Menopausal Symptoms Among Perimenopausal Women in Rural Turkey: a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms among perimenopausal women in a rural area of southeastern Turkey and their association with sleep quality, depression and sociodemographic and lifestyle-related factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 122 perimenopausal women aged 40-55 years residing in southeastern rural Turkey. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), alongside demographic data collection. Results: The median age was 46 years (43-49 years). Higher MRS scores were significantly linked to a sedentary lifestyle, poor self-rated health and concerns about partner infidelity. MRS total scores were moderately correlated with global PSQI scores (r = 0.49, p < 0.001) and strongly correlated with BDI scores (r = 0.71, p < 0.001). Severe menopausal symptoms were significantly associated with poor sleep quality (odds ratio [OR] = 2.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-5.95), mild to severe depression (OR = 4.78; 95% CI: 2.08-10.98) and poor self-rated general health (OR = 2.76; 95% CI: 1.03-7.41), even after adjusting for age, parity and body mass index. Conclusions: Perimenopausal women in southeastern rural Turkey experience severe menopausal symptoms that are significantly associated with self-rated general health, sleep quality and depression.