Background: Menopause is normal transition associated with aging and loss of fertility.
Women during menopause experience biological, psychological, social and cultural changes.
Hormonal changes of menopause may induce numerous physical and psychological
symptoms. Aim of the study: To investigate menopausal symptoms and its relationship to
quality of life (QOL) among menopausal women attending two university hospitals in Upper
and Lower Egypt.). Setting: The study was conducted at gynecological outpatients clinics of
Qena University Hospital, South Valley University at Qena city (Upper Egypt province) and
Benha University Hospital, Benha University at Benha City (Lower Egypt province)
Subjects: The study included 500 women had stopped menstrual cycle since 12 months.
Tools: The data were collected by using (MRS) Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) and (QOL)
the World Health Organization quality of life brief questionnaire. Results: Lower Egypt
women got menopause significantly earlier with significantly longer duration of menopause..
Among LE women, mean total MRS score was significantly higher and mean total QOL score
was significantly lower compared to UE women. Total MRS and QOL scores in and in LE
women showed a negative significant correlation, while in UE women the relation was
negative non-significant. QOL evaluation showed a significantly higher number of women
among good and very good scores in UE compared to LE group. Majority of women indicated
moderate effect of menopause on their physical health with significantly higher frequency of
UE women among lower scores. About, 39.2% of LE women, while 20.4% in UE indicated
moderate effect of menopause on their psychological health with significantly higher
frequency of UE women among less effect score. Conclusion: Menopause adversely affected
QOL of women. This effect was more manifested in LE than in UE women.
Recommendation: Provision of professional services for post-menopausal women in Upper
Egypt is necessary.