Climacteric symptoms and their impact on quality of life among middle-aged rural Turkish women: A preliminary study

ÖZÇİVİT İ. B., Gulcicek A., Aydin S. N., EREL C. T., Senturk L. M.

MATURITAS, vol.204, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 204
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108804
  • Journal Name: MATURITAS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Abstracts in Social Gerontology, BIOSIS, CINAHL, EMBASE, Gender Studies Database, MEDLINE
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study evaluated the prevalence and severity of climacteric symptoms, their impact on quality of life, and their association with sociodemographic factors among middle-aged women in rural south-eastern Turkey. The participants were 257 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women aged 40-65 residing in Mardin. They completed the Menopause Rating Scale, Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire, and demographic forms. The mean age was 48.9 years; most were perimenopausal (55.3 %), married (96.5 %), and either illiterate (38.5 %) or had received only primary education (46.7 %). Only 4.7 % used menopausal hormone therapy. Joint and muscular discomfort predominated in perimenopause, while vasomotor symptoms were most frequent in postmenopause. Poor self-rated health, lack of menopause awareness, medication use, and history of psychiatric consultation predicted poorer quality of life.