Risk Behaviors and Quality of Life in Women During Climacteric in Northwestern Mexico: A Humanistic Science Perspective

Introduction: climacteric is a transitional stage in women’s lives, characterized by biological, psychological, and social changes that directly impact quality of life. In Mexico, this process is particularly relevant given the increasing number of women experiencing it and the need to understand its determinants from a holistic perspective. Objective: to determine the factors and interrelationships that explain quality of life in women during climacteric in northwestern Mexico, adopting a humanistic science approach. Methodology: an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study with correlational analysis and logistic regression was conducted. A sample of 380 women aged 45–60 years was selected through probabilistic stratified sampling at a Family Medicine Unit of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) in Culiacán, Sinaloa. Data were collected using the CDP-9 form and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Results: unemployment and comorbidities significantly increased the likelihood of severe symptoms across somatic, psychological, and urogenital domains. Conversely, menstruation within the last 12 months acted as a protective factor in the psychological and urogenital dimensions. Multivariate models yielded AUC values ranging from 0,759 to 0,801, supporting their discriminative accuracy. Conclusions: quality of life during climacteric emerges as a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by clinical and social determinants beyond hormonal decline. These findings highlight the need for integral and culturally sensitive interventions that address women’s physical, psychological, and social health simultaneously.