Relationship of believing in sexual myths with the menopause attitudes and symptoms in postmenopausal women

Each woman's menopause symptoms and attitudes regarding these symptoms are affected by various factors. This study aims to examine the relationship of believing in the sexual myths with menopause attitudes and symptoms in postmenopausal women. The population of this descriptive and analytical study included 4361 women who were between 40 and 64 years and living in Çaycuma county of Zonguldak province. The study sample included 424 women complying with the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a self-report method and a questionnaire form including personal information form, Sexual Myths Scale (SMS), Menopause Attitude Assessment Scale (MAAS) and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). The dependent variable was SMS and independent variables were MAAS and MRS in this study. Study data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearmen's correlation analysis. Findings were interpreted through the significance level of p<0,05. The mean age of the participant postmenopausal women was 57.12±5.60, their mean age when they menstruated for the last time was 46.54±5.35 and the mean duration of their menopause was 10.58±7.02 years. Of the women, 84.0% naturally went through menopause. Total mean SMS score, MAAS score and MRS score of the women were 92.28±17.80, 27.86±8.06 and 17.11±9.43 respectively. No relationship was found between total SMS and MAAS scores (r=-0,067, p=0,168). A positive, significant and weak relationship was found between total SMS and MRS scores (r=0,125, p=0.01). This study indicated that women's level of believing in sexual myths was higher than the moderate level. The situation of their believing in sexual myths did not affect the menopause attitudes however it affected symptoms and severity of the menopause. This situation indicated that wrong information and beliefs should be fixed to reduce the post menopause symptoms and severity experienced by women. Women should be provided with true information whenever possible in every age for the improvement of their sexual and reproductive health.