Comorbidities and menopause assessment in women living with HIV: a survey of healthcare providers across the WHO European region.

ABSTRACTWomen living with HIV are reaching older age and experiencing menopause and age-related comorbidities. Data suggest that women living with HIV experience earlier menopause and more menopausal symptoms and age-related comorbidities compared to women without HIV. However, there are no guidelines on the screening for and management of age-related comorbidities and events in women living with HIV. Moreover, little is known about provision of care to this population across Europe. We surveyed 121 HIV healthcare providers in 25 World Health Organization European countries to ascertain screening practices for, and management of, menopause, psychosocial and sexual well-being and age-related comorbidities in women with HIV. Most respondents screened for diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and poor mental health at least annually. Low bone mineral density (BMD) was regularly checked but less than once a year. Fewer regularly screened for sexual well-being and intimate partner violence. Menstrual pattern and menopausal symptoms in women aged 45-54 were assessed by 67% and 59% of respondents. 44% stated that they were not confident assessing menopausal status and/or symptoms. CVD, diabetes, low BMD and poor mental health were managed mainly within HIV clinics, whereas menopause care was mainly provided by gynaecology or primary care. Most respondents stated a need for HIV and menopause guidelines. In conclusion, we found that whilst metabolic risk factors and poor mental health are regularly screened for, psychosocial and sexual well-being and menopausal symptoms could be improved. This highlights the need for international recommendations and clinician training to ensure the health of this population.

Identifying Variables Associated with Menopause-Related Shame and Stigma: Results from a National Survey Study.

Background: Despite the significance of menopause as a natural biological milestone experienced by approximately half the population, few studies have evaluated factors associated with menopause-related shame and stigma. Given previous research indicating increased shame and stigma are associated with negative outcomes that directly impact health (e.g., reduced access to health care), it is critical to identify variables associated with menopause-related shame and stigma. Materials and Methods: As part of a larger, national survey, 214 perimenopausal (n = 111) and postmenopausal (n = 103) individuals completed self-report questionnaires assessing demographics and menopause-related symptoms, shame, and stigma. Regression analyses examined variables associated with shame and stigma. Results: Over a third of respondents reported feeling shame related to their menopause-related symptoms (37.4%), while the majority of respondents reported feeling stigma associated with symptoms (82.7%). In addition, most respondents endorsed talking about their symptoms with friends, family, partners, or doctors (80.8%), and felt that their peers might experience the same symptoms (93.9%). Regression analyses identified several significant predictor variables; in particular, more severe psychosocial and urogenital symptoms, higher education level, and younger age were significantly associated with greater odds of reporting shame and stigma. Conclusions: Overall, findings suggest that even though menopausal individuals report feeling their symptoms are similar to their peers, shame and stigma are significantly associated with these symptoms, which may be impacted by symptom severity and socioeconomic factors. Results suggest that younger individuals (i.e., those just entering perimenopause) with more education may be more likely to feel shame and stigma, which could inform interventional strategies and improve clinical outcomes.

A review of African American women's experiences in menopause.

IMPORTANCE AND OBJECTIVE: Little is known and reported about the experiences of African American women as they transition to and experience menopause. Accepted norms are based on the experience of a predominantly White population. The aim of this study is to review available data about the distinct experiences of African American women during the menopause transition and menopause. METHODS: A literature search was developed and executed by the review team in collaboration with a health sciences librarian. The search combined controlled vocabulary and title/abstract terms related to the health status disparities of African Americans in the menopause transition and menopause. The following databases were searched from inception through April 28, 2022: PubMed, Scopus (Elsevier), and Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: African American women experience distinct differences in physical, psychological, social, and quality of life measures during menopause. Increasing awareness about the unique menopause experiences of African American women is critically important to improve the health of this underserved population.

The relationship between personality traits, menopausal symptoms, and marital adjustment.

