Abstract

QUINTANA RAMIREZ, Mileydi  and  VAZQUEZ LAZO, Carmen. Biopsychosocial aspects characterizing females with climacteric syndrome . Rev Cubana Enfermer [online]. 2008, vol.24, n.1. ISSN 0864-0319.

OBJECTIVE: to go deep into the biopsychosocial factors influencing on the stage of menopause of a group of females that took part in an epidemiological survey, where the variables of interest were studied. Menopause is a physiological state or one more evolutive period in females. It is really a stage of chronic deficiency that may last more than 20 years. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective and longitudinal study on the stages of climacteric and menopause was conducted in a group of 289 females belonging to the population of 10 family physicians' offices in the health area of "Flores Betancourt" polyclinic, with a sample of 165 females categorized as climacteric from June 2006 to June 2007. RESULTS: Most of the surveyed had a middle level knowledge on this topic. They obtained the information on this theme from their groups of friends. Their symptoms were heat waves, hot flashes and drowning sensation. As regards family issues, the infidelity of the couple prevailed. CONCLUSIONS: the psychological alterations do not imply a deterioration of mental health, but they give rise to a great number of discomforts, which are sometimes of such magnitude that may lower the self-esteem of several females. That's why, it is very important the preventive work directed mainly to the limitation and, if possible, to the elimination of physical and psychophysiological stressing agents. The detection of these agents causing stress by the family physician should have a systemic approach, knowing the individuals and the environment where they live.

Keywords : Menopause; climacteric; biopsychosocial factors.