ACONSELHAMENTO PARA A TERAPIA DE SUBSTITUIÇÃO HORMONAL E INTERVENÇÃO PSICOLÓGICA NOS SINTOMAS DA PERI- -MENOPAUSA

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Organizational Unit

Publications

Hot flushes and night sweats in midlife : Why do some women have them and others do not?

Publication . Pimenta, Filipa; Marôco, J. P.; Ramos, Catarina; Leal, I.

This study investigated what predicts the occurrence of hot fl ushes (HF) and night sweats (NS). A community sample of 992 women (42-60 years) answered a questionnaire to collect socio-demographic, health and menopause-related, as well as lifestyle information. Depressive mood and stress, as well as HF and NS (in terms of presence, frequency and intensity), were also assessed. Structural equation modelling was used to build a structural model to predict the occurrence of both vasomotor symptoms. Results: Stress predicted NS (β =.154; p =.006), whereas depressive mood was linked to the occurrence of HF’s (β =.149; p =.006). Being peri-menopausal and post-menopausal, among several other characteristics, were also signifi cant predictors of the occurrence of both HF and NS. This study supports a distinguished infl uence of stress and depressive mood in NS and HF respectively, probably due to the nature of psychological symptoms. Moreover, signifi cant associations between vasomotor symptoms and socio-demographic, health and menopause-related characteristics, and alcohol were confirmed.

2015Journal article

Open access

Predictors of stress and depressive mood in portuguese middle-aged women

Publication . Pimenta, Filipa; Marôco, J. P.; Leitão, Mafalda; Leal, I.

This cross-sectional study investigates the predictors of psychological symptoms-stress and depressive mood-in a sample of middle-aged women. A community sample of 1,003 women filled in the questionnaires and instruments, which included the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales and the Life Events Survey; sociodemographic, health, and menopause-related and lifestyle information was also collected. Structural equation modeling was used to build the model that had stress and depressive mood as dependent variables. Health status (both physical and psychological), recent life events, income and menopausal phase were significantly associated with the frequency of stress and depressive symptoms. Additionally, educational level and parity were also significant predictors of depressive mood. This study emphasizes that psychological symptoms occurrence in midlife depends not only on personal variables (such as health and menopausal status) but also on contextual ones (including recent stressful events) that can be a strong influence on how middle-aged women feel.

2016Journal article

Restricted access

Menopausal transition in southern europe: Comparative study of women in Serbia and Portugal

Publication . Dotlic, Jelena; Pimenta, Filipa; Kovacevic, Nikolina; Leal, I.; Marôco, J. P.; Utian, Wulf; Gazibara, Tatjana

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess and compare general menopausal quality of life in Serbia and Portugal. Methods: In all, 1,503 women aged between 40 and 65 years from Belgrade, Serbia, and Lisbon, Portugal, were included in the study. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) scale were used in data collection. Results: The average age of women was 50 (SD¼5.61) years. Serbian and Portuguese women differed in all sociodemographic characteristics except for body mass index (BMI) and relationship status. There were no significant differences in UQOL total score (P¼0.629) or UQOL sexual score (P¼0.396) between Serbian and Portuguese women. However, occupational (P<0.001) and health (P¼0.003) scores were significantly higher in the Serbian sample, whereas Portuguese women had higher emotional scores (P<0.001). Based on the total study sample, women with an average UQOL score were more highly educated, employed, non-smokers, and physically active, and more likely to obtain medical assistance for climacteric symptoms compared with women who reported lower UQOL score. In addition to these characteristics, women with a higher UQOL score had higher annual income, no recent illnesses, and optimal BMI compared with women who reported a lower UQOL score. Conclusions: This study showed that diverse populations of midlife women can have similar perceptions of quality of life as it encompasses broad dimensions of menopausal somatic and psychosocial symptoms, as well as habits and lifestyle. Further comparative studies using the UQOL scale are warranted to offer more information on the delicate factors influencing well-being in climacteric women worldwide.

2017Journal article

Restricted access

Predictors of weight variation and weight gain in peri- and post-menopausal women

Publication . Pimenta, Filipa; Marôco, J. P.; Ramos, Catarina; Leal, I.

This research encompasses a community sample of 497 women in peri- and post-menopause and uses structural equation modelling to investigate the structural models of weight variation and weight gain. Variables such as body shape concerns, depression, stress and life events are explored. Weight gain (from pre-menopause to current menopausal status) was observed in 69 per cent of participants. The predictors of weight gain were lower education level (β = −.146, p = .017), less or no physical exercise (β = −.111, p = .021), having a recent psychological problem (β = .191, p < .001), transition from peri- to post-menopause (β = .147, p = .013) and more frequent body shape concerns (β = .313, p < .001). Prevention of weight gain in premenopause is recommended; risk groups should be targeted considering the predictors of weight increase.

2014Journal article

Restricted access