MENOPAVZA V SLOVENIJI: ZNAČILNOSTI ŽENSK IN POJAVNOST PERIMENOPAVZNIH SIMPTOMOV

Background. We designed the study to determine the frequency of perimenopausal symtoms among women in Slovenia and the need for their treatement. Methods. In the research 578 women aged 45–54 years were included during their visit at one of 24 participating outpatient department clinics for women’s health in Slovenia. The women were interwieved by one of 31 gynecologists participating in the study. Results. The mean age of women was 49.6 years. Almost a half (48%) have still had regular periods, 29% were postmenopausal. The median age at menopause was 52.4 years. The major perimenopausal features were nervouseness (72%), anxiety (64%), sweating (63%), insomnia (60%) and headache (56%), less frequent were stomach pressure (35%), skin changes (32%) and dispareunia (24%). One-fifth (21%) of women were smokers (smokers had lower age at menopause as non-smokers, p = 0.01). One third (39%) currently took analgetics, 19% antihypertensives, 16% tranquillisers and 22% hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). The majority (81%) of women on HRT have found the HRT effects positive or very positive. Conclusions. The high rate of perimenopausal features among perimenopausal women in Slovenia deserves special attention. The study has also shown that the use of HRT is justified when indicated.