[A study of irritability in menopausal women].
Despite the fact that irritability is frequently the main presenting complaint of perimenopausal and  postmenopausal women, studies specifically researching irritability in this population are scant. One  hundred sixty three (163) peri- and postmenopausal women non-HT users, attending a menopause  clinic, were included in this cross-sectional study. The investigation focused on whether the  occurrence of inward and outward irritability in menopause is associated with various menopausal  parameters, such as vasomotor symptoms, insomnia, menopausal status, hormone levels, and with  the presence of chronic disease. Furthermore, we examined the possible association of inward and  outward irritability with measures of anxiety and depression. Outward and inward irritability of peri-  and postmenopausal women seem to be related to chronic disease, a factor that may be partially  influenced by the older age of menopausal women. Outwardly directed irritability is found to be  related to FSH and LH levels, independently of specific menopausal symptoms, such as vasomotor  symptoms or insomnia. Outward irritability was found to be positively correlated with depressive  symptomatology, whereas inward irritability correlated with both anxiety and higher depressive  symptomatology.
Women's Mental Health Clinic, 1st Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, University of Athens.
A
A
Spyropoulou
I
I
Zervas
I
I
Lambrinoudaki
D
D
Rizos
K
K
Koundi
Ch
Ch
Tzavara
E
E
Sanida
A
A
Augoulea
E
E
Vousoura
G
G
Christodoulakos
G
G
Creatsas
C R
CR
Soldatos