Articles tagged with Menopause
The joint position statement from British Menopause Society, RCOG, and SfE provides evidence-based guidance for healthcare professionals caring for women experiencing menopause. It recommends an individualised approach to care, considering the risks and benefits of therapies as well as lifestyle choices.
A study of middle-aged women approaching menopause found increased body fat, particularly in the waist area, but those with healthier lifestyles had lower fat mass. The research suggests that maintaining physical activity and a balanced diet during this life stage may help protect against health risks associated with increased adiposity.
Women's metabolism alters during menopause due to changes in sex hormone levels. Metabolite profiles show increased lipid and cholesterol levels, especially triglycerides and LDL particles, which can lead to atherosclerosis.
A recent poll found that menopause symptoms significantly impact older women's sex lives, with 84% of women experiencing symptoms in the past year. Despite this, only 44% have discussed treatment with their healthcare provider, while 28% reported symptoms interfering with sexual activity.
Research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that menopause is associated with a decline in cardiovascular health due to hormonal changes. Levels of bad cholesterol rise during menopause, and shifts in sex hormones are linked to this increase.
A recent study suggests that late menopause transition is associated with increased intensity of temporomandibular disorder-induced pain. The research found that TMD symptoms and menopause symptoms are primarily correlated during this stage, but decrease with age and progression through the postmenopausal phases.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that late menopause, occurring at age 55 or older, significantly increases heart failure risk among obese women. Obesity was a major contributing factor, with the risk being greatest among women who experienced late menopause.
Current guidelines for treating women's obesity, hypertension and diabetes are based on men's studies. Researchers call for sex-specific guidelines to accurately treat these conditions in women, as they have different risk factors and manifestations.
A study of 273,240 women found that life events influencing estrogen levels may be linked to a higher risk of dementia. Ever having been pregnant or having had an abortion was associated with a lower risk, while early or late menopause increased the risk.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that certain reproductive events, such as shorter estrogen exposure, may be associated with increased dementia risk in women. However, the association between the number of children and dementia risk was similar for women and men, suggesting social and behavioral factors may play a role.
Researchers at UCLA found that premenopausal women with low levels of anti-Mullerian hormone are at a higher risk of experiencing significant bone loss within two to three years. The study suggests that measuring AMH levels could help physicians identify women at risk and provide targeted treatment.
A recent study suggests that eating nutrient-rich prunes every day may benefit bone health in postmenopausal women by reducing inflammatory factors. The research found significant reductions in inflammatory markers in prune-eating groups compared to a control group.
A new study suggests that working non-traditional shifts may delay the onset of natural menopause in women. The researchers found a significant association between rotating shifts and later age at menopause, possibly due to disruptions in circadian rhythms. Further investigation is necessary to determine the underlying mechanisms.
A new study by Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers identifies follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) as the major pathogenic factor driving Alzheimer's disease in women. FSH increases during menopause and activates a critical pathway, leading to AD pathology.
A recent study suggests a significant association between sleep apnea and joint pain in postmenopausal women, with higher respiratory distress scores linked to joint pain severity. The researchers propose that detailed examination of sleep-disordered breathing be conducted in women with severe joint pain and fatigability.
A new study published in Menopause reveals that lifestyle interventions targeting metabolic changes are most valuable during perimenopause. The study found unfavorable body composition and metabolic characteristics beginning before the menopause transition, making it an opportune window for intervention.
Women who enter menopause before age 40 are more likely to develop dementia later in life compared to those who begin menopause at 50-51 years. Lowered estrogen levels may contribute to this increased risk, with strategies such as exercise and healthy lifestyle habits potentially reducing the risk of dementia.
A new study published in Menopause found that obesity and abdominal obesity significantly increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Maintaining a healthy body weight is key to preventing these conditions.
Researchers investigated the association between family history of breast cancer and mammographic breast density among 14,000 premenopausal women. The study found a positive correlation between having a family history of breast cancer and higher mammographic breast density in these women.