This study was aimed at determining the relationship between personality traits, menopausal symptoms and marital adjustment in postmenopausal women. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 599 postmenopausal women who presented to the family health centers between September 2018 and February 2019. Data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Marital Adjustment Test, Cervantes Personality Scale and Menopause Rating Scale. The mean marital adjustment score of the postmenopausal women was 44.03 ± 10.75. The correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between marital adjustment, and personality traits and menopausal symptoms. Education level, economic status, duration of menopause, neurotic and inconsistent personality traits, somatic, psychological and urogenital symptoms were determined to be statistically significant predictive factors of marital adjustment in postmenopausal women.

Assessment of the climacteric syndrome: a narrative review.

PURPOSE: Many menopausal women suffer from a variety of estrogen deficiency-related symptoms and chronic medical conditions. Health care professionals should be able to identify and quantify symptoms to facilitate diagnosis, indicate and monitor treatment. Therefore, various questionnaires have been developed and are used as a simple, time-saving and cost-effective mean to assess and monitor menopausal complaints. The aim of this review is to provide an overview and comparison of the available tools for climacteric syndrome assessment. METHODS: Three electronic databases (Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews/CDRS) were searched covering a time period of 10 years using a combination of relevant controlled vocabulary terms and free-text terms. Relevant references were evaluated for inclusion in a stepwise approach. RESULTS: The literature research revealed four questionnaires (Kupperman Index, Menopause Rating Scale, Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire and Greene Climacteric Scale) that are used to holistically assess the climacteric syndrome, varying in type of assessment, included symptoms, rating system of severity, weighing of symptoms, resulting total rating score and validation status. Further questionnaires are available to assess single symptoms or group of symptoms relating to specific aspects of menopause (e.g., vasomotor symptoms, insomnia, etc.). CONCLUSION: Four holistic questionnaires addressing menopausal symptoms have been developed [KI, MRS, MENQOL (-Intervention), Greene Climacteric Scale]. All but one (KI) have been validated and are available in different languages. However, there are still several shortcomings such as the lack of recognition of ethnic and cultural background and missing thresholds for treatment initiation and monitoring.

Vision for menopause care in the UK.

Menopause is a major life event affecting all women in a variety of ways, both short and long term. All women should have access to accurate information, available in all forms and through all recognised sources. All healthcare professionals should have a basic understanding of the menopause and know where to signpost women for advice, support and treatment whenever appropriate. Every primary care team should have at least one nominated healthcare professional with a special interest and knowledge in menopause. All healthcare professionals with a special interest in menopause should have access to British Menopause Society Menopause Specialists for advice, support, onward referral and leadership of multidisciplinary education. With the introduction of the comprehensive British Menopause Society Principles and Practice of Menopause Care programme, the society is recognised throughout the UK as the leading provider of certificated menopause and post reproductive health education and training for healthcare professionals. Restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic have been a springboard for the British Menopause Society to bring innovations to the services provided for our membership and for healthcare professionals throughout the UK.

Menopausal Symptoms and Associated Social and Environmental Factors in Midlife Chinese Women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dependency of menopausal symptoms on age and/or menopausal status and association with social and environmental factors. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted on 4595 women (40-83 years) coming from 31 provinces during two years to our "Menopause Clinic", the first official center in China. Menopausal symptoms were assessed: negative mood, cognitive symptoms, sleep disorder, vasomotor symptoms (VMS), urogenital symptoms, autonomic nervous disorder, limb pain/paresthesia. Social and environmental factors were collected; simple and unconditional logistic regression with adjustments by all analyzed factors were used to assess associations. RESULTS: Urogenital symptoms were the most common and VMS the least common complaints. All symptoms, except cognitive and urogenital symptoms, worsened age-dependently up to 60 years but improved beyond this age. Most symptoms also were associated with menopause, except negative mood and autonomic nervous disorders. Soya-rich diet decreased all symptoms, but only if consumed daily. Exercise was beneficial for some symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was most effective but only with regular use. Increased alcohol consumption aggravated VMS. Higher education was associated with less symptoms; no relationship was found for smoking, gravidity, parity, and menarche. CONCLUSION: All symptoms, except cognitive and urogenital symptoms, worsened age-dependently up to 60 years but improved beyond this age; most were also associated with menopause. For the first time in a large study population, it was observed that soy-rich diet is protective but only with daily consumption. Exercising can protect against some of the symptoms. HRT decreased all symptoms, but regular use is necessary. Women with higher education reported less symptoms, but after adjustments no other relationships were observed (ChiCTR2000035047).

