Gynecologic problems among elderly women in comparison with women aged between 45-64 years

Background: As women age, they face a variety of co-morbid medical problems as well as gynecologic problems that may differ from those of younger women. Clinicians should know how to screen and manage those problems among elderly women.

Objective: With this background, the study was designed to assess the gynecologic problems on admission among elderly women and women aged between 45-64 years.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of symptom distribution of 200 women aged over 65 years and 200 women aged between 45-64 years from January 1999 to December 2003 was performed in an university clinic.

Participants: Geriatric women and women aged between 45-64 years with gynecologic complaints on admission to outpatient clinics between January 1999 and December 2003. Analyses of demographic data and data related to symptom distribution, using appropriate parametric and non-paramertic statistical tests, were performed.

Results: Geriatric women had a higher number of pregnancies (p < 0.01) but lower percentage of hormone replacement therapy use (p < 0.1) compared to women aged 45-64 years. No significant difference was observed in terms of the age at menopause. Vaginal fullness was felt most commonly by elderly women (p < 0.01) in contrast to menopausal vasomotor symptoms which were relevant in the younger age group (p < 0.01). As a clinical diagnosis, pelvic relaxation with uterine prolapse and genital malignancies were the common two diagnoses among geriatric women (p < 0.05). Postmenopausal vaginal bleeeding was observed more often among geriatric women compared to women aged 45-64 years (19.5% vs 12%, p = 0.03). Endometrial and ovarian cancer distribution did not differ among the two groups when the initial complaint was postmenopausal bleeding.

Conclusion: Type and management of gynecologic problems in women aged over 65 can be challenging and differ from those for younger women. Thus, caring for these women in their reproductive years as well as in later life should be an aim for all obstetrician-gynecologists.

Geriatric women; Gynecologic problems

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