Social Determinants and Reproductive Factors of the Menopausal Symptoms among Women in Tabriz-Iran

Background: Menopause is a natural event in which different degrees of psychosomatic changesoccur. The social, demographic and behavioral factors in different nations have a significant effecton symptoms of menopause. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between thepersonal, demographic, social and reproductive factors with symptoms of menopause and thefrequency of the mental and physical symptoms of menopause among women in Tabriz, Northwestof Iran.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the clinics and health centers of Tabriz, EastAzerbaijan and Iran. A total of ۳۰۰ women aged ۴۰-۶۰ years filled a questionnaire on the sociodemographic variables, reproductive history and symptoms checklist.Results: Among the symptoms, muscle and joint pain (۶۸.۷%), and increased facial hair (۲۰.۵%)were the most and the least common ones respectively. According to participants, as age increases,the symptoms worsen (p=۰.۰۰۳).The frequency of the symptoms of the employed women was less than those of retired ones andhousewives (p=۰.۰۰۱). The physical and mental symptoms had negative relation with educationalstatus (p<۰.۰۵). An increase in the number of the children, the history of the oral contraceptive useand dysmenorrhea had positive relation with the frequency of the symptoms.Conclusion: The quality of life of the women during menopause worsens with an increase in ageand number of children, whereas it improves with higher educational levels and employment.

Keywords:

Menopause , Quality of life , Socioeconomic factor , Climacteric