Modeling the risk factors of women with very severe menopausal symptoms.

AIM: Individual differences and sociodemographic, gynecological, and cultural characteristics affect the severity of menopausal symptoms. This study aimed to reveal the severity of menopausal symptoms experienced by Turkish women and the risk factors that cause women to experience very severe menopausal symptoms. METHODS: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 435 women in menopause. The Personal Information Form and the Menopause Rating Scale were used to collect data. In logistic regression analysis, backward stepwise Wald binary logistic regression method was used. In the logistic regression analysis, there were 30 independent variables. The dependent variable was determined as the total MRS score. RESULTS: The mean score of the somatic symptoms sub-dimension was 3.14 ± 2.12, the mean score of the psychological symptoms sub-dimension was 10.11 ± 5.66, and the mean score of the urogenital symptoms sub-dimension was 3.58 ± 2.90. The total mean score of the Menopause Rating Scale was 16.83 ± 9.31. Menopausal age between 44 and 50 years old (OR = 10.681), having a chronic illness (OR = 6.432), having more than 5 pregnancies (OR = 5.372), and spouse's primary school or below education level (OR = 4.02) increase the severity of menopausal symptoms. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that healthcare professionals evaluate the symptoms of women in the menopause period to provide them with psychological and social support and to help the spouse and family cooperate with women in menopause in compliance with the process.

Depression symptoms and quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: To determine depression symptoms and quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: The data were collected using the Participant Information Form, PCOS Quality of Life Questionnaire (PCOSQ-50), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The study was conducted with 131 women. FINDINGS: The average BDI score was found to be lower in women with PCOS who perceived their income as sufficient (p = 0.033) and who worked (p = 0.003) and was found to be higher in the participants who had hirsutism (p = 0.008) and acne (p = 0.045). The PCOSQ-50 average score was 178.15 ± 27.27 in women without depression symptoms and 139.14 ± 31.33 in women with depression symptoms. The PCOSQ-50 total score was higher in women without depressive symptoms (p = 0.000). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals should evaluate depression symptom levels using standard measurement tools and provide appropriate counseling.

The effect of music therapy on menopausal symptoms and depression: a randomized-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Menopausal syndrome generally includes psychological problems. Listening to music has been used to cope with changes during this period. This study was conducted to determine the effect of listening to music on the symptoms of menopause and depression levels. METHODS: This randomized-controlled study was carried out between July 2019 and December 2020. The study sample consisted of 48 postmenopausal women (21 in the music group and 27 in the control group). Music was played by the researcher to the postmenopausal women in the intervention group in a total of 18 sessions for six weeks. The data were collected using an introductory information form, Beck depression inventory (BDI), and menopause rating scale (MRS). RESULTS: The posttest MRS scores of the women in the control group were higher than those in the music group, without a statistically significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). Comparison of the post-test BDI scores of the participants in the music and control groups revealed a significant decrease in the depression scores among the women in the music group (P = 0.036). Comparison of the pretest and posttest MRS and BDI differences between the participants showed a statistically significant decrease in the MRS total and sub-scale scores among the women in the music group after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant decrease of posttest BDI scores of the women in the music group but not in the control group. Listening to music can help reduce depression levels and symptoms of menopause in postmenopausal women. Music could be used as a nonpharmacological therapeutic option in nursing care.

Experiences of Pregnant Women Participating in Antenatal Yoga: A Qualitative Study.

Context: Pregnancy yoga is a modified version of yoga for pregnant women, and it aims to reduce pregnancy-related symptoms, such as insomnia, low back pain, tiredness, constipation, leg cramps, and shortness of breath. Objective: The study aimed to identify the experiences and expectations of pregnant women related to the practice of yoga. Method: The research team conducted a qualitative study. Setting: The study took place at the antenatal clinic of a public hospital in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. Participants: The participants were 24 pregnant women at the clinic. Intervention: The study included an intervention group that performed yoga and received routine antenatal care; however, no control groups were used. Each yoga intervention was held for approximately 40-45 minutes, with yoga asana periods lasting 30 minutes. The pregnant women were expected to participate in yoga practice twice a week on a regular basis for 8 weeks. Outcome Measures: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was performed. Results: Four major themes emerged: (1) perceptions about pregnancy, (2) management of pregnancy symptoms, (3) prenatal attachment, and (4) birth perceptions. According to participants, the benefits of yoga practice were management of pregnancy symptoms, increased prenatal attachment, a positive perception of the birth, natural-birth beliefs, and management of fear and pain during birth. Conclusions: The participants reported barriers to performing yoga; however, they also said that they would try pregnancy yoga if they were encouraged by healthcare professionals. Also, the participants stated that pregnancy yoga practice should be made a part of antenatal education to facilitate participation.