A new study finds that hysterectomies with ovarian conservation increase the risk of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Women under 35 are at greatest risk for congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.
A new study reveals lingering misperceptions about hormone therapy (HT) among clinicians are preventing women from benefiting from treatment. Despite evidence suggesting HT is a relatively safe solution for symptomatic menopausal women, the number of prescriptions and uses continues to decline due to skepticism.
New research highlights same-sex attraction as changing over time, with some women experiencing changes in sexual orientation later in life. Experts stress the importance of open dialogue between patients and healthcare providers about lifestyle changes.
A recent presentation highlights the need for individualized assessment based on patient characteristics and risk factors to diagnose postmenopausal bleeding. The standard diagnostic approach has changed over the past 25 years, but no single method is suitable for all patients.
Long-term treatment of osteoporosis is crucial for postmenopausal women to reduce fracture risk. New guidelines recommend reevaluating fracture risk after 3-5 years of bisphosphonate treatment and considering alternative therapies or continued treatment.
A new study found that postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy and lower urinary tract problems experience reduced sexual activity due to painful sex. Fear of pain during sex is a common reason for avoiding intimacy.
A new study finds that traumatic experiences can affect vascular health and increase the risk of heart disease in women, particularly during the menopause transition. Researchers analyzed data from 272 peri- and postmenopausal nonsmoking women and found a link between higher lifetime traumatic experiences and poorer endothelial function.
A new study found that cognitive behavioral therapy significantly improves sleep quality and reduces depressive symptoms in menopausal women. The four-session intervention led to clinically meaningful improvements, regardless of the severity of depression.
A new study suggests that transdermal estradiol therapy can effectively treat and prevent perimenopausal depression. Women experiencing more stressful life events showed the greatest improvements in mood. The study's findings highlight the potential of transdermal estradiol as a preventive measure for perimenopausal depression.
A new study confirms that postmenopausal women prefer less proven options to hormone therapy for treating debilitating symptoms like hot flashes. Women are more willing to use exercise and herbal supplements over hormone therapy, despite acknowledging its effectiveness.
A new study confirms vaginal estrogen is effective in managing sexual and urinary problems of menopause without increasing risk of serious health issues like heart disease and cancer. The WHI data review also clears the use of vaginal estrogen for genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
A new study analyzing Women's Health Initiative (WHI) data found no significant association between migraines and cardiovascular disease events, or an increased risk of heart disease with hormone therapy. Hormone therapy remains a viable treatment option for menopause symptoms in women with migraines.
A new study reveals that anxiety in postmenopausal women is associated with increased severity of physical symptoms like hot flashes and sleep disruption. The study found a significant link between anxiety and urogenital symptoms, highlighting the importance of screening for anxiety to improve quality of life.
A study published by The Menopause Society confirms electro-acupuncture's effectiveness in reducing hot flash severity and improving sleep quality in breast cancer survivors. Electro-acupuncture has been shown to affect neurotransmitters associated with sleep, such as serotonin and melatonin.
A new study using SWAN data shows that black women experience a lower decline in sexual function compared to white and Japanese women during the menopause transition. After the final menstrual period, sexual function scores decreased by 0.35 annually for five years, with smaller declines in black women and larger declines in Japanese w...
A new study analyzing WHI clinical trials data found that women entering menopause before age 40 have a significantly higher fracture risk. Despite using calcium and vitamin D supplements, the risk remains elevated even with hormone therapy.
A study published by The North American Menopause Society found that low-dose estrogen therapy reduced moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats by 28.3%, 7.4% and 4.2% respectively after 6 months, with sustained improvement over 4 years.
A new survey reveals that most postmenopausal women are unaware of vaginal atrophy (VVA), a chronic progressive condition causing urinary problems. Women are reluctant to discuss symptoms with their healthcare providers, hindering effective treatment.
A study of 124,379 postmenopausal women found that shorter and longer reproductive spans increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Women with optimal reproductive durations had lower BMI and waist circumferences compared to those with shorter or longer periods.
A study of 3,302 women transitioning through menopause found associations between VMS patterns and demographic, reproductive hormone, and psychosocial factors. Women with early onset VMS were more likely to have elevated depressive symptoms and poorer health.
In a 24-week study, aerobic exercise training improved cardiopulmonary functional capacity and reduced waist circumference in postmenopausal women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Exercise also increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, but did not significantly affect body composition or glycemic profiles.
A Swedish population study found that estrogen-only therapy carries a lower risk of blood clots than combined estrogen-progestogen therapy. Transdermal estrogen and vaginal estrogen also show no significantly increased risk of blood clots.
A randomized controlled trial found that physical therapy significantly improves urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, reducing urine leaks by 75%. The treatment involved pelvic floor muscle exercise and retraining with biofeedback.
A large study of over 6,000 Latin American women found that sedentary lifestyles are associated with severe menopause symptoms, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and obesity. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of various health problems, including breast and colon cancer, dementia, and heart disease.
In a phase III trial, DHEA showed significant improvements in vaginal discomfort after menopause, reducing pain with sex by 0.36 points and improving vaginal dryness by 0.27 points compared to a placebo. The treatment also led to increased superficial cells and decreased parabasal cells, indicating improved vaginal health.
