Articles tagged with Menopause
The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has announced the recipients of its 2013 awards, honoring exceptional contributions to menopause research, practice, and education. This year's awards recognize outstanding clinicians, researchers, educators, and media professionals who have expanded knowledge about midlife women's health.
A 12-week aerobic exercise program showed no significant reduction in hot flashes among postmenopausal women. However, white women and those with initial fitness levels improved with exercise. Exercise had small positive effects on sleep quality, insomnia, and depression.
Women who survive cancer have more frequent, severe, and troubling hot flashes than other women with menopausal symptoms. However, the study also found that the cancer survivors reported better psychological and social well-being, similar levels of sexual activity and function compared to women without cancer.
A study published in Menopause found that women with HIV suffer from moderate to severe hot flashes, which significantly impact their daily functioning and overall well-being. The study also highlighted the potential risks of hot flashes on their health, HIV treatment, and ability to abstain from drugs and alcohol.
A large analysis of the Women's Health Initiative trial found that combining hormone therapy with calcium and vitamin D supplements significantly reduces the risk of hip fractures. The study suggests that women taking postmenopausal hormone therapy should consider taking these supplements to boost bone health.
A new study reveals that British post-menopausal women are 50% less likely to access appropriate treatment for vaginal atrophy, a chronic condition caused by low estrogen levels. The condition can lead to painful intercourse and emotional distress, but local oestrogen therapy has shown beneficial effects on sex lives.
A new study presented at The Endocrine Society's Annual Meeting found that excessive salt consumption is associated with a higher risk of nonvertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. Women who consumed the highest amount of sodium had more than four times the risk of fracture, even after adjusting for other factors.
Researchers from McMaster University suggest that menopause is an unintended outcome of natural selection caused by male preference for younger female mates. This study proposes a new explanation for why humans developed menopause, challenging the long-held grandmother theory.
Menopause is now believed to be an unintended outcome of natural selection, with older women being less likely to reproduce due to preference for younger mates among men. This new theory suggests that natural selection protects fertility in women while they are most likely to reproduce.
A study of 1,500 women reveals that hot flashes and night sweats can occur before menopause, particularly among white women, Asian women, and those with certain dietary habits. The findings shed light on the complex factors influencing midlife symptoms and provide reassurance for women experiencing unexpected hot flashes.
A global survey found that treatment with vaginal estrogen improved sex lives for postmenopausal women, reducing pain and increasing satisfaction. The study also showed a positive impact on self-esteem and relationships.
Research presented at the Heart Failure Congress 2013 found that heart failure accelerates the natural process of aging and favours early onset of male 'menopause', also known as andropausal syndrome. The prevalence of AS was four times higher in men with heart failure compared to healthy peers.
The British Menopause Society and Women's Health Concern have released updated guidelines on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), providing clearer guidance on its role, benefits, and risks. The new recommendations aim to optimize clinical decisions and offer balanced advice for health professionals and women considering HRT treatment.
Research confirms memory problems are a real symptom of menopause, exacerbated by hot flashes and negative emotions. Women experiencing more severe symptoms struggled with memory retention.
The EMAS clinical guide provides recommendations for assessing the endometrium in peri and postmenopausal women to exclude carcinoma of the endometrium and premalignant hyperplasia. Transvaginal ultrasound scanning is used for initial assessment, followed by endometrial biopsy as an outpatient procedure.
A recent survey of US obstetrics and gynecology residents found that fewer than one in five receives formal training in menopause medicine. The study suggests that ob/gyn residency programs need to address this training gap, as the number of menopausal women is expected to increase due to an aging population.
Researchers found a significant association between hypertensive diseases during pregnancy and vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats, in middle-aged women. The study of 853 women in the Netherlands suggests a potential biological link between these conditions and cardiovascular disease risk.
Research reveals that estrogen deficiency after menopause leads to increased fat storage in the abdomen, associated with a higher risk of health issues. Post-menopausal women experience changes in cellular processes, leading to more fat being stored overall, which can be a target for future medical advances.
A study published in Menopause found that higher levels of routine daily physical activity, particularly household and caregiving chores, were associated with better sleep and fewer nighttime awakenings for women with hot flashes. The positive effects were mainly observed in white, non-obese women.