The influence of educational level in peri-menopause syndrome and quality of life among Chinese women.

Objective: To investigate the influence of education level in the peri-menopausal symptoms and quality of life (QoL) among Chinese women.Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study of 1632 peri-menopausal women (age 40-60 y) who visited Hangzhou Women's Hospital from November 2018 to November 2019. The menopausal symptoms were evaluated by modified Kupperman index (KI). World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was used to evaluate the QoL.Result: In total, 1501 women were included in the analysis. The mean age of natural menopause was 49.63 years in China. The five most frequent symptoms in menopausal women were Hot flash (75.53%), sexual problems (72.62%), insomnia (67.29%), fatigue (65.56%), and irritability (61.89%). Natural menopausal age, parity, BMI, bone mineral density, depression, skin formication, total score of KI, and the score of WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire were different in different educational background women (p < .05).Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that education level is associated with the age of natural menopause and menopausal symptoms. A high educational level is correlated with a better score of WHOQOL-BREF in peri-menopause women.

Factors associated with quality of life of postmenopausal women living in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) after menopause could be influenced by a host of personal and social factors. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with quality of life among postmenopausal women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 405 postmenopausal women selected using a multi-stage randomized sampling. The data-collection tools were the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and a researcher-designed questionnaire. The relationship between QoL and its potentially correlated factors was examined using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: A negative correlation was found between the scores of QoL (total and all subscales) and the MRS total scores. The total scores of QoL were negatively correlated with duration of menopause (r = - 0.127, P = 0.010), gravida (r = - 0.177, P < 0.001), parity (r = - 0.165, P = 0.001), frequency of stillbirth (r = - 0.104, P = 0.037), vaginal delivery (r = - 0.161, P = 0.001), and waist-to-hip ratio (r = - 0.195, P < 0.001). The QoL total scores were positively correlated with the educational level of the participants (r = 0.207, P < 0.001) and that of their spouses (r = 0.160, P = 0.001) along with their level of monthly family income (r = 0.218, P < 0.001). Multiple-linear-regression analysis showed that the total score of QoL decreased with inadequate income, waist-to-hip ratio, and the total score of MRS. CONCLUSIONS: Personal and social factors along with the severity of menopausal symptoms affect QoL post-menopause. These factors need to have a bearing on any effort to improve QoL among postmenopausal women.

Assessment of Prediagnostic Experiences of Black Women With Endometrial Cancer in the United States.

Importance: Black women with endometrial cancer have a 90% higher mortality rate than white women with endometrial cancer. The advanced disease stage at which black women receive a diagnosis of endometrial cancer is a major factor in this disparity and is not explained by differences in health care access. Objective: To describe the prediagnostic experiences of symptoms and symptom disclosure among black women with endometrial cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: This community-engaged qualitative study developed an interview guide to collect data during semistructured interviews among a sample of 15 black women with endometrial cancer in the United States. Interviews were conducted in person or via a secure conferencing platform. An exploratory and descriptive content analysis was performed using iterative rounds of inductive coding, case summaries, and coanalysis with community input to identify emergent themes. Data were collected from October 3, 2017, to April 15, 2019, and the descriptive content analysis was performed from October 11, 2017, to May 6, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures: Beliefs, interpretations, and experiences of black women with endometrial cancer from symptom onset to diagnostic confirmation of cancer. Results: Participants included 15 women who self-identified as black or African American and ranged in age from 31 to 72 years. Eight participants lived in the Puget Sound region of Washington, 2 participants lived in California, and 1 participant each lived in Alabama, Michigan, Louisiana, Georgia, and New York. Twelve participants were receiving adjuvant therapy during the study, which indicated that they were either in a high-risk group and/or had advanced-stage disease. Thirteen participants had health insurance at the time of symptom onset, and all participants had elected to receive cancer treatment. Participants described knowledge gaps and silence about menopause, misinterpretation of vaginal bleeding, and responses by first-line health care practitioners that were not aligned with the risk of endometrial cancer among black women in the United States. Conclusions and Relevance: The responses of interviewed black women with endometrial cancer suggest that several mechanisms may be associated with a delay in care before diagnosis among this high-risk population and represent modifiable factors that may be useful in the development of targeted interventions to improve the rates of early diagnosis among black women with endometrial cancer.