A new study finds that women who experienced their own abuse and witnessed the abuse of others have an earlier age of menopause. The research, published in Menopause, suggests that maternal childhood physical abuse and child sexual abuse accelerate maternal menopause timing by 8.78 years.
A new study found that more than half of postmenopausal women suffer from female pattern hair loss, a condition characterized by gradual thinning at the part line. The study also discovered a significant association between obesity and worsening hair loss in postmenopausal women.
Research published in BMJ Open found that older women with higher oestrogen levels had a lower risk of severe COVID-19 infection and death. Women taking hormone replacement therapy also showed a significantly reduced risk of dying from COVID-19, highlighting the potential benefits of hormonal treatment in reducing infection severity.
A new study has found a potential predictor for perimenopause in the form of IgG glycome composition, which may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment options. The study analyzed nearly 2000 women over 15 years and discovered changes in the IgG glycome that occur rapidly during menopause.
A UMass Amherst study found associations between oral contraceptive use and certain tubal ligation methods with lower levels of antimüllerian hormone (AMH), a biomarker for ovarian aging. This may suggest an increased risk for early menopause in women who have used oral contraceptives or undergone specific types of tubal ligation.
A new study reveals that bilateral oophorectomy may increase a woman's risk for dementia, with a 55% higher risk from age 65 years onward compared to men. Estrogen levels are suspected to play a key role in this association.
A new study suggests that music therapy can significantly decrease depression scores and help reduce menopause symptoms in postmenopausal women. This innovative approach has the potential to be used as a nonpharmacologic therapeutic option for managing menopause symptoms, particularly mood symptoms.
A new study found that resilience is linked to improved sexual health and overall well-being in menopausal women. Women with higher resilience scores had better quality of life during the menopause transition.
A new study published in Menopause journal reveals that severe depression and sexual dysfunction can impair a woman's cognitive skills, including orientation, registration, attention, recall, and language. The study suggests that these symptoms have a significant impact on women's overall cognitive performance.
A study found that arterial stiffness increases with age, but hormonal fluctuations also play a role. Women's hormone levels, particularly estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone, were associated with stiffer arteries, while older women had stiffer vessels regardless of hormone status.
A new study found that hormonal changes during menopause lead to gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion, nausea, and bloating. The study suggests an association between race/ethnicity and menopause status with GI symptoms, with different racial/ethnic groups experiencing varying severities of symptoms.
A study of over 200,500 women found an increased risk of death in younger pre-menopausal women when ovaries and fallopian tubes were removed during surgery. In contrast, the procedure is safer for older post-menopausal women, whose ovaries have already stopped producing estrogen.
A study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä found that physically active lifestyle mitigates unfavourable changes in metabolic health during menopause. Menopausal transition is associated with increased abdominal fat mass, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
A new study found that hot flashes are less common in women with sarcopenia, and are positively associated with paraspinal muscle mass. The research highlights the need for further studies to understand the relationships between menopause symptoms, body composition, and aging.
A new study suggests that greater cumulative estrogen exposure in life may counter the brain-shrinking effect of menopause. Women with longer reproductive years, more children, and hormone therapy showed increased gray matter volume in certain brain areas. This protective effect may help reduce Alzheimer's risk in women.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that postmenopausal women experience a significant decrease in bone mineral density, but at a lower rate than previously assumed. Women who received hormone replacement therapy and those with weight gain during follow-up showed minimal bone loss.
A new study found that women whose menstrual cycle length increased two years before menopause had better vascular health than those with stable cycles. Changes in cycle length may predict cardiovascular disease risk, allowing clinicians to recommend preventive strategies.
A new study using SWAN data suggests that changes in menstrual cycle length during the menopause transition can predict a woman's risk of developing atherosclerosis after menopause. Women with early increase trajectories had the worst cardiometabolic risk profile.
