Maryam Jahangirifar, Rakibul M Islam, Susan R Davis, Ensieh Fooladi
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to document the prevalence and severity of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and sexual symptoms among refugee women in Melbourne, Australia.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included refugee women, aged 18-63 years, recruited from community centers and social media between February and July 2023. The Menopause-specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire measured VMS and sexual symptoms. The scores were compared between different menopausal states.
Results: Of 333 participants, 62.8% were premenopausal, 8.0% perimenopausal and 29.2% postmenopausal, with a median age of 40 years (range 18-63 years). Moderate-severe VMS was most prevalent amongst perimenopausal (20.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.9-41.4%) versus postmenopausal (9.5%; 95% CI: 5.0-17.3%) and premenopausal (0%) women. Moderate-severe sexual symptoms affected 15.8% (95% CI: 5.2-39.3%) of perimenopausal and 16.9% (95% CI: 10.4-26.1%) of postmenopausal women versus 1.4% (95% CI: 0.3-5.3%) of premenopausal women. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women had higher VMS and sexual symptom scores than premenopausal women (both p < 0.0001); the scores were also higher in perimenopausal women than postmenopausal women (p = 0.016 and p = 0.013, respectively).
Conclusion: While perimenopausal and postmenopausal VMS and sexual symptoms are not uncommon amongst refugee women, these symptoms were less prevalent in postmenopausal refugees than in the non-refugee population. Further research is warranted to confirm and expand on these findings.
期刊介绍:
Climacteric is the official journal of the International Menopause Society (IMS). As an international peer-reviewed journal it publishes original research and reviews of all aspects of aging in women.
Climacteric was founded by the IMS in 1998 and today has become a leading journal in the publication of peer-reviewed papers on the menopause, climacteric and mid-life health. Topics covered include endocrine changes, symptoms attributed to the menopause and their treatment, hormone replacement and alternative therapies, lifestyles, and the counselling and education of peri- and postmenopausal women. Climacteric, published bimonthly, also features regular invited reviews, editorials and commentaries on recent developments.
The editorial review board of Climacteric includes leading scientific and clinical experts in the field of midlife medicine and research and is headed by its Editor-in-Chief, Professor Rod Baber of Australia. He and his team of Associate Editors act independently to set a clear editorial policy, co-ordinate peer review, and ensure a rapid response to submitted papers.