revised (BULIT-R), 98 the Eating Pathology Symptom Inventory (EPSI), 96 the EDI, 70 the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), 74 and modified questions from the Diagnostic Survey for Eating Disorders (DSED).…”

Factors Affecting Sexual Life of Menopausal Women: Scoping Review

“…Body image is closely related to personality and the way individuals perceive themselves greatly impacts their psychological aspects [39]. Changes in appearance and function experienced by some postmenopausal women, such as changes in body weight and shape, sleep disturbances due to night sweats, and signs of aging such as changes in skin, hair, and sexual function, may affect the way women perceive their bodies [40].…”

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Body Understanding Measure for Pregnancy scale (BUMPs)

“…Body image is a multidimensional concept that includes personal perceptions, attitudes, and affects the size, shape, and form of the body 1 . Women's body image‐related perception can be affected by life periods such as adolescence, pregnancy, postpregnancy, premenopause, and menopause 2–6 . Pregnancy is a period that affects maternal and infantile health; physiological and psychological changes occur in a short time during this period 7 .…”