The relationship between anxiety, depression, and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the relationship of anxiety and depression with menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 236 postmenopausal women aged 45-65 years. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Menopause Symptom Assessment Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multivariable-adjusted linear analysis were employed for the statistical evaluation of the data. The models were adjusted for the following covariates: age, educational status, income status, marital status, number of living children, presence of chronic disease, body mass index, duration of menopause, and perception of the menopausal period.

RESULTS

A statistically significant positive correlation was found between anxiety and menopausal symptoms ( r =0.623, P <0.001). Multivariable-adjusted linear regression analysis indicated that a one-unit increase in anxiety was associated with a 0.424-unit increase in menopausal symptom scores ( B =0.424, P <0.001). Similarly, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between depression and menopausal symptoms ( r =0.442, P <0.001). A one-unit increase in depression was associated with a 0.416-unit increase in menopausal symptom scores ( B =0.416, P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, a significant relationship was found between anxiety and depression and menopausal symptoms. This finding highlights the importance of not overlooking psychological factors such as anxiety and depression when evaluating menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.