Attitudes towards menopause and depression, body image of women during menopause

Abstract

Introduction: Menopause is an important and normal developmental process in a woman's life. During menopause women experience physical, psychological and social changes. Objective: Aim of the study was to investigate attitude towards menopause, body image and depression level of Turkish women in menopause. Methods: The data of this descriptive and cross-sectional study were collected via questionnaire form, Attitude towards Menopause Scale (ATMS), Body Image Scale (BIS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: 54.1% of women held negative attitudes towards this transition. The rate of women who fit the borderline evaluation for depression was 27.5%. Women with low depressive symptom severity and positive attitudes towards menopause had higher positive body image scores. Women with positive attitudes towards menopause had a more positive body image and they experienced lower depressive symptoms. ATMS, BIS and BDI scores of women in naturally menopause who had not had menstruation for at least one year or who had entered menopause due to surgery were compared; menopause attitude scores and body image scores of women in naturally menopause was significantly more positive. There was a significant positive correlation between ATMS and BIS scores of women in menopause, also there was a significant negative correlation between MAS and BDI scores of women. Conclusions: Women with an optimistic attitude towards menopause tend to have a more positive body image and their depression level is lower.

Distorted body weight perception and its gender differences in middle-aged adults: population based study

“…They were more likely to report experiencing stress, depression, and suicidal ideation compared to women with a non-distorted body image regarding body weight. The results are consistent with previous research [7][8][9]20], in which emotional status such as depression was found more in women with a distorted body image regarding body weight. Previous studies have explained this result as a menopauserelated phenomena.…”

“…Previous studies have explained this result as a menopauserelated phenomena. Middle age is a time when women experience menopause-related emotional and physical symptoms [8], and body changes in appearance and functions that menopausal women face can affect the way they perceive their body.…”

“…Body weight perception can vary according to biological factors such as age and gender [1,3,5], sociocultural background [6,7], and psychological status [8,9]. Particularly, gender differences regarding body weight perception have been found at certain ages.…”

The correlation between knowledge, body image perception and self efficacy with anxiety among perimenopausal women in Dauh Puri Klod Village, Bali

“…Some literature suggests that the cause of anxiety as one of the elements of depression during menopause is very diverse and the symptoms are shown more on the psychological aspects, therefore there needs to be a variety of studies to reveal it. 22 The limitation of our study is that there is no validation and reliability tests for the instrument used in this study. Another weakness is the possibility of a recall bias because the information asked is an event in the past, particularly those who have experienced menopause in a longer time before the interview.…”

Causes and Long-Term Consequences of Premature and Early Menopause on the Women Health

“…It refers to the time when ovaries reproductive function ends-when a woman`s ovaries stop producing eggs and the hormones estrogen and progesterone [1]. Menopause occurs when a woman has not had her period for 12 months or longer [2]. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age being around 51.…”