How was the WHQ developed?
The WHQ was developed in the 1980s by Myra Hunter at London University [1,2]. Women aged 45 to 65 years were recruited from a large sample of women who took part in an ovarian screening programme in south London. Those who had undergone surgical menopause or who were taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were excluded. Eight hundred and fifty returned completed questionnaires (78% response rate). The mean age was 52.32 years, 82% were married and 66% employed outside the home. The proportions in different socioeconomic categories were similar to the general population statistics for women living in South East England, based on figures taken from the UK Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. The WHQ was subsequently used in a study of 106 women drawn from the age sex registers of five general practices in South London. The means were very similar to the norms [3,4]. Item reflecting mood states, physical sensations, vaginal dryness, sexual interest and satisfaction, vasomotor and
