Retrospective self-report compared with menstrual diary data prospectively kept during the menopausal transition

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Abstract
Objective To investigate the reliability of self-report of menstrual frequency and flow changes in the context of determining menopausal status categories, using data from the longitudinal phase of the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project (MWMHP). Methods Women reporting at interview at least one menstrual period during the previous 3 months are assigned pre- or perimenopausal status according to their responses to questions about changes in menstrual frequency and flow. For a sample of 72 such women, menstrual diary information was converted into standardized scores measuring change in frequency and flow of menses during the 2 years prior to interview. These scores, coded into categories, were used to derive measures of the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the interview responses. Results Self-report of change in menstrual frequency and flow have low sensitivity to measures based on prospectively kept menstrual diaries. Conclusions Retrospective self-report at interview of changes in menstrual frequency and flow should not be regarded as reliable measures of actual changes in cycle parameters.