Moderate Alcohol Consumption Contributes to Women's Well-being Through the Menopausal Transition

Objectives: To examine the association of alcohol consumption with well-being in mid-aged Australian women, taking into account other lifestyle factors.

Methods: A prospective, observational study was carried out among 438 urban Australian women aged 45-55 years at baseline. They were assessed annually for 8 years using a questionnaire on health and lifestyle, including self-ratings of well-being and daily 'hassles'. Statistical analyses were performed using cluster and repeated measures analyses.

Results: About 80% of the women had consumed alcohol in the week preceding the interview. Alcohol intake was weakly associated with well-being overall (p = 0.094). Women who consumed alcohol at moderate levels had higher well-being scores than non-drinkers or heavy drinkers, however, provided they were also non-smokers and exercised weekly or more (p for interaction = 0.023) (21% of all study participants). Everyday symptoms and stresses had a negative impact on well-being (all p values < 0.001).

Conclusions: Among women undergoing menopausal transition, well-being is positively associated with moderate alcohol consumption along with other lifestyle factors in a synergistic fashion, rather than any individual factor having a dominant or an independent effect.