The Association of Menopausal Symptoms and Social Support Among Saudi Women at Primary Health Care Centers in Taif, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundMenopause is a challenging period for all women. The severity of menopausal symptoms hurts their quality of life and daily activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the severity of menopausal symptoms are associated with social support and lifestyle factors among Saudi women to help policymakers develop the appropriate intervention health program. MethodsA cross-sectional study of 361 middle-aged Saudi women was conducted through interviews using a valid and reliable questionnaire. The menopause rating scale (MRS) was used to determine the severity of menopausal symptoms and the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) was used to assess perceived social support among females. Linear regression was conducted to assess the association between MRS scores and MSPSS scores after adjustment of covariates. ResultsThe mean total menopause rating scale was 13.7 ± 8.3. Physical and mental exhaustion (80.3%), joint and muscular discomfort (79.2%), and irritability (75.9%) were the most prevalent menopausal symptoms for all women. The mean MSPSS was calculated as 4.3 ±1.8. Perceived social support and lifestyle factors were significant predictors of menopausal symptoms. ConclusionsPostmenopausal Saudi women complain of a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. The current study shows that social support, quitting smoking, losing weight, and increasing physical exercise can help to alleviate or reduce many of the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. This evidence will help policymakers design health intervention for this age group.

Factors Determining the Quality of Life of Polish Women during Menopause Based on the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire

“…The results of our study show that women who declared the impact of menopausal symptoms on their physical activity, had a lower overall quality of life and a lower quality of life in every sphere. Other researchers have had the same opinion, showing that increased physical activity translates into the alleviation of unpleasant menopausal symptoms, thus resulting in an improvement in women’s quality of life [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

“…In our study, women who declared that perimenopausal complaints affected their social life showed lower overall quality of life and lower quality of life in each of the MENQOL domains, compared to women who did not perceive such an impact. Positive interpersonal relationships and support help to reduce negative thoughts, feelings of guilt and minimize the risk of depression, thereby positively influence women’s quality of life [ 18 , 36 ].…”

Support Mechanisms for Women during Menopause: Perspectives from Social and Professional Structures

“…Furthermore, women who held negative attitudes toward menopause received less support from friends compared to women with positive attitudes, and these differences were statistically significant (p = 0.010) [12]. Levels of friend support were also negatively and significantly correlated with the total MRS score and urogenital symptoms, but not the somatic and psychological symptoms associated with the menopause, in a cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia [28].…”

Correlation of Social Support through the Quality of Life of Menopausal Women at Puskesmas Kelurahan Pondok Bambu II, Duren Sawit District, East Jakarta in 2021

“…Menopause is a condition of a woman after 12 months of amenorrhea without a clear pathological cause with an average age of 51 years with symptoms that appear related to hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and vaginal or urinary symptoms [1]. World Health Organization (WHO) in 2000, the total population of women experiencing menopause worldwide reached 645 million people, in 2010 it reached 894 million people and it is estimated that in 2030 the number of women in the world who enter menopause will reach 1 ,2 billion people.…”

“…Sixty-nine point six percent of menopausal women's quality of life is affected by menopausal syndrome. Polat's research [8] shows that there is a significant relationship between social support and a reduction in menopausal complaints [1,9,10].…”