Severity of Menopausal Symptoms and Associated Factors among Postmenopausal Women in Benue South, Nigeria: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Menopausal symptom severity varies across populations. Evidence among postmenopausal women in rural and semi-urban Nigeria remains limited. This study assessed the severity of menopausal symptoms and associated factors among postmenopausal women in Benue South, Nigeria. Methods: A community-based analytical cross-sectional study recruited 622 postmenopausal women aged ≥45 years from four LGAs in Benue South, Nigeria, using multistage sampling. Menopausal symptoms were assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and categorised as no, mild, moderate, or severe. For regression analysis, symptoms were dichotomised as non-severe (MRS <17) and severe (MRS ≥17). Data were collected using KoboToolbox and analysed with SPSS version 27. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with severe menopausal symptoms. Results: Among 622 participants, 44.4% were aged ≥60 years, 68.5% experienced menopause at 45–49 years, and 83.3% reported monthly income below ₦70,000. Awareness (7.1%) and treatment use (4.8%) were low, although 69.6% were willing to seek treatment. Moderate symptoms were most prevalent (62.1%). Age at menopause, religion, monthly income, and treatment use were independently associated with severe symptoms (p<0.05). Menopause at 45–49 years (aOR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.20–0.89), Christianity (aOR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.09–0.56), and income of ₦70,000–₦170,000 (aOR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.00–0.48) had lower odds, while treatment use had higher odds of severe symptoms (aOR=20.64, 95% CI: 3.86–110.48). Conclusion: Moderate menopausal symptoms were common among postmenopausal women in Benue South. The identified sociodemographic, reproductive and health-seeking factors highlight the need for context-specific approaches to menopausal health care.