Well-being and the menopausal transition

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between well-being, age, menopausal status, hormone levels and hot flashes. Data from the first 4 years of longitudinal observation from the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health project was utilized. This study involved a population-based sample of 405 women interviewed annually. Blood was taken during the follicular phase (if still menstruating) for estradiol, sex hormone binding globulin, follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone. A validated well-being scale was used. Positive affect increased with age while negative affect decreased with age but only in the postmenopausal category. Positive affect was significantly lower in the 2 years postmenopausal ..