Publication:

Determinants impacting the quality of life in postmenopausal women: an in-depth narrative review

The menopausal transition represents a pivotal phase in women's lives, marked by intricate physical, psychological, and social changes that collectively shape their quality of life (QoL). Postmenopausal women, characterized by the cessation of menstrual cycles and declining ovarian hormone production, experience a convergence of multifaceted influences during this critical period. This review aims to comprehensively explore and describe the factors impacting the QoL of postmenopausal women, offering valuable insights for healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and researchers seeking to enhance well-being in this life stage. In this descriptive review, the existing literature on postmenopausal women's QoL determinants is examined to provide a detailed understanding of the various contributing factors. The complex interplay of hormonal shifts, psychosocial dynamics, socioeconomic conditions, health status, and lifestyle choices intricately shapes the postmenopausal experience. These factors, whether independently or interactively, play a crucial role in defining the trajectory of postmenopausal QoL. A thorough exploration of available studies from various databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO was conducted. Relevant articles were identified through a combination of keyword searches and manual screening, focusing on studies that discuss the determinants of QoL in postmenopausal women. From a substantial initial pool, six key articles were selected based on their relevance and contribution to understanding the topic. Through this descriptive review, several key factors were identified as influential in shaping postmenopausal QoL. Hormonal changes, education level, lifestyle choices, attitudes towards menopause, self-perceived efficacy, family dynamics, menopause-related symptoms, and socioeconomic indicators emerged as significant determinants. Particularly, vasomotor and sexual symptoms were found to have a substantial impact on well-being across various dimensions. The review also highlighted the importance of targeted interventions to address specific facets of QoL in postmenopausal women, offering potential pathways for enhancing overall well-being during this life stage.