Korean J Urol.  2011 Dec;52(12):858-864.

A Study Assessing the Quality of Life Related to Voiding Symptoms and Sexual Functions in Menopausal Women

• Chun JY
• Min KS
• Kang DI

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the impact of menopause on the quality of life (QoL) of middle-aged and older women, including their general well-being, voiding-related symptoms, and sexual distress.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
To assess QoL, we administered a questionnaire that included questions about voiding-related symptoms and female sexual distress and part of the Women's Health Questionnaire. The self-administered questionnaires were completed by 1,679 women in the Korea. Data for 1,262 women were available for analysis, including premenopausal (n=307), perimenopausal (n=240), and postmenopausal (n=715) groups.
RESULTS
Voiding-related discomfort increased significantly in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women (p<0.001). General well-being worsened as menopause progressed (p<0.001). Menopausal women who were older (p=0.014), had a hysterectomy (p=0.005), or had urinary incontinence (p=0.001) had more voiding-related symptoms. Hypertension (p=0.026), cardiac disease (p=0.013), and arthritis (p=0.001) resulted in significantly decreased general well-being. Women with a hysterectomy (p=0.017) and those with arthritis (p=0.004) had high sexual distress. In the menopausal group, employed women had better general well-being than did unemployed women.
CONCLUSIONS
Menopause negatively affected the QoL of middle-aged and older women because of decreased general well-being and increased voiding-related symptoms. General health, even in menopausal women, was important to maintain a better QoL. To preserve the QoL of women undergoing menopause, control of menopause and underlying disease should be considered.

Keyword

Postmenopause; Quality of life; Sexual dysfunction, psychological; Urination disorders

MeSH Terms

Arthritis
Female
Heart Diseases
Humans
Hypertension
Hysterectomy
Korea
Menopause
Postmenopause
Quality of Life
Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological
Urinary Incontinence
Urination Disorders
Women's Health

Figure

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  FIG. 1 Symptom severity of voiding-related symptoms, general well-being, and sexual distress according to the employment state in the group of postmenopausal women (ap<0.05). QoL: quality of life.

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