Well-being Of Middle-aged Women Research Articles

Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack standardised water extract (Physta) on well-being of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: protocol for a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group study

IntroductionEurycoma longifolia Jack (EL), profoundly recognised as ‘Tongkat Ali’, is a medicinal herb originating from Southeast Asia. It is commonly used in traditional ‘antiageing’ treatments to address decreased energy, mood,...

Socio-demographic Determinants of Women’s Adjustment to Midlife Crisis in Selected Local Government Areas in Oyo State, Nigeria

The incidence of midlife crises and the negative consequences on the well-being of middle-aged women is on the increase while their ability to cope differs. This study examines the socio-demographic factors that influence women’s adjustment to the midlife crisis in selected local government areas of Oyo state, Nigeria. Also, it elucidates the support systems in dealing with psychosocial issues associated with a midlife crisis. The study was anchored on Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory and Levinson’s Stage-crisis view. The descriptive research design was adopted, and multistage and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the local governments and the participants for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 165 women. Hypotheses were tested using descriptive statistics and One-way ANOVA. The findings reveal that the onset of midlife crisis among women was significant among women aged 45 to 54 at 55.76%. Income status has a significant impact on women during the midlife crisis as participants with higher income (above #200,000) adjusted better. Participants who received support from the immediate family significantly adjusted better than those who received support from other support systems F (3,161) = 12.417, p < .01]. This study established that the age of onset of a midlife crisis, higher regular income, and adequate system of support from the immediate family were significant factors for women’s adjustment during a midlife crisis. This study recommends the creation of awareness of the reality of the midlife crisis and the implementation of policies and programs as well as the provision of adequate support systems for women.

The structure of menopausal syndrome: Using network analysis to understand unique symptomatic relationships.

To explore the network structure underlying the symptoms of menopausal syndrome and to identify the central and bridge symptoms of menopause among middle-aged women. This is a cross-sectional survey study conducted in the Chinese community with a total of 1829 women aged 40-65 years. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess the menopausal syndrome, including somato-vegetative, psychological, and urogenital subdomains. The network analysis was performed to determine the central and bridge symptoms of menopause. In the network of menopausal symptoms, anxiety, vaginal dryness, depressive mood, and irritability were the most central symptoms. Depressive mood, anxiety, and vaginal dryness were also detected as the bridge symptoms. The estimated network between the symptoms had good stability (CS-strength=0.75 and CS-edge=0.75). The present network analysis provided unique insights into the inner structure of menopausal symptoms. Psychological symptoms should be considered as the core symptoms in developing relevant interventions to improve the health and well-being of middle-aged women.

The effect of green walking on psychological wellbeing of middle-aged women in women park

Background: The benefits of walking in natural environments for well-being are increasingly understood. However, less well known are the impacts different types of natural environments have on psychological well-being. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of green walking on psychological wellbeing of middle-aged women in women park. Methods: The statistical population is 40 women of 48-59 years old, which has gone to one of the health houses of the second district of Tehran for group consultation. Among them, 30 women who had the lowest psychological wellbeing score was chosen as the original samples and were placed randomly into two groups of experimental (15) and control (15). The intervention program was the eighth session of walking in women park of Tehran. Psychological wellbeing questionnaire was implemented in both control and experimental groups, before the first session and after the last session of the hike. Results: The results of ANCOVA test analysis showed a significant difference between psychological wellbeing of experimental group and control group. Also, the study demonstrated that green walking program had positive effects on increasing the personal growth, positive relations with others, self-acceptance, and purpose in life, but it has no meaningful effect on Environmental mastery. Conclusions: Overall, the present results indicate that a green walking in the parks and green spaces because of good weather conditions, less noise and enhance social relationships can be reduces mental stress, and the middle-aged women feel mirthfulness, happiness and well-being.

The Quality of Life During and After Menopause Among Rural Women

The overall health and well-being of middle-aged women has become a major public health concern around the world. More than 80% of the women experience physical or psychological symptoms in the years when they approach menopause, with various distresses and disturbances in their lives, leading to a decrease in the quality of life. The aim of our study was to assess the quality of life and the impact of hormonal changes in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women and to correlate the prevalence of the symptoms with their duration since menopause. A cross- sectional study was done at Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry, from January 2012 to April 2012. Five hundred women who were in the age group of 40-65 years, who came from rural areas to our hospital, were included in the study. The women who were receiving hormonal treatment and those who refused to participate in the study were excluded. The data such as the socio-demographic information and the menstruation status, which were based on the reported length of time since the last menstrual period and the experience of the symptoms, as were tested in the Menopause Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire, were collected from each patient. The women who were included in the study were divided into three groups as the menopause transition, early postmenopausal and the late postmenopausal groups. All the data which were gathered were analyzed by using SAS 9.2. The Chi square test and the relative risk and the confidence interval calculations were applied to compare the frequencies of the symptoms among the women with different menopausal statuses. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Mean menopausal age in the study group was 45 years. The most common symptom within study subjects were low back ache (79%) and muscle-joint pain (77.2%). The least frequent symptoms were increase in facial hair (15%) and feeling of dryness during intimacy (10.8%). Scores of vasomotor domain were significantly more in menopause transition group. Scores of physical domain were significantly more in late postmenopausal group. The menopause related symptoms had a negative effect on the quality of life of the perimenopausal and the postmenopausal women. Such regional studies can help in creating awareness and in educating women on the early identification of the common menopausal symptoms.

Effects of Dan Jeon Breathing Exercise on Physical Health Promotion in Middle Aged Women

Purpose: This study was to examine the effects of Dan Jeon Breathing on physical health promotion in middle aged women. Method: This study was quasi-experimental with a nonequivalent control group pre-post test design. The subjects were classified into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group had 21 middle-aged women who did Dan Jeon Breathing, the control group consisted of 22 middle aged women. Dan Jeon Breathing was carried out for 40 minutes a day, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The difference between the experimental group and control group was verified with an -test, t-test and paired and unpaired t-test. Results: The score of physical symptoms for the experimental group was lower than that of the control group. The score of physical strength for the experimental group was higher than that of the control group. Conclusion: Dan Jeon Breathing can be a physical health promotion for middle aged women. In terms of nursing practice, Dan Jeon Breathing can be utilized as a nursing intervention for physical well-being of middle aged women.

Gynecology and sexuality in middle-aged women.

In Sweden and other Western societies, the number of women above the age of 40 is increasing and health and well-being of middle-aged women is an increasing matter of concern. This study examines menstrual histories, gynecological operations, urinary incontinence, and reproductive functions in a representative sample of middle-aged women, as well as the frequency of climacteric symptoms and how to predict the women at risk for acquiring these symptoms. The sexuality of the mature woman as also explored. Women aged 37 to 66 years were randomly selected from the Census Register in Goteborg, Sweden. The bulk of information was obtained by means of questionnaires. Among the findings are that the median age for natural menopause was 50.9 years. Forty percent of the postmenopausal women reported frequent vasomotor symptoms. The occurrence of climacteric complaints is strongly connected to psychosocial variables. Every tenth woman reported frequent urinary leakage. Fifty-three percent of the women had undergone a D&C and 9% were hysterectomized. The woman around 40 reported few sexual partners (median 3) and her first intercourse occurred at age 18. Extramarital sex was uncommon. The masturbation rate was low and the frequency of homosexuality was extremely low. The majority of women had experienced orgasm.