Social and Psychological Correlates of Menopausal Symptoms

Abstract

The effects of various demographic and personality variables on the nature and intensity of subjectively perceived menopausal symptoms were studied. Data were collected by means of a mailed questionnaire from 135 menopausal and postmenopausal women from a general urban population. Women who reported a higher number of menopausal symptoms tended to be less well-educated, were less likely to be working and viewed themselves in poorer health than women with fewer or no symptoms. Psychosomatic and psychologic symptoms such as nervousness, depression, headaches and irritability were significantly related to such personality attributes as self-confidence, personal adjustment, nurturance and aggression.