Body image in perimenopausal women

Katarzyna Szymona-Pałkowska; Jolanta Adamczuk; Marta Sapalska; Oleg Gorbaniuk; Jacek M. Robak; Janusz J. Kraczkowski

doi:10.5114/pm.2019.93119

eISSN: 2299-0038
ISSN: 1643-8876

Menopause Review/Przegląd Menopauzalny

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4/2019
vol. 18

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abstract:

Original paper

Body image in perimenopausal women

Katarzyna Szymona-Pałkowska

¹

,

Jolanta Adamczuk

²

,

Marta Sapalska

³

,

Oleg Gorbaniuk

⁴

,

Jacek M. Robak

⁵

,

Janusz J. Kraczkowski

⁵

Department of Clinical Psychology, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland
SP ZOZ Nałęczów Clinic, Nałęczów, Poland
Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), Lublin, Poland
Department of Psychological Research Methodology, Institute of Psychology, University of Zielona Góra, Poland
Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Pathology of Pregnancy, Medical University of Lublin, Poland

Menopause Rev 2019; 18(4): 210-216

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/pm.2019.93119

Online publish date: 2020/01/15

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Introduction
Menopause is the last natural menstruation, followed by a period of 12 months during which no bleeding occurs (WHO). This natural process results from the phasing out of the physiological activity of the ovaries and involves numerous psychological and somatic disturbances. Although perimenopausal ailments are experienced by most women, the correlation between their perception of the bodies and biopsychosocial functioning in the climacteric period is not fully understood. The aim of the study was to determine whether women’s body image varies depending on the period of their reproductive life.

Material and methods
113 women aged 25-60 were examined (both menopausal and postmenopausal) with the control group comprising 58 women. The following scales were used: the Appearance-Related Picture Self-Appraisal Form and the Appearance Self-Appraisal Scale.

Results
The study demonstrated statistically significant differences between the groups on 7 scales and the overall score. It can be said that postmenopausal women, whose ovarian activity has nearly ceased, in comparison with those in the premenopausal and menopausal groups attribute lower importance to the following areas of the body: eyes, nose, mouth, stomach, buttocks, thighs, and calves. The mean values of satisfaction in the three groups under comparison were not statistically different.

Conclusions
The subjects of the postmenopausal group attribute lower importance to different body areas, deriving greater satisfaction from their own bodies.

keywords:

Body image in perimenopausal women

Katarzyna Szymona-Pałkowska 1 , Jolanta Adamczuk 2 , Marta Sapalska 3 , Oleg Gorbaniuk 4 , Jacek M. Robak 5 , Janusz J. Kraczkowski 5

menopause, postmenopause, self-esteem, body image

Katarzyna Szymona-Pałkowska

¹

,

Jolanta Adamczuk

²

,

Marta Sapalska

³

,

Oleg Gorbaniuk

⁴

,

Jacek M. Robak

⁵

,

Janusz J. Kraczkowski

⁵