The Effect of Menopausal Symptoms on Subjective Well-Being

Background: Menopausal symptoms may adversely affect women's overall health and well-being. Aim: This study investigated the effects of menopausal symptoms on subjective well-being in women in the 40-65 age group. Methods: The study sample consisted of 510 women, with 318 postmenopausal and 192 perimenopausal participants. Data were gathered using a Sociodemographic Information Form, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and the Subjective Well-being Scale (SWBS), all administered as self-report instruments. Menopausal status was determined using the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop +10 criteria. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Pearson correlation, and regression analyses were used. Results: Three regression models were specified to investigate the relationship between menopausal symptoms and subjective well-being. Model 1 demonstrated that overall menopausal symptoms were significant negative predictors of subjective well-being (B = -0.749, SE = 0.156, β = -0.260, t = -4.788, p < 0.001, 95% CI [-1.06, -0.44], R² = 0.068). Model 2 showed that both urogenital symptoms (B = -1.208, SE = 0.517, β = -0.139, t = -2.336, p = 0.020, 95% CI [-2.22, -0.20]) and somatic symptoms (B = -2.068, SE = 0.731, β = -0.168, t = -2.830, p = 0.005, 95% CI [-3.50, -0.64]) were significant negative predictors. Model 3 indicated that psychological symptoms significantly and negatively predicted subjective well-being (B = -1.114, SE = 0.262, β = -0.233, t = -4.253, p < 0.001, 95% CI [-1.63, -0.60], R² = 0.054). Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive health strategies and demonstrate that psychological symptoms significantly impact overall well-being.