Physical performance and severity of menopausal symptoms in Brazilian climacteric women

The climacteric period is associated with physical and psychosocial symptoms that may adversely affect functional capacity. This study aimed to assess physical performance and the severity of climacteric symptoms in women undergoing the menopausal transition, and to analyze the relationship between symptom intensity and physical performance. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 184 women presenting climacteric symptoms, aged between 40 and 65 years, in the pre-menopause, perimenopause, and post-menopause stages. Menopausal status was determined using the Stage of Reproductive Aging Workshop, and climacteric symptoms were assessed with the Menopause Rating Scale. Physical performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery, while cognitive function was evaluated through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment instrument. Absolute and relative frequencies, means, and standard deviations were used. Group comparisons were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis test, and correlation between variables were assessed using the Spearman correlation test. A significance level of p < .05 and a 95 percent confidence interval were considered. Postmenopausal women exhibited lower scores in balance (p = 0,025) and sit-to-stand (p = 0,006) compared to premenopausal women. Overall, 70,1 percent of participants reported severe menopausal symptoms. There were weak but significant correlations between greater symptom intensity and worse gait speed performance (r_s = 0.18; p = 0.014), as well as between somatovegetative symptoms (r_s = 0.20; p = 0.007) reduced balance (r_s = -0.18; p = 0.016) and gait performance (r ₂= 0.20; p = 0.007). Advanced menopausal stages are associated with poorer physical performance. Symptom severity additionally impacts physical function, reinforcing the importance of preventive strategies.