Menopausal symptoms among perimenopausal women in rural Turkey: a cross-sectional study

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.

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.

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.

Perimenopausal women in southeastern rural Turkey experience severe menopausal symptoms that are significantly associated with self-rated general health, sleep quality and depression.