Anxiety and Depression in Japanese Patients with Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

Women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) may have anxiety and depression; however, this is unclear.

A total of 646 postmenopausal women undergoing treatment for menopausal symptoms were enrolled in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Questionnaire responses were recorded at the first visit, and participants were divided into GSM (≥1 moderate or severe GSM symptom) or no-GSM (without any moderate/severe symptoms) groups. Mental health was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The HADS scores of the two groups were compared, and GSM symptoms affecting mental health were analyzed using a logistic regression model.

350 (54.2%) women were assigned to the GSM group. Among GSM symptoms, urinary frequency was the most common (moderate/severe: 37.5%). The proportion of participants with anxiety was significantly higher in the GSM group than in the no-GSM group, and odds ratio (OR) was 1.429 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.046-1.951). Additionally, the proportion of participants with both anxiety and depression was significantly higher in the GSM group than in the no-GSM group. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that urinary frequency was significantly associated with anxiety (OR 1.429; 95% CI 1.046-1.951) and depression (OR 1.639, 95% CI 1.189-2.261).

Japanese women with GSM reported higher HADS scores for anxiety than those without GSM. Among GSM symptoms, urinary frequency was common, which affected the mental health of menopausal women the most. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the possibility that women seeking care for menopausal symptoms may have comorbid frequent urination and anxiety.