Calidad de vida en mujeres menopaúsicas del área de consulta externa de una institución de salud en Guayaquil.

Abstract

This thesis addresses the topic of quality of life in women going through menopause. Objective: To determine the quality of life in menopausal women in the outpatient clinic of Teodoro Maldonado Carbo Hospital. Materials and Method: Descriptive study, quantitative method, prospective; Population and sample: Of 216 patients diagnosed with menopausal symptoms between 40 and 59 years old, 180 are considered as a sample; Technique: Survey; Instrument: Menopause Rating Scale (MRS); Results: The predominant age group is 40 to 44 years old with 52.77%. The calculation shows that the average age of the women surveyed is 44 years. Likewise, the standard deviation shows that the most found ages are between 41 and 48 years. 60% had secondary education. 90.55% have a formal partner. Sixty percent of women attending the Hospital's outpatient clinic with menopausal symptoms live in the southern part of the city. Sixty percent of the patients surveyed had no known medical history. On the other hand, 40% of patients reported a history of hypertension or diabetes. Sixty percent of the sample experienced very severe hot flashes, one of the most influential somatic symptoms. Another important factor is that patients presented moderate to severe muscle discomfort. Although hot flashes were the most common symptom among all interviewed, it is worth highlighting the importance of muscle discomfort, which is directly related to affecting women's quality of life by preventing them from properly performing their work or household activities. The majority of patients surveyed presented somatic symptoms, and the combination of these symptoms affects quality of life depending on their intensity. These are considered the most common manifestations of menopause because they are directly related to the decrease of estrogen. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the clinical profile of menopausal women seen in the outpatient clinic at Teodoro Maldonado Carbo Hospital is characterized by symptoms with a high somatic and psychological impact, as well as significant impact on their sexual life.