The Mood of Menopausal Women is Affected by Stress Levels and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

Research Article

Ann Nurs Res Pract. 2023; 8(1): 1054.

The Mood of Menopausal Women is Affected by Stress Levels and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

Fausto DY¹*; Martins JBB¹; Roza TH¹; Pogere A²; Guimarães ACA¹

1Human Moviment Sciences of Santa Catarina State University, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil

2Tocogynecology Department of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil

*Corresponding author: Fausto DY PhD Student in Human Moviment Sciences, Department of Health and Sports Sciences College of Santa Catarina State University, Pascoal Simone, 358, Coqueiros, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Tel: +55 (48) 3664-8629; +55 (48) 99944-3988 Email: dani.090594@hotmail.com

Received: March 23, 2023 Accepted: April 27, 2023 Published: May 04, 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Menopause is a period of vulnerability to psychological manifestations and can increase the sensitivity of emotions to stress and mood. Studies have analyzed factors associated with stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression, however, it is still scarce in the literature whether the mood changes these symptoms in menopausal women.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between mood and stress and depressive symptoms and anxiety in menopausal women.

Methods: Cross-sectional study composed of 90 menopausal women aged 40 to 59 years (52.6±4.1), one year without menstruation, with serum FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) levels ≥25IU/ml, and with a positive score to the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) questionnaire. The questionnaires were composed of sociodemographic and clinical aspects, Brunel’s Mood Scale (BRUMS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results: Women who showed symptoms of anxiety and depression scored more on the subscales of negative mood (p<0,001), and less on the subscale of positive mood (p<0,001) for depression and anxiety (p=0,005); besides that they were more stressed than those without symptoms of anxiety and depression. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that mental confusion, fatigue and vigor have a predictive power of 33% in the stress of menopausal women.

Conclusions: The mood of women in menopause seems to be affected by those with high levels of stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Menopause; Mood; Stress

Introduction

Menopause is a period of vulnerability to psychological manifestations [1], and can increase the sensitivity of emotions to stress and mood [2,3]. During the menopause transition and in the early post-menopausal years women are more likely to report depressed mood when compared to pre-menopausal women [4-6]. Although mood disorders can develop a greater depressive state, symptoms of depression are more common and deserve attention [7]. The prevalence of depression in females is approximately 20%, and the risk of its manifestation in women is 1,5 to 3 times higher than in men.

Women with high levels of anxiety during pre-menopause continue to experience this anxiety during the menopause transition, while those with low anxiety have an increased risk of developing high levels of anxiety during and after the menopause transition [8-10]. To date, studies have analyzed factors associated with stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression, however, it is still scarce in the literature whether the mood changes these symptoms in menopausal women. Since the increased deregulation of ovarian hormones can cause psychological damage at this stage of life, this study aims to analyze the relationship between mood and stress and depressive symptoms and anxiety in menopausal women.

Methods

Study Type and Participants

Cross-sectional study analyzes baseline data from the study '' The effect of concurrent training and vitex agnus-castus on menopausal women on psychological, physical, hormonal profile and sexual function: a randomized clinical trial'', a registered randomized clinical trial registered on the ReBEC platform (RBR number - 87ndrv). Carried out from October 2019 to November 2020, composed of menopausal women aged 40 to 59 years. To participate in the research, women should be residents of the Florianópolis - Santa Catarina (SC) region, be one year without menstruating and have serum FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) levels ≥25IU/ml [11]. In addition, women should have a positive score on the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) questionnaire [12]. Those who used Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) were excluded.

The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (CEPSH) of the University of the State of Santa Catarina (UDESC), protocol No. 3.672.933. In addition, followed the recommendations of the STROBE [13] (The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology).

Procedures

The recruitment of participants occurred through advertisements in print and electronic media from October 2019 to February 2020. Participants responded to a self-administered online survey made up of the MRS questionnaire, and they should present a positive score for symptoms to participate. The next stage of the research. Subsequently, women with symptoms were invited to perform blood collection in order to check FSH levels. The collection was performed by a biochemical professional (M.F.) in February 2020 at a higher education institution. Of the 190 women recruited and who answered the questionnaire, 115 made themselves available and performed blood collection. Of these, 105 had FSH levels ≥25IU/ml. After analyzing the eligibility criteria, 2 women who were taking HRT were excluded, 6 for not being able to contact via phone or e-mail, and 7 withdrew from the study, resulting in a total of 90 participants. All participants included in the survey responded to the Informed Consent Term in writing, and the study followed the recommendations and guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinke.

Subsequently, data collection was performed by Google Docs, in which the responsible researchers (DYF; JAK) of the Research Laboratory for Leisure and Physical Activity - LAPLAF/ CNPq, sent the questionnaire links via e-mail and/or WhatsApp to the participants, according to their preference. The clinical questionnaire took approximately 15 minutes to complete. Figure 1 shows the recruitment of participants.