The impact of perimenopausal symptomatology, sociodemographic status and knowledge of menopause on women's quality of life.

BACKGROUND: A high percentage of menopausal and perimenopausal women suffer symptoms that deteriorate their quality of life (QoL) significantly. Many studies have focused on the relationship between perimenopausal symptoms and QoL, yet the results obtained have been inconclusive. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationships among the symptoms of menopause, sociodemographic variables, knowledge of menopause and QoL. METHOD: Sociodemographic and clinical data was collected from interviews of 453 women in Madrid, and they also completed questionnaires related to perimenopausal symptomatology (MRS, MENQOL), knowledge of menopause and QoL. RESULTS: Although dependent on the assessment techniques, all the tools used indicated that more than half of the women studied suffered perimenopausal symptomatology: interview (59.1%), MENQOL (69.2%) and MRS (65.1%). Stronger symptoms were related to a worse QoL (R2 = 0.287 for MENQOL; R2 = 0.390 for MRS), being psychosocial/psychological and urogenital/sexual symptomatology, and educational level and knowledge about menopause the most strongly related to this parameter. Taking into account the main perimenopausal symptoms in Europe, psychosocial and sexual symptoms are also found to be strongly related to QoL. CONCLUSION: Perimenopausal symptomatology is frequent and intense, deteriorating women's QoL. While psychosocial and somatic/physical symptoms are the most frequent and intense, psychosocial/psychological and urogenital/sexual are those that best predict the individual's QoL. Educational level and knowledge about menopause are also related to a better QoL.

Mediating effect of a health-promoting lifestyle in the relationship between menopausal symptoms, resilience, and depression in middle-aged women.

We explored the mediating effect of a health-promoting lifestyle in the relationship between menopausal symptoms, resilience, and depression in middle-aged women. The participants in this study were 176 Korean middle-aged women. Mediation analysis was performed according to the Baron and Kenny method and using the Sobel test. There were significant correlations between the menopausal symptoms, resilience, and depression. The health-promoting lifestyle had a direct mediating effect in the relationship between menopausal symptoms and depression. In this study, the menopausal symptoms of middle-aged women had a significant influence on their resilience and depression via their health-promoting lifestyle.

Symptomatology and quality of life between two populations of climacteric women.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare climacteric symptomatology and sociodemographic conditions and their effect on quality of life in two populations: Monterrey (Mexico) and Madrid (Spain). METHODS: 469 women from Monterrey (mean age 50.5 + 4.3 years) and 452 (mean age 51.7 + 3.7 years) from Madrid participated in the study. Descriptive analyses of sociodemographic and clinics characteristics of the sample were performed. A cross-sectional design and a regression analysis were performed to establish the sociodemographic and clinical variables that would be used as predictors of quality of life. Data was collected using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life, MENQOL, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Quality of Life Scale for Women Aged From 45 to 64 (QLS), and a sociodemographic and clinical interview designed ad hoc. RESULTS: Approximately 60% of both Spanish and Mexican women present symptoms during climacteric that impairs their quality of life. Spanish women suffer more intense symptoms and for a longer period of time than Mexican women, with the exception of anxiety. Mexican women report better quality of life than Spanish women and it is moderated by educational, socioeconomical, and marital status. Women's knowledge about menopause is also related to a better quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms the differences in climacteric symptomatology between populations and the impact of educational level and knowledge about menopause as predictors of a better quality of life in climacteric women.