The number of compounded hormone therapy prescriptions has reached 26-33 million a year, with sales expected to continue growing despite potential risks. The lack of clinical data and quality control concerns over these products is alarming.
Overweight and obesity are strong predictors of metabolic syndrome in menopausal women. Women who experienced menopause during the study had a higher risk if they were overweight or obese, with risks increasing by up to 12 times for those who were obese.
A study published in Menopause journal found that over half of women after menopause experience vulvovaginal symptoms, affecting lifestyle and sex life. Nearly a third haven't seen a gynecologist in two years, while most aren't receiving standard treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
A new study suggests that perimenopausal hormonal fluctuations may enhance emotional sensitivity to psychosocial stress, leading to the development of a depressed mood. Women are at greater risk of depression than men, with rates doubling or tripling during the menopausal transition.
A new study from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine demonstrates the effectiveness of a two-year menopause-focused curriculum for OB/GYN residents. The program improved residents' confidence in managing menopause patients, with 85.7% feeling comfortable or very comfortable after completion.
Postmenopausal women have more control over their body composition due to the effects of menopause, which can lead to weight gain and decreased physical activity. Regular exercise, even light physical activity such as walking or yard work, can improve body composition in postmenopausal women.
A new study finds that perimenopausal women are at a higher risk of developing insomnia, with symptoms escalating over the transition period to menopause. The odds of having any one symptom of insomnia were 1.3 times greater for those in late stage versus early stage of perimenopause.
A new study reveals that menopause diminishes the impact of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in preventing plaque buildup and artery hardening. The research found a positive association between increases in HDL levels and greater plaque buildup among women transitioning through menopause.
A new study demonstrates that vitamin D3 supplementation can increase muscle strength in postmenopausal women by up to 25.3% and reduce the loss of muscle mass, while also reducing the risk of falls. The trial found that vitamin D supplements provided significant protection against sarcopenia, a degenerative loss of skeletal muscle.
A new study found that local estrogens, such as vaginal tablets, may be more effective than cream in treating genitourinary symptoms of menopause. Women who took tablets were more likely to adhere to treatment guidelines and show improved results.
A new study suggests that early initiation of menopausal hormone therapy within five years of menopause onset reduces the risk of future coronary heart disease. Conversely, late initiation is associated with an increased risk of incident coronary heart disease.
A national survey reveals that nearly a third of US women taking hormones at menopause are using unapproved and untested compounded hormones. The study found four cases of endometrial cancer among these users, highlighting the risks associated with these therapies.
A new study published by Mayo Clinic reveals a significant link between recent abuse and menopause-related symptoms. Verbal and emotional abuse were found to have the most impact on women's experiences, while physical and sexual abuse also played a role in increased symptom severity.
A NAMS panel recommends behavioral approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy and clinical hypnosis as effective in reducing hot flash symptoms. Nonhormonal prescription medications, such as SSRIs and gabapentinoids, are also recommended for their mild to moderate improvements.
The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has honored several individuals for their outstanding contributions to menopause science, care, and communication. NAMS has awarded JoAnn E. Manson, MD, DrPH, NCMP, for her leadership in clinical trials and research on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.
A new study demonstrates postmenopausal women's willingness to use vaginal estrogen (VE) to alleviate painful intercourse and vaginal dryness, with benefits comparable to or exceeding systemic hormone therapy. The study suggests that VE may be a viable solution for certain urogenital problems in menopausal women.
A recent study found that current smokers who experience early menopause can expect to die 2.6 years earlier than those with a later age at menopause. The study also revealed that women with late menopause were more likely to be nonsmokers and use hormone therapy.
The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) revised its recommendations to support the judicious use of systemic hormone therapy in women over 65. The organization acknowledges that hot flashes can persist into the mid-60s, posing a challenge for treatment guidelines and clinical practice.
A new study confirms that 53% of menopausal women use at least one type of CAM for symptom management, raising safety concerns due to lack of medical consultation. Healthcare providers need to be aware of CAM therapies and guide patients to coordinate safe care.
A Swedish population study found that hormone therapy combined with statins significantly lowered the risk of death from any cause and cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. The study compared over 40,000 women who took statins with those who used hormone therapy alone or had no treatment.
A large study of 2,000 Australian women aged 40-65 found that 42% of those between 60-65 years old experienced hot flashes, while 62% continued to experience sexual symptoms. The study highlights the need for better treatment options for these women, many of whom are not receiving adequate care.
A recent study analyzed two large surveys to gauge the use of approved and unapproved hormone therapy among US women at menopause. Women taking compounded hormones often lack understanding about the risks associated with these treatments, which are not tested in clinical trials before dispensing.
A study published in Menopause found a link between early menopause and chronic fatigue syndrome in women, with 66% of those with CFS having undergone at least one gynecologic surgery. Women with CFS reported excessive bleeding and used hormones for purposes other than contraception more frequently.
A Women's Health Initiative study found that removing ovaries lowers the risk of pelvic organ prolapse in women after menopause. Age, rather than menopause, is a stronger predictor of the condition.
A study of American women aged 45-55 found that soy helps alleviate hot flashes in those whose bodies can produce equol, a soy metabolite. Women with the most soy in their diet experienced 76% fewer hot flashes compared to those with less soy intake.