A new trial has found that vaginal laser therapy treatments claim to reduce negative vaginal symptoms of menopause – experienced by about half of all women – by up to 100 per cent. However, the study shows they might not work at all, with no difference found between the laser treatment and a placebo.
Researchers found a chemical inhibitor of PDE9 stimulates cells to burn more fat in mice, reducing obesity and fatty liver. The study's findings suggest the experimental drug may be effective in treating severe obesity and improving heart function.
A new study suggests that sedentary behavior can increase the likelihood of nighttime hot flashes in midlife women. The research found that sedentary behavior independently predicts objective and subjective hot flash experience, even when accounting for moderate-to-vigorous activity levels.
A recent study found that nearly a third of women near the menopause transition use cannabis to help manage their symptoms, with 75% using it for medical purposes. The most common reasons for use included sleep issues and anxiety, with three-quarters of current users reporting relief from their symptoms.
Common hair loss patterns in women include progressive ponytail thinning, increased scalp visibility, and easy sunburn. New therapies such as platelet-rich plasma injections offer promise for stimulating hair growth and minimizing thinning, while treatments like minoxidil and finasteride may also be effective.
A new study suggests that a nutraceutical supplement may improve hair growth and quality in perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal women. Researchers found significant increases in mean total hair counts and global hair quality improvements with few side effects.
Researchers are investigating several nonhormone therapies to manage vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. These treatments have the potential to improve women's quality of life by reducing sleep and mood disruption caused by hot flashes.
A new study based on SWAN data suggests that a higher radiodensity of perivascular adipose tissue in midlife women is associated with worse working memory performance later in life. The quality, not quantity, of cardiovascular fat may serve as a novel biomarker for cognitive function status.
A study of over 3,300 women found that those with a history of migraines were more likely to experience severe or very severe hot flashes and worse menopause symptoms. The research suggests neurovascular dysregulation may explain the link between migraines and hot flashes, as well as their association with heart disease.
Research shows that estrogen replacement during menopause reduces the risk of bone fractures, diabetes, and cancer, but increases stroke, blood clots, and breast/ovarian cancer risk. The quality of systematic reviews on MHT is mixed, with some findings inconclusive.
Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences are investigating the biological complexities of Alzheimer's disease in women during midlife aging. The study aims to reveal transformations in the brain that lead to greater risk of Alzheimer's, with a focus on the menopausal transition.
Scientists have identified nearly 300 gene variations that influence reproductive lifespan in women. Manipulating key genes in mice extended their reproductive lifespan, providing insights into the biology of reproductive ageing.
Researchers determined that a woman's 'vascular age' is a better indicator for cardiovascular disease risk than her chronological age or years since menopause. Hormone therapy brings increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but 'vascular age' provides a clearer answer for physicians making decisions about hormone therapy.
A new study published in the North American Menopause Society's journal Menopause found that a plant-based diet rich in soy reduces moderate-to-severe hot flashes by 84%, with nearly 60% of women becoming free of these symptoms. The study also showed improvements in sexual symptoms, mood, and overall energy.
Researchers found menopause in two distinct killer whale ecotypes, with striking similarities between them. The study suggests that the evolutionary benefits of grandmothering may be a key factor in the development of menopause.
Women who experience early menopause before age 40 have a 40% increased risk of developing coronary heart disease over their lifetime. The study suggests that clinicians should ask women about their menopause status earlier to optimize cardiovascular health and prevent heart disease.
A Danish study of over 173,000 women found that girls with a higher BMI during childhood had lower breast cancer risks both before and after menopause. The research suggests an inverse association between childhood BMI and breast cancer risk, but further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.
A new study published in Menopause suggests that poor sleep quality is associated with female sexual dysfunction, while good sleep quality is linked to increased sexual activity. The study of over 3,400 women found that insufficient sleep quality was a significant factor in female sexual problems during midlife.
Researchers developed a predictive model to estimate the age of natural menopause in middle-aged women based on hormone