Effects of Surgical and Natural Menopause on Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Dyadic Adjustment: A Descriptive and Comparative Study

This study aimed to assess body image, self-esteem, and dyadic adjustment in surgically menopausal, naturally menopausal, and perimenopausal women. This descriptive and comparative study was conducted in the clinics and polyclinic of a university hospital with a total of 274 women: 91 in the surgical menopause, 91 in the natural menopause, and 92 in the perimenopause groups. An Individual Introduction Form, the Body Cathexis Scale (BCS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) were used for data collection. The women in the surgical menopause group had significantly higher mean scores for RSES and BCS and lower mean scores for DAS than the women in the natural menopause and perimenopause groups, with the higher BCS and RSES scores indicating lower self-esteem and body satisfaction. A weak negative correlation was found among dyadic adjustment, self-esteem, and body image of women in the surgical menopause group. Results showed that body image, self-esteem, and dyadic adjustment in menopausal women were impaired. This impairment was greater in the surgical menopause group than in the natural menopause group. Additionally, the presence of comorbid chronic diseases, less education, and being overweight negatively affected dyadic adjustment in women. Clinicians’ awareness of the importance of the psychological aspects of menopause and the difference in the effects of menopause transition on mental well-being (body image, self-esteem, and marital harmony) according to the occurrence of menopause will enable them to help patients cope more easily with this process.