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

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.