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Abstract

Background

Husbands, being the primary and closest individuals to menopausal women, can provide crucial support during this transitional phase by gaining a proper understanding of menopause and its associated conditions.

Aims

This study aimed to examine the effects of couple counseling on the severity of vasomotor symptoms and the quality of life in postmenopausal women.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 70 postmenopausal women and their husbands in health centers of Qorveh City in 2011. Couples were randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups of 35 people. Inclusion criteria included the spouse's being alive, hot flashes, first five years of menopause, no use of hormonal drugs and herbal remedies to reduce menopausal symptoms, physical and mental health, no adverse life events in the past six months, literacy, and consent to participate in the study. Data collection tools included a demographic profile form, a 24-hour checklist of hot flashes and sweating intensity, and a menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) questionnaire. The intervention group received four 90-minute couples counseling sessions for one month. Data were collected before and after the intervention and analyzed using SPSS-23.

Results

The results showed that before the intervention, the intensity, duration, and frequency of hot flashes in the study group were significantly higher than in the control group ( < 0.05). After the intervention, a significant decrease in the intensity and frequency of sweating was observed in the study group compared to the control group ( = 0.01). There was no difference between the quality-of-life scores in the two groups before and after the intervention.

Conclusion

Couples counseling is recommended as a strategy in care and support programs for menopausal women, as it has been shown to reduce the severity of vasomotor symptoms. To improve quality of life, it is essential to consider not only the physical condition but also the psychological, social, economic, and environmental well-being of couples.

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2025-05-21
2025-09-11

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The Effect of Couples Counseling on the Quality of Life of Menopausal Women
Bentham Science Publishers ; https://doi.org/10.2174/0126660822332568250516075241
/content/journals/cprr/10.2174/0126660822332568250516075241
/content/journals/cprr/10.2174/0126660822332568250516075241
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keywords: menopause, women, hot flashes, husbands ; couple ; quality of life ; vasomotor ; Counseling

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