Quality of life in the climacteric of nurses working in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the quality of life of primary care nurses in the climacteric. METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study, performed with 98 female nurses, aged 40-65 years, using the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire. RESULTS: the worst level of quality of life was observed for professionals aged 50-59 years, non-white, specialists, divorced or widowed, with children, a lower income, with another employment relationship, a weekly workload of more than 40 hours, who consumed alcoholic beverages weekly, with chronic disease, in continuous use of medications, sedentary, who did not menstruate and did not receive hormonal treatment, and who went through menopause between the ages of 43-47 years. CONCLUSION: Although the variables "physical activity" and "age" have a statistically significant association with quality of life, other variables seem to interfere in these professionals' lives, indicating the need for a more critical and deep reflection on these relations.

A critical appraisal of vasomotor symptom assessment tools used in clinical trials evaluating hormone therapy compared to placebo.

OBJECTIVE: Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) have been consistently reported as the leading predictor of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among menopausal women, and the strongest indication for treatment. The North American Menopause Society endorses the use of oral estrogen for the treatment of VMS based on a Cochrane meta-analysis. The Cochrane review concludes that oral hormone therapy reduces the frequency and severity of VMS. The objective of this review is to critically appraise the outcome measures used in these clinical trials to evaluate whether there is adequate evidence that oral hormone therapy improves HRQOL. METHODS: Each trial in the 2004 Cochrane review of oral hormone therapy for the management of VMS was evaluated with respect to study design, outcome measures, and method of analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials were appraised. Six trials were excluded from the Cochrane meta-analysis due to inadequate reporting of outcome measures. Of the remaining trials, 15 trials assessed only symptom frequency and/or severity. One trial used a subscale of the General Health Questionnaire. Two trials used the Greene Climacteric Scale, a validated outcome measure in menopausal women, to directly assess the impact of hormone therapy on HRQOL. Both studies showed an improvement in HRQOL in the hormone-treated group, although the sample size was small (n = 118) and the effect was modest. CONCLUSION: Although oral hormone therapy improves VMS scores, there is a paucity of evidence on whether it improves HRQOL in menopausal women. Future studies using validated, patient-reported outcome measures that directly assess HRQOL are needed.

Menopause and the NHS: caring for and retaining the older workforce.

Menopause is a natural transition affecting most women between the ages of 45 and 55. Three-quarters of women will experience mild to moderate menopausal symptoms and a further quarter will report them as severe. Symptoms can include night sweats, hot flushes, poor concentration, tiredness, poor memory and lowered confidence. The workplace can exacerbate these symptoms and for some women can influence their decision to stop working earlier than previously intended. The need for support and understanding from managers is crucial and can make a major difference to how a woman deals with her menopause. Many women enter the menopause at the peak of their productive lives. These women have valuable skills, knowledge and experience that employers need to retain, so they should be developing resources to help navigate this normal and natural stage of the ageing process.

Quality of life in the climacteric of nurses working in primary care / Calidad de vida en el climaterio de enfermeras que actúan en la atención primaria / Qualidade de vida no climatério de enfermeiras atuantes na atenção primária

