Menopause Status and Risk Factors for COVID-19 in the Elderly

Abstract

The cessation of the menstrual cycle in women (menopause), which usually occurs in women aged over 40 years, is often accompanied by significant impacts on both physical and psychological health. During menopause, women experience a decrease in estrogen levels which is a protective factor in the woman’s body by decreasing chemokine ligand 2 expression during inflammation. Postmenopausal women who have experienced a decrease in their protective agents are more susceptible to being exposed to viruses. This study identified the correlation between menopause status and risk factors for COVID-19 by using Spearman rho. The participants in this retrospective cross-sectional study were 30 elderly women, 33 to 64 years old, at Posyandu lansia (Integrated Health Care System for Elderly) who expressed their willingness to participate in this study from April 1st until June 19th, 2022, by online survey or by filling out the menopause health and risk factor of COVID-19 questionnaires manually. Risk factors of COVID-19, such as comorbid disease, lack of exercise, low healthy life patterns, and obesity, have a significant correlation with the menopausal status of elder women. Half of them had graduated from senior high school and got menarche at 9 years old. Twenty per cent of them had a risk factor of COVID-19, and more than half of them used contraception. The number of elder people who were already in menopause was 27 per cent. Elderly people should improve their immune systems and prepare for menopause to lower the incidence of COVID-19 infection.
 Keywords: COVID-19, elderly, menopause, risk factors