Background: Menopause is a natural biological transition characterized by the permanent cessation of menstruation due to loss of ovarian function. Although primarily considered a physiological event, menopause is frequently associated with psychological disturbances such as anxiety and depression, which can significantly impair quality of life. Hormonal fluctuations, especially declining estrogen levels, along with socio-demographic and clinical factors, may increase vulnerability to mental health problems during this period.
Aim: To assess the mental health status of women with natural menopause and induced menopause following hysterectomy, and to correlate socio-demographic and clinical parameters with mental health impairment.
Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital over a period of one and a half years. A total of 200 women aged 45–60 years who had attained menopause either naturally or surgically were included. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics were expressed as frequencies and percentages, and analytical statistics were calculated using Chi-square test, Odds Ratio (OR), and 95% Confidence Interval (CI).
Results: Among the participants, 85% had natural menopause and 15% had induced menopause. Overall, 56% of women exhibited moderate to severe mental health impairment. Mild anxiety was reported in 69% of participants, while 21% had moderate anxiety and 10% had severe anxiety. Women with menopause at ≤45 years were 4.8 times more likely to experience moderate to severe mental health impairment (p=0.001). Induced menopause showed a strong association with psychological morbidity (OR 6.3; p=0.002). Women in the first five years of menopause were nearly three times more likely to have impaired mental health (p=0.005). Higher education, higher occupational status, and higher socio-economic class were also significantly associated with increased psychological impairment.
Conclusion: A substantial proportion of menopausal women experience anxiety and depression, particularly those with induced or early menopause and during the initial years of transition. Socio-demographic factors further influence mental health outcomes. Routine screening and integrated psychosocial care at the primary healthcare level are essential to improve the quality of life of menopausal women.
Key Words: Menopause; Natural menopause; Induced menopause; Mental health; Anxiety; Depression; HAM-A; HAM-D; Psychological morbidity; Socio-demographic factors; Postmenopausal women; Cross-sectional study.
How to cite this article: Amirtha C, Vetrivel VN, Sindhuja R, The Study Of Assessment Of The Mental Health In Menopausal Women. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(4s): 177-183; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.177-183