A new model developed by researchers at UCLA uses hormone levels to estimate when the final menstrual period will occur in menopausal women. This could help identify accelerated bone loss and increased cardiovascular risk in the year leading up to the final menstrual period.
Researchers found that estrogen alone significantly reduced joint pain in women who had undergone a hysterectomy, with 74% of those taking estrogen experiencing no pain after three years compared to 80% of those taking a placebo. The Women's Health Initiative trial showed modest but significant differences between the two groups.
A recent study found that Chinese women who started menstruating later or went through menopause at an older age were less likely to develop cardiovascular disease. The study also discovered a higher risk of osteoporosis for those with early menopause, with benefits seen in women over 50 when entering menopause.
A new study found that women with BRCA gene mutations tend to undergo menopause significantly sooner than other women, resulting in a shorter reproductive window. Heavy smokers with the mutation had an even earlier onset of menopause, sparking concerns about potential infertility risks.
Researchers found higher uropathogenic E. coli reservoirs in post-menopausal women's bladders compared to pre-menopause, which can lead to UTIs. Estrogen supplementation reduced these reservoirs dramatically, highlighting a potential new approach to prevent or treat UTIs in this population.
A study of 1,837 women found that early surgical menopause is associated with faster declines in long-term memory and overall thinking abilities. Women on hormone replacement therapies had slower declines.
A study of 117 women found that cognitive declines during menopause transition are independent processes, not linked to hormone levels or symptoms like sleep disturbance and depression. Memory problems worsen in the first year after final menstrual period, affecting verbal learning, memory, and fine motor skills.
A new study suggests that human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in older women may represent reactivation of the virus, rather than a new infection. Nearly 90% of HPV infections were detected in women with multiple lifetime sexual partners, highlighting the need for further research on HPV persistence and reactivation.
A team of researchers has identified KNDy neurons as a likely control switch of hot flushes, suggesting that hormonal changes in menopause trigger vasodilation and increased body temperature. The discovery provides a crucial step towards developing more effective treatments for hot flushes.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that women who suffered from childhood cancer were more likely to experience early menopause, with a median age of 44 years. The researchers identified radiation doses and cancer treatments during puberty as risk factors for non-surgical menopause.
A study conducted by Elizabeth Nedstrand and Lotta Lindh-Åstrand found that applied relaxation therapy reduced hot flushes in postmenopausal women by half. The treatment also showed improvements in quality of life, particularly in memory, concentration, sleep, and anxiety.
A study of 292 Brazilian women aged 45-72 found that daily step count is a strong predictor of health outcomes, with active women less likely to be obese or develop metabolic syndrome. The study supports the importance of incorporating physical activity into daily life for midlife women's overall health.
Researchers studied over 1,600 women for 10 years and found no correlation between dietary phytoestrogens or fiber intake and the onset of menopausal symptoms. Despite previous hypotheses that a diet high in phytoestrogens would reduce symptoms, the study suggests that finding a clinically significant effect would be unlikely.
A recent study published in Menopause found that hypnosis can effectively manage hot flashes in postmenopausal women, leading to significant reductions in frequency and severity. The study showed a 57% reduction in skin conductance, which is a measure of hot flash symptoms.
A recent study published in Menopause found that about one-third of women who stopped taking the SSRI antidepressant escitalopram experienced a relapse of hot flashes and night sweats. Women with insomnia and those who responded less well to the medication were more likely to experience a relapse.
A new study suggests that hormone therapy initiated close to menopause can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Women who began hormone therapy within five years of menopause had a 30% lower risk of Alzheimer's dementia than those who did not use hormone therapy.
A new study finds that women experiencing early menopause are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke due to cardiovascular disease. Women with early menopause were found to be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, including smoking, diabetes, and excess weight.
Researchers found that blocking the activity of PUMA and NOXA proteins may lead to new strategies to protect women's fertility. The study also showed that missing these proteins can provide protection against radiation damage, potentially delaying menopause and prolonging female fertility.
Melbourne researchers have discovered a new way to protect female fertility by targeting two proteins that cause egg cell death. The study found that blocking the activity of PUMA and NOXA can prevent damaged eggs from dying, potentially maintaining fertility in women undergoing cancer treatment.
Women experiencing early menopause are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease and stroke. The study suggests that avoiding early menopause or delaying it through lifestyle changes may help reduce this risk.
