Feelings of unattractiveness in peri- and postmenopausal women are associated with depressed mood, poor memory and unsatisfactory sexual relationships

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, the feeling of unattractiveness in peri- and postmenopausal women.Methods: The records of 351 women aged 40–76 who enrolled in a health and nutrition education program at a menopause clinic were analyzed in a cross-sectional manner. Perceptions of unattractiveness were estimated according to responses for the item ‘feeling less attractive than before’ on the Menopausal Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire. Age, menopausal status, body composition, cardiovascular parameters, physical fitness, and genitourinary, physical, and psychological symptoms of menopause were assessed for associations with feeling unattractive.Results: The percentage of women who felt they were less attractive than before for more than half of the previous week was 33.6%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that independent risk factors for feeling unattractive included depression (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–1.47), dissatisfaction with sexual relationship (adjusted OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.21–2.57), and poor memory (adjusted OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.46–2.49).Conclusions: Feelings of unattractiveness are highly prevalent in peri- and postmenopausal women. Such feelings are associated with depressed moods, poor memory, and unsatisfactory sexual relationships, rather than with age or body composition.