Climacteric symptoms among Japanese women and men: comparison of four symptom checklists

To explore whether Japanese kōnenki (climacteric) symptoms are unique to women or are experienced by men, to compare common symptom indices, and to explore the relationship between symptoms and soy intake.

Two-week recall of 54 symptoms, an eight-item food frequency questionnaire, and views about kōnenki were collected from 60 individuals in Kanazawa, Japan. Factor analysis identified kōnenki-associated symptom groupings; Blatt-Kupperman, Simplified Menopausal Index, Lock, and Kanazawa symptom scores were calculated; and sex and kōnenki status differences were tested.

Thirty-two women and 22 men (mean age 48.7 years) provided complete questionnaires. Although males had higher prevalence of stress, irritability, and nervousness (p < 0.05), no men reported having kōnenki. Four of eight female symptom factors exhibited significant correlations with kōnenki status. All symptom index scores were lower in pre-kōnenki women than in peri-kōnenki women, but scores for men and women did not differ. Soy intake and Lock score were negatively correlated among women.

Several symptoms commonly associated with kōnenki in Japan are not unique to women and have higher prevalence in men. Inclusion of men in climacteric studies may permit identification of male climacteric symptoms and assessment of the specificity of many typical female climacteric symptoms, thus refining and standardizing symptom checklists.