PURPOSE

This study examined the relationship between menopause symptoms and the quality of life of women with gynecologic cancer.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer who were admitted to the Gynecologic Oncology Clinic of a training and research hospital in Turkey between December 1, 2020, and August 30, 2021. The study data were collected by using the Socio-Demographic Data Collection Form, the Menopause Symptoms Assessment Scale, and the Menopause Specific Quality of Life Scale. Data was analyzed with SPSS 26.0 package programme.

RESULTS

The mean age of the women in the study (n = 200) was 46.51 ± 4.89 years, and the mean age at menopause was 45.39 ± 4.86 years. Endometrial cancer was diagnosed in 64.0% of women. When the age at menopause was analyzed, 41.0% of the women entered menopause between the ages of 44-47 years, while 50.0% entered menopause surgically. The total score of participants was 35.85 ± 5.151 for Menopause Rating Scale; total score of participants was found to be 5.70 ± 0.803 for Menopause Specific Quality of Life Scale. There was a significant positive linear relationship between the total score of the Menopause Rating Scale and the subdimensions of the Menopause Specific Quality of Life Scale (p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A positive relationship was found between menopause symptoms experienced by women with gynecological cancer and menopause-specific quality of life. It is recommended that menopause symptoms of women with gynecological cancer should be evaluated comprehensively and holistic care strategies should be developed and implemented to improve menopause-specific quality of life.