The structure of menopausal syndrome: Using network analysis to understand unique symptomatic relationships

This study aimed to explore the network structure underlying the symptoms and to identify the main and bridge symptoms of menopause among middle‐aged women. In the network of menopausal symptoms, anxiety, vaginal dryness, depressive mood, and irritability were the most central symptoms. Depressive mood, anxiety, and vaginal dryness were also the bridge symptoms. The estimated network between the symptoms had good stability. The present network analysis provided unique insights into the inner structure of menopausal symptoms. Therefore, psychological symptoms should be considered the core symptoms in developing relevant interventions to improve the health and well‐being of middle‐aged women.