The European Menopause and Andropause Society published a clinical guide on low-dose vaginal estrogens for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy, finding them effective in managing symptoms. The guide recommends annual review due to the chronic nature of vaginal atrophy.
Research suggests that the menopause evolved to reduce competition between related women, enabling cooperation in childcare. Women who stopped reproducing around age 50 had more grandchildren due to reduced rivalry with their daughter-in-laws.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that weight loss on a low-fat, high fruit and vegetable diet can reduce or eliminate hot flashes and night sweats in women. The research suggests that reducing body fat may help alleviate symptoms by improving heat loss.
A national survey of physicians found that patient fears and misinformation are major barriers to treating menopausal symptoms. The Endocrine Society has developed the Menopause Map, an online tool to guide women through treatment options and assess individual risk factors.
15 top medical organizations have issued a statement of agreement regarding the benefits of hormone therapy for symptomatic menopausal women. The statement concludes that hormone therapy is still an acceptable treatment for menopausal symptoms and has been endorsed by leading organizations in women's health.
A study of 92 menopausal women found that regular physical activity can lead to a decrease in hot flash symptoms. The researchers used objective and subjective methods to track the frequency of hot flashes, finding that exercising actually reduced symptoms in most participants, contradicting previous assumptions.
A new study found that persistent and late-onset menopausal symptoms are associated with increased blood pressure, white blood cell count, glucose, and insulin levels, which are risk markers for heart disease and stroke.
Research published online first in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery found a link between early menopause and an increased risk of cerebral aneurysms. Women who entered menopause at a younger age were more likely to develop brain aneurysms, while later menopause and hormone replacement therapy reduced the risk.
A new study published at EULAR 2012 found that patients with early menopause are 50% less likely to develop severe rheumatoid arthritis. The research also revealed a link between hormonal changes and distinct pathways leading to disease progression. Early menopause was associated with a milder form of the chronic inflammatory disease.
The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Hormone Therapy Trial radically changed the practice of women's health, showing that younger women have better outcomes on hormone therapy than older women. The study highlights the importance of individualized care for women and underscores the need to understand different types of hormone therapy.
The Women's Health Initiative has revealed that hormones produce a mix of risks and benefits for postmenopausal women. The trial found that HT varies with age, being safer when started soon after menopause.
A decade after the Women's Health Initiative stopped a widely used hormone therapy, experts have reassessed its benefits and risks. The new research supports the use of hormone therapy near menopause to alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of heart disease and fractures for most women.
A study published in the journal Menopause found that menopause is associated with certain types of memory deficits, particularly those related to working memory and sustaining attention. The study's findings validate women's experiences of 'brain fog' during this phase of life.
A recent clinical trial found Pycnogenol to significantly improve signs and symptoms of menopause, including reduced oxidative stress. The study showed that Pycnogenol improved irregular heartbeat and digestive problems, as well as decreased bloating.
The clinical guide highlights the benefits of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) in reducing fracture risk for postmenopausal women. SERMs, such as bazedoxifene and lasofoxifene, offer a new therapeutic option with potential anti-fracture effects.
The new report updates the landmark STRAW system, providing a clearer understanding of reproductive aging in women from pre-menopause to the late postmenopausal period. The updated stages include significant revisions, offering more precise definitions and predictions for the onset of menopause.
The European Menopause and Andropause Society publishes a position statement on the role of vitamin D in postmenopausal women, highlighting its implications for health. Regular sunlight exposure and supplements are recommended to maintain adequate levels.
Researchers discovered 13 new gene regions associated with menopause onset, providing insights into reproductive lifespan and conditions like breast cancer and heart disease. Early menopause is linked to increased risk of these diseases, while later menopause may provide protection.
A new study from Boston University has discovered 13 genetic loci associated with the age of menopause onset, providing insight into hormonal regulation and DNA repair. The research team found that genes related to immune function and auto-immune disease are also linked to menopause timing.
Dr. C. Noel Bairey Merz will receive the inaugural Journal of Women's Health Award for her exceptional work in advancing women's health research. Her research focuses on women and heart disease, mental stress and heart disease, exercise, and nutrition in heart disease.
A recent study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that hysterectomies increase the risk of early menopause among younger women. The research tracked over 900 women for five years and found that 14.8% experienced menopause, compared to 8% of healthy controls.