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the quality of life of primary care nurses in the climacteric. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study, performed with 98 female nurses, aged 40-65 years, using the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire. Results: the worst level of quality of life was observed for professionals aged 50-59 years, non-white, specialists, divorced or widowed, with children, a lower income, with another employment relationship, a weekly workload of more than 40 hours, who consumed alcoholic beverages weekly, with chronic disease, in continuous use of medications, sedentary, who did not menstruate and did not receive hormonal treatment, and who went through menopause between the ages of 43-47 years. Conclusion: Although the variables "physical activity" and "age" have a statistically significant association with quality of life, other variables seem to interfere in these professionals' lives, indicating the need for a more critical and deep reflection on these relations.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar la calidad de vida de enfermeras en el climaterio que actúan en la atención primaria. Método: estudio descriptivo y de análisis, de cohorte transversal, realizado con 98 enfermeras, de entre 40 y 65 años de edad, en que se utilizó el cuestionario WHOQOL-Bref. Resultados: presentaron un peor nivel de calidad de vida las profesionales: de entre 50 y 59 años de edad, no blancas, con especialización, divorciadas o viudas, con hijos, con menor renta familiar, que tenían otro vínculo de empleo, con carga laboral semanal superior a 40 horas, que consumían alcohol semanalmente, portadoras de enfermedad crónica, en el uso continuo de medicamentos, sedentarias, que no menstruaban y no estaban bajo tratamiento hormonal, y cuya menopausia empezó entre 43 y 47 años de edad. Conclusión: a pesar de la variable "realización de actividad física" y de la variable "edad" haber presentado una asociación estadísticamente significativa con la calidad de vida, otras variables parecen afectar la calidad de vida de esas profesionales, lo que demanda una reflexión crítica y más profundizada sobre esas relaciones.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a qualidade de vida de enfermeiras no climatério atuantes na atenção primária. Método: estudo descritivo-analítico, de corte transversal, realizado com 98 enfermeiras, com idade entre 40 e 65 anos, utilizando-se o questionário WHOQOL-Bref. Resultados: apresentaram pior nível de qualidade de vida as profissionais com idade entre 50 e 59 anos, não brancas, especialistas, divorciadas ou viúvas, com filhos, com menor renda, possuidoras de outro vínculo empregatício, carga horária de trabalho semanal acima de 40 horas, que ingeriam bebida alcoólica semanalmente, portadoras de doença crônica, em uso contínuo de medicamentos, sedentárias, que não menstruavam e não faziam tratamento hormonal, e que apresentaram a menopausa entre 43 e 47 anos. Conclusão: apesar das variáveis "realização de atividade física" e "idade" terem uma associação estatisticamente significante com a qualidade de vida, outras variáveis parecem interferir na dessas profissionais, indicando a necessidade de uma reflexão crítica e mais aprofundada sobre essas relações.

Vasomotor Symptoms Across the Menopause Transition: Differences Among Women.

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are the primary menopausal symptoms, occurring in up 80% of women and peaking around the final menstrual period. The average duration is 10 years, longer in women with an earlier onset. Compared with non-Hispanic white women, black and Hispanic women are more likely and Asian women are less likely to report VMS. Risk factors include greater body composition (in the early stage of menopausal transition), smoking, anxiety, depression, sensitivity to symptoms, premenstrual syndrome, lower education, and medical treatments, such as hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and breast cancer-related therapies. VMS patterns over time and within higher-risk subgroups are heterogeneous across women.

Cross cultural adaptation and analysis of psychometric properties of Sinhala version of Menopause Rating Scale.

BACKGROUND: Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) evaluates eleven menopausal symptoms and health related quality of life (HRQOL) of postmenopausal women under three subscales. In this study we attempted cross cultural adaptation and evaluation of psychometric properties of a Sinhala translation of MRS. METHODS: Sinhala version of MRS was adapted following standard methodology; forward and backward translations, review by an expert group, focus group discussion (FGD) and pre-testing. It was self-administered among randomly selected healthy, Sinhalese, community-dwelling 166 postmenopausal women (aged; median = 56.5, IQR, 53.0-59.0 years) along with the Short Form 36 (SF-36) survey questionnaire. MRS was re-administered among a subsample (n = 80) after two weeks of first administration. Psychometric properties; reliability and validity were evaluated. RESULTS: In Sinhala version of MRS, both internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.79) and test retest reliability (intra class correlation / ICC = 0.86, 95%CI = 0.82-0.91, p < 0.001 and Pearson correlation / r = 0.93) were high. Factor analysis (FA) with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) extracted three factors explaining 59.82% cumulative variance with few exceptions from the original version. In the item-subscale correlation analysis items showed stronger correlations within their own subscale score (r range between 0.56-0.84) than with other subscales scores and subscales' scores showed strong correlations with the overall MRS score (r range between 0.70-0.86) indicating strong convergent validity. Mean (SD) symptom severities of each item were significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic women (p < 0.05) emphasizing good discriminant validity. The overall MRS and SF-36 scores correlated significantly (Pearson correlation: - 0.52, p < 0.01 and Kendall's tau-b: - 0.39, p < 0.01) ensuring strong criterion validity. CONCLUSIONS: The Sinhala version of MRS we adapted is an informative tool with high reliability and validity and this tool can be used to evaluate the menopausal symptoms and HRQOL in postmenopausal women conversant in Sinhala.