Keywords
postmenopause
body evaluation
How to Cite
Abstract
Abstract: Body image is a multidimensional, subjective, and dynamically changing concept that includes personal perceptions and feelings towards one's body. Menopause is associated with significant changes in external appearance and physical functioning. Aim: The study aimed to determine how women of postmenopausal age assess their bodies and what factors influence this evaluation. Material and methods: The research was conducted in six randomly selected gynaecological and primary health care clinics in Lublin. A total of 510 women were included in the study. A diagnostic survey was used as the research method. The research tool was a questionnaire consisting of a self-constructed part (socio-demographic data) and a standardized Body Esteem Scale questionnaire (BES). Results: In all subscales (sexual attractiveness, body control, and physical fitness), average results were obtained, although the highest was about body weight control (M = 5.85±2.00) and the lowest was related to sexual attractiveness (M = 4.78±2.17). The values of all subscales were significantly differentiated by the subjective assessment of the participant's health status (p<0.05). The values of sexual attractiveness were significantly related to the place of residence (p = 0.021) and the employment status of the participants (p = 0.030). The values of self-assessment of physical fitness were significant with the place of residence (p = 0.012) and the marital status of the participants (p<0.001). Conclusion: Women in postmenopausal age perceive their bodies in all categories (sexual attractiveness, body weight control/body strength, physical fitness) at an average level, indicating the need for psychosocial support. Providing them with support with their self-acceptance, and perhaps lifestyle changes, may improve their self-esteem to their body image.
References
Afshari, P., Houshyar, Z., Javadifar, N., Poumotahari, F., Jorfi, M. (2016). The relationship between body image and sexual function in middle-aged women. Electronic Physician Journal, 8(11), 3302-3308. https://doi.org/10.19082/3302
Allahverdipour, H. (2018). Sexual motivations during the menopausal transition among Iranian women: a qualitative inquiry. BMC Womens Health, 18(1), 1-10.
Avis, N.E., Colvin, A., Karlamangla, A.S., Crawford, S., Hess, R., Waetjen, L.E., Brooks, M., Tepper, P.G., Greendale, G.A. (2017): Change in sexual functioning over the menopausal transition: results from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. Menopause, 24(4), 379-390. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000000770
Briggs, P. (2022). Consensus statement – Urogenital atrophy. Post Reproductive Health, 28(1), 47-50. https://doi.org/10.1177/20533691211065808
Dąbrowska-Galas, M., Dąbrowska, J. (2021). Physical activity level and self-esteem in middle-aged women. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(14), 7293. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147293
De Morais, M.S.M., do Nascimento, R.A., Vieira, M.C.A., Moreira, M.A., da Câmara, S.M.A., Maciel, Á.C.C., das Graças Almeida, M. (2017). Does body image perception relate to quality of life in middle-aged women? PloS One, 12(9). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0184031
Fenton, A. (2021). Weight, shape, and body composition changes at menopause. Journal of Mid-life Health, 12(3), 187-192. https://doi.org/10.4103/jmh.jmh_123_21
Fernández-Alonso, A.M.; Cuerva, M.J.; Chedraui, P.; Pérez-López, F.R. (2019). Screening and management of female sexual dysfunction during the second half of life. in postmenopausal diseases and disorders. (In:) Pérez-López, F. (ed.), Postmenopausal diseases and disorders, 165-185, Springer: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany.
Greendale, G.A., Sternfeld, B., Huang, M., Han, W., Karvonen-Gutierrez, C., Ruppert, K., Cauley, J.A., Finkelstein, J.S., Jiang, S.F., Karlamangla, A.S. (2019). Changes in body composition and weight during the menopause transition. JCI Insight, 4(5), e124865. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.124865
Gümüşsoy, S., Öztürk, R., Keskin, G., Özlem, Yıldırım. G. (2023). Effects of Surgical and Natural Menopause on Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Dyadic Adjustment: A Descriptive and Comparative Study. Clinical Nursing Research, 32(4), 712-722. https://doi.org/10.1177/10547738221114588
Heidari, M., Ghodusi, M., Rafiei, H. (2017). Sexual Self-concept and Its Relationship to Depression, Stress and Anxiety in Postmenopausal Women. Journal of Menopausal Medicine, 23(1), 42-48. https://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.2017.23.1.42
Hockey, A., Milojev, P., Sibley, C.G., Donovan, C.L., & Barlow, F.K. (2021). Body image across the adult lifespan: A longitudinal investigation of developmental and cohort effects. Body Image, 39, 114-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.06.007.
