Women’s Self-Assessment of Quality of Life and Menopausal Symptoms: An Online Survey of 26,000 Women in German-Speaking Countries

Menopausal symptoms can substantially impair women’s quality of life, yet large-scale, population-based data from German-speaking regions are lacking. We used data of a cross-sectional online survey among 26,338 women in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, using validated instruments such as the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS II), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C). Additional questions covered weight change, employment, nutrition, and physical activity. We investigated correlations and group differences using descriptive statistics and univariate tests. The average MRS score was 16.94, with 51% classified as severe discomfort and 15% as requiring treatment. Insomnia was common, with 90.3% reporting at least some degree of sleep disturbance and nearly half (48%) meeting criteria for clinical insomnia. Sleep problems were significantly associated with menopausal symptom severity. No correlations were found between MRS scores and reported nutrition and exercise. Unemployment and weight gain were significantly associated with higher symptom burdens. These findings highlight the considerable health burden faced by menopausal women in the DACH region and suggest a substantial unmet need for clinical and public health interventions.