IMPACT OF SELF-CARE GUIDELINES ON FUNCTIONING AND WELL-BEING OF POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH AGING VAGINAL SYMPTOMS

Abstract

Background: Vaginal aging is a thinning, drying inflammation of the vagina which happens due to the decrease of estrogen in the body. Most of the menopausal women experience vaginal aging symptom.

Aim of the study: To evaluate the impact of self-care guidelines on functioning and well-being of postmenopausal women with aging vaginal symptoms.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was used. This study was conducted at the Outpatient clinics in MitGhamr Hospital, Ministry of Health in Egypt. A purposive sampling of 50 menopausal women was used. Data were collected by using a structured interview questionnaire and Day to Day Impact of Vaginal Aging questionnaire (DIVA).

Results: Results showed that the vaginal symptoms had a high disparaging impact on studied postmenopausal women on their daily activities pre=71.6%, post=22.8%, the emotional being before intervention had 57.5%, but it declined (20.5) after the intervention. Further, there is a positive impact to sexual function of the postmenopausal women pre = (61.25), post = (21%), and self-concept pre = (50%), post = (14.8%). Moreover, the total impact of the day to day life domains were high among women of age group > 50 years, and who were the resident in rural areas with statistically significant difference p=0.0001.

Conclusion: The study findings suggest that the functioning and well-being of postmenopausal women with aging vaginal symptoms can be addressed utilizing a substitute treatment such employing the self-care guidelines.

Recommendations: Self-care concept should be empowered as an essential part of all levels and strategies of women health care. Further researches are needed regarding factors and barriers associated with the utilization of self-care practices through reproductive years for women as well as for management of various perimenopausal and gynecological problems.