Intensidade dos sintomas apresentados em dois grupos etários de mulheres climatéricas.

Abstract

Climacteric is a phase of female life in which the reproductive period begins to fade slowly, accompanied with several unpleasant signs and symptoms. This study has aimed to evaluate the intensity of the symptoms experienced in women who are between the beginning and end of the climacteric. A cross-sectional and qualitative study was carried out, with a sample of 100 women separated in two age groups (group 1, women between 40-52 years and group 2, between 53-65 years). Two instruments were used for data collection, a form with clinical, sociodemographic and behavioral data, and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) to evaluate the intensity of symptoms. The Chi-square test and a Central tendency measure (modal value for menarche ages) were used. The most frequent symptoms in Group 1 were psychological and group 2 were of the Somato-vegetative and urogenital domains. There was a difference between the groups only in relation to the intensity of psychological symptoms. In the behavioral aspect, younger women, group 1, stood out in alcohol consumption, unlike older women in Group 2 who did not consume alcoholic beverages. The women who seeked medical care, and those who used HRT to treat symptoms, many reported feeling improvements. Most of who were interviewed were non-smokers, but most were sedentary. Given the importance of the theme, it is necessary to invest more in related researches, in order to contribute to the quality of life of the climacteric women.