The influence of age on symptoms of perimenopause.

OBJECTIVE

To identify differences in the occurrence and severity of symptoms related to perimenopause in women ages 30 to 50 and to determine which of the symptoms were recognized as due to perimenopause and discussed with a health care professional.

DESIGN

Descriptive exploratory research design using a structured questionnaire.

PARTICIPANTS

A sample of women (N = 418) employed in institutions of higher learning and a health care facility.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Menopause Symptom List was a 132-question survey used to identify occurrence and severity of symptoms in perimenopausal women, their recognition of the symptoms, and their level of discussion with a health care professional regarding the symptoms. One-way analysis of variance measures were applied to determine the differences between age groups and perimenopausal symptomology.

RESULTS

For both the measurement scales of frequency and severity of perimenopausal symptoms, the mean score increased as age increased. Significant differences were found between the age groups for the number of occurrences of sleeplessness, moodiness (p < .05) and depression, and poor concentration (p < .005). Significant differences in severity of symptoms were seen between age groups for depression (p < .05) and poor concentration (p < .005). Depressed feelings, headaches, moodiness, and palpitations were the symptoms most frequently discussed with health care providers.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the vaso-somatic symptom of headache ranked first for severity, the most frequently reported symptoms were psychological or general somatic in nature. Despite a proliferation of health education materials, the subjects in this study did not recognize many symptoms of perimenopause. The results of this study suggest that education and anticipatory guidance for perimenopausal women should begin with women in their 30s. With many symptoms occurring as early as age 35, recognition of symptoms can greatly reduce the discomfort and fears that women experience during the perimenopausal transition.