Methods for Assessing Climacteric Symptoms

Abstract

In this paper methods for the assessment of the symptoms and complaints presented by women during the climacteric are reviewed, both from an historical and contemporary stand point. A methodological critique is presented of historical approaches, which tended to be ad hoc and not based on recognised principles of behavioural and psychological measurement. Two alternatives are outlined. First, that of utilising established standardised scales which have been developed on populations other than climacteric women, but which may be appropriate to that group. Secondly, that of developing climacteric specific scales, in the context of which three such scales based on sound psychometric principles and on populations of climacteric women are described and evaluated