Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: effects on related factors, quality of life, and self-care power

Introduction
This study aimed to determine the effects of genitourinary syndrome of menopause on related factors, quality of life, and self-care power.

Material and methods
This case-control epidemiological study included 300 postmenopausal women aged 48-60 years who were divided into two groups: the case group (141) with genitourinary syndrome and the control group (159) without genitourinary syndrome. Data were evaluated by chi-square and t-tests in independent groups and logistic regression analysis.

Results
The incidence of genitourinary syndrome of menopause was 0.61 times higher in women with a lower educational level than in those with a high educational level, 0.44 times higher in those with chronic disease than in those without, 2.54 times higher in those who continuously used medication than in those who did not, and 2.45 times higher in those with urinary incontinence than in those without. The mean Self-Care Power Scale score was significantly higher in the control group (101.52 ±21.50) than in the case group (83.96 ±25.64). The mean Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Scale score was significantly higher in the case group (65.52 ±33.47) than in the control group (37.06 ±25.81).

Conclusions
Low educational level, chronic disease, urinary incontinence, and continuous drug use are associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause, which negatively affects the quality of life and self-care power in women.