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Menopausal symptom distress elevated by recent abuse

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Women who reported recent abuse, particularly emotional or verbal abuse, also reported greater bother from menopausal symptoms, according to recent study findings presented at The North American Menopause Society Annual Meeting.

“We found that those reporting abuse in the last year had higher mean total [menopausal symptom bother] scores and higher scores for each of the identified menopause symptoms with the exception of hot flashes and night sweats,” Stephanie Faubion, MD, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Office of Women’s Health, said in a press release. “In particular, we found a strong correlation with verbal and emotional abuse.”

Faubion and colleagues evaluated 3,740 women who presented for menopause consultation in the Women’s Health Clinic and completed the Menopause Health Questionnaire between 2006 and Oct. 7, 2014, to determine whether a relationship exists between menopausal symptom bother and a history of abuse in the last year.

Abuse was physical, sexual, emotional or verbal. Menopausal symptom categories included hot flashes, sleep disturbances, cognitive function, bowel/bladder function, sexual function and general health.

Nearly 7% of women reported experiencing abuse within the past year; verbal or emotional abuse was the most common (96.8%), followed by physical abuse (13.4%) and sexual abuse (3.9%).

More women who reported abuse within the past year were classified as work disabled. A greater percentage of women who reported abuse were cigarette smokers (P < .001). Current alcohol use was lower in those who reported abuse (P = .017), whereas lifetime alcoholism was greater (P < .001).

Women reporting abuse had higher mean total menopausal symptom bother scores (P < .001) and higher scores for each individual symptom (P < .001), except for vasomotor symptoms (P = .387).

“This study highlights the need for health care for providers to find ways to allow and encourage women to report abuse,” Wulf Utian, MD, PhD, DSc, executive director of The North American Menopause Society, said in the release. – by Amber Cox

Reference:

Vegunta S, et al. P-17. Presented at: The North American Menopause Society Annual Meeting; Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 2015; Las Vegas.

Disclosure: Endocrine Today was unable to confirm any relevant financial disclosures.