Horvath Z., Smith B.H., Sal D., Hevesi, Rowland D.L. (2020). Body image, orgasmic response, and sexual relationship satisfaction: understanding relationships and establishing typologies based on body image satisfaction, Sexual Medicine, 8(4), 740-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2020.06.008
Javadivala, Z., Merghati‑Khoei, E., Underwood, C., Mirghafourvand, M., Kling, J., Kwakkenbos, L., Diedrichs, P.C., Rumsey, N., Frisen, A., Brandao, M.P., Fitzgerald, A. (2019). Systematic review of body image measures. Body Image, 30, 170-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.06.006
Knight, M.G., Anekwe, C., Washington, K., Akam, E.Y., Wang, E., & Stanford, F.C. (2021). Weight regulation in menopause. Menopause, 28(8), 960-965. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000001792
Kodoth, V., Scaccia, S., & Aggarwal, B. (2022). Adverse changes in body composition during the menopausal transition and relation to cardiovascular risk: a contemporary review. Women’s Health Reports, 3(1), 573-581. https://doi.org/10.1089/whr.2021.0119
Kremska, A. (2020). Potrzeby i reakcje seksualne kobiet w wieku okołomenopauzalnym. Journal of Sexual and Mental Health, 18. https://doi.org/10.5603/SP.2020.0001
Kremska, A., Raba, G., & Kraśnianin, E. (2020). Sexual behaviour of women in early and middle adulthood. Medical Science Pulse, 14(3), 31-40. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0014.4212
Lipowska, M., Lipowski, M. (2013) Polish normalization of the Body Esteem Scale. Health Psychology Report, 1, 72-81. https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr.2013.40471
Mirucka B. (2014). Transkulturowe aspekty cielesności mężczyzn. Analiza ja cielesnego Polaków i Duńczyków trenujących sztuki walki. Teraźniejszość – Człowiek – Edukacja, 65(1), 59-71.
Monteleone, P, Mascagni, G, Giannini, A, Genazzan, AR, Simoncini, T. (2018). Symptoms of menopause – global prevalence, physiology and implications. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 14(4), 199-215. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2017.180
Nazarpour, S., Simbar, M., Majd, H.A., Torkamani, Z.J., Andarvar, K.D., Rahnemaei, F. (2021). The relationship between postmenopausal women’s body image and the severity of menopausal symptoms. BMC Public Health, 21, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11643-6
Olchowska-Kotala, A. (2017). Body esteem and self-esteem in middle-aged women. Journal of Women & Aging, 30, 417-427. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952841.2017.1313012
O’Reilly, K., McDermid, F., McInnes, S., & Peters, K. (2024). “I was just a shell”: Mental health concerns for women in perimenopause and menopause. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 33(3), 693-702. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13271
Ringa, V., Diter, K., laborde, C., Bajos N. (2013) Women’s sexuality: from aging to social representations. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10(10): 2399-2408. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12267
Santoro, N., Roeca, C., Peters, B.A., & Neal-Perry, G. (2021). The menopause transition: signs, symptoms, and management options. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 106(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaa764
Stadnicka, G., Iwanowicz-Palus, G.J. (2017). Wpływ wizerunku własnego ciała na objawy okołomenopauzalne u kobiet. Gerontologia Polska, 25, 28-33.
Talaulikar, V. (2022). Menopause transition: Physiology and symptoms. Best practice & research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 81, 3-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2022.03.003
Terauchi, M., Hirose, A., Akiyoshi, M., Kato, K., Miyasaka, N. (2017). Feelings of unattractiveness in peri-and postmenopausal women are associated with depressed mood, poor memory and unsatisfactory sexual relationships. Climacteric, 20(3), 228-232. https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2017.1293647
Vidia, R.A., Ratrikaningtyas, P.D., Rachman, I.T. (2021). Factors affecting sexual life of menopausal women: scoping review. European Journal of Public Health Studies, 4(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejphs.v4i2.96
Vincent, C., Bodnaruc, A.M., Prud’homme, D., Olson, V., & Giroux, I. (2023). Associations between menopause and body image: A systematic review. Women’s Health, 19. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057231209536
Włodarczyk, M., Dolińska-Zygmunt, G. (2017). Rola Ja cielesnego (body self) i samooceny w doświadczaniu intensywności objawów menopauzy. Psychiatria Polska, 51(5), 909-921. https://doi.org/10.12740/PP/68136