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Patients with a history of psychosocial stressors can have worse menopause symptoms and poorer well-being almost two decades later highlighting the long-lasting influence of adverse experiences on women’s physical and mental health.
The study published in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), found that adversity occurring early in a woman’s life will likely continue taking its toll physically and mentally years after those stressors have been removed
Researchers specifically focused on the history of stressors as reported at the time of pregnancy and their connection with a woman’s health during midlife 15 to 20 years later.
Within this study group, a history of physical abuse was reported by 37.3% of the participants who also reported worse menopause symptoms and worse general health, as well as greater depressive symptoms. Another 7.7% reported a history of sexual abuse, which was also associated with worse symptoms during the menopause transition, as well as worse general health. However, there was no documented correlation with depressive symptoms.
Psychosocial stressors were associated with worse menopause symptoms
A history of financial instability was associated with worse menopause symptoms, worse general health, and greater depressive symptoms. There was no association, however, between psychosocial stressors and generalised anxiety symptoms assessed at midlife.
Based on study results, the researchers concluded that psychosocial stressors were associated with worse menopause symptoms and well-being decades after the initial report.
Dr Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director, said: “This study provides additional evidence to support the link between adversity earlier in life with worse menopause symptoms and poorer well-being in midlife women. Additional study is needed to better understand the effect of cumulative exposure to chronic and repeated stress on the health of women in midlife and beyond.”