Study of psychosocial factors in Japanese patients suffering from menopausal disorders

Aim: Psychosocial elements are often found in the background of patients with menopausal disorders, and counseling based on these elements is essential for effective treatment. In the study presented here an attempt was made to extract psychosocial factors from Japanese cases of menopausal disorders in which the patients exhibited the impact of psychiatric elements and required counseling. Methods: A total of 97 cases in which the patients received counseling for the treatment of undefined complaints at our menopause clinic were analyzed. During counseling the patients were interviewed in regard to psychosocial factors and underwent psychological tests. Results: About half of them were found to have experienced various interpersonal problems as well as health-related problems. The frequency of problems such as empty nest syndrome and loss of relatives or friends was relatively low. Work-related anxiety or hardships of life were frequent among the premenopausal patients, while concern about aging was often noted in their postmenopausal counterparts. The incidence of empty nest syndrome was high among the ovariectomized women, but worry about aging was frequently reported by those undergoing natural menopause. Conclusion: This preliminary study revealed that problems related to families and the patient's health account for a large part of the psychosocial factors affecting the development of menopausal disorders in Japan. Incorporating these findings into counseling will make outpatient clinics services more acceptable to such patients.