The Effects of Loneliness on Menopausal Symptoms

Abstract

Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of menopausal symptoms on the loneliness of women in the menopausal period.Methods: The study sample consisted of 546 women who applied to the menopause polyclinic of a state hospital in Istanbul and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, UCLA Loneliness Scale and Menopausal Symptom Rating Scale (MRS).Results: The mean age of the women included in the study was 52.70 ± 6.39. The mean scores of menopausal symptoms of women included in the study; were found to be higher in women with low education level (p = 0.001), women with big family structure (p = 0,002) and women with low income (p = 0,001). It was determined that women with less education (p = 0,015), women not working (p = 0,001) and women with low income (p = 0,001) were found to have higher mean loneliness scores. Correlation analysis revealed that the mean scores of menopausal symptoms were increased (p = 0,000) as the loneliness level average of women increased. Women with the most severe mean scores of menopausal symptoms were found to have the highest mean level of loneliness (p = 0,000).Conclusion: Women with high levels of loneliness were found to have experienced severe menopausal symptoms. It was determined that as women’s level of loneliness increased, menopausal symptoms increased.