Qualidade de vida e sintomas de mulheres que vivenciam o climatério: uma análise clínico-social.

Abstract

Climacteric is characterized by the transition period between the reproductive and non-reproductive periods, marked by hormonal changes that cause clinical manifestations in women, interfering with their quality of life (QoL). These changes cause physical, emotional, sexual, psychosocial, family, and occupational symptoms, which directly affect women's health. Furthermore, a woman's sociodemographic context can have a greater or lesser impact on her QoL. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life and clinical characteristics of women experiencing climacteric. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, exploratory study with a quantitative approach. Three instruments were used for data collection: a sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical questionnaire; the WHOQOL-Bref, to assess QoL; and the Kupperman Index, to assess climacteric symptoms. The sample consisted of 100 women aged 40 to 65, monitored by the Family Health Strategy of the city of Cuité, Paraíba. Data collection was carried out between March and May 2025. For data analysis, Excel® 2016 and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences® (SPSS) - version 26.0 were used. Results and discussion: The most prevalent symptomatology was arthralgia/myalgia (80%), which also stood out as the most intense symptom reported by the participants. Regarding the intensity of symptoms, 46% had mild symptoms, 46% moderate, and 8% intense. Regarding QOL, the best score was obtained in the psychological domain (M = 70.58), while the environmental domain obtained the lowest score (M = 66.03). The intensity of symptoms was more severe in widowed women (Md = 31), with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.040), in the age group of 61 to 65 years (Md = 31); (p = 0.020), with incomplete elementary education (Md = 24); (p = 0.043) and family income less than one minimum wage (Md = 23); (p = 0.021). The age group variable demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the groups in the environment (p = 0.030), social relations (p = 0.028) and general (p = 0.014) domains. When comparing the quality of life and the intensity of climacteric symptoms, women who had moderate symptoms had a lower score in the physical domain (Md = 60.71); (p = 0.000), as well as a lower general quality of life score (Md = 65.68); (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Thus, it was concluded that most participants reported mild to moderate climacteric symptoms, with arthralgia/myalgia being the most frequently reported symptom, as well as the symptom with the highest percentage of mild intensity. Regarding QoL, the highest mean was observed in the psychological domain and the lowest in the environmental domain. When comparing the Kupperman Index and WHOQOL-Bref scores with sociodemographic characteristics, a statistically significant difference was observed between the groups, with medians that reinforce that the social determinants involved in a woman's life influence how she experiences climacteric, impacting her quality of life. In this sense, the study contributes to comprehensive health care for climacteric women and highlights the importance of effective public policies in this care.