A BSTRACT Background: Perimenopause is a transitional phase before menopause, characterized by hormonal fluctuations and irregular menstrual cycles, which can impact overall well-being and relationship. This study examines the prevalence of menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal women and their association with marital relationship. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study from November 2023 to February 2024 recruited 979 perimenopausal women aged 40-60 from 7 rural and 3 urban sectors of Khordha district, Odisha. On screening, 768 participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were assessed for the severity of menopausal symptoms using the Menopause Rating Scale and the Marital Relationship Questionnaire assessed marital relationship. A semi-structured interview was conducted to explore the partner’s support from a woman’s point of view. Chi-square and Bonferroni’s post hoc analysis were used to associate the severity of menopausal symptoms with marital relationship. Result: The prevalence of menopausal symptoms was 81.19% among the women whose mean age was 47.8 ± 5.2 years. On assessment, severe symptoms were more prevalent among 52.73% of women, whereas only 1.40% reported mild symptoms. There was a significant association between the severity of menopausal symptoms and marital relationship. On Bonferroni’s post hoc analysis, a significant association existed between mild symptoms with good marital relationship and severe menopausal symptoms with a poor relationship. The age and previous medical history were also associated with severe menopausal symptoms, whereas marital relationship was associated with previous medical history. Conclusion: In perimenopausal women, the symptoms significantly impact marital relationship. Effectively addressing the needs and challenges of menopause can facilitate a smoother transition, promoting better health outcomes and overall well-being for women during this phase.
Choudhary et al. (Tue,) studied this question.