Prevalence of Psychiatric Morbidity and Somatic Symptoms in Perimenopausal Women

ABSTRACT During the perimenopausal phase, women experience a myriad of somatic symptoms as well as changes in mood and emotions which could be related to the endocrine changes and psychological factors during this transition. The aim was to assess the prevalence of somatic symptoms and psychiatric morbidity in perimenopausal women. By purposive sampling, 100 women in the age group of 45–55 years were included in the study with their consent. They were assessed with a self-made sociodemographic proforma, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS 21), Menopause Rating Scale, big five inventory scale (BFI-10), and social support scale. Psychiatric morbidity was seen in 41% of perimenopausal women, out of which 32% showed somatic symptoms. Seventeen percent had mild-to-moderate depressive features, 17% showed mild-to-moderate anxiety, and 7% were dysthymic. Prevalent life stressors seemed to affect the transition into menopause for many women which directly corresponded to the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and somatic symptoms in them.