The menopausal transition and quality of life: Methodologic issues

The methodology in studies of the menopausal transition involves a consideration of social, statistical, and psychometric issues. Social issues are relevant on two levels. One is based upon principles of good practice in research on women and health that have been articulated at the international level. The other social level involves a consideration of the aims of the study and how these aims are implemented in the measures that are used, both for the symptoms of menopause and for the quality of life of the women involved in the research. We review the basic principles and issues related to sampling of population studies, physiological changes, and measurement of quality of life. Three recent measures of quality of life designed for studies of the menopause are then briefly reviewed.