Relationship Between Frequency and Intensity of Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of Life Among Polish Nurses

PURPOSE: The study aims to compare the quality of life of nurses in the somatic, mental, social and environmental dimensions in the full reproductive and perimenopausal period and to determine the relationship between the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms and the quality of life of nurses aged 45–55. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 334 nurses, of which: 158 (47.31%) were aged 25–35 and 176 (52.69%) aged 45–55, included in the perimenopausal group. A diagnostic survey was used as the research method and the WHOQoL-Bref Questionnaire and the Menopause Symptom List were used to collect data. RESULTS: Nurses aged 25–35 achieved a significantly (p < 0.02) higher level of satisfaction with overall health quality (M = 3.9; SD = ±0.7) than nurses in the 45–55 age group (M = 3.7; SD = ±0.7). A variation in the frequency (F = 62.64; p < 0.0001) and intensity (F = 130.18; p < 0.0001) of menopausal symptoms was identified. It was found that the frequency and intensity of psychological symptoms were significantly higher than vasomotor (p < 0.0001) and somatic (p < 0.0001) symptoms. Additionally, negative relations between the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms and the quality of life of nurses in the 45–55 age group in the somatic, mental, social and environmental domains were demonstrated, with their value ranging from r = −0.19 to r = −0.48. CONCLUSION: The quality of life of the examined nurses varies. In the perimenopausal period, the frequency and intensity of psychological, vasomotor and somatic symptoms have a significant negative impact on the quality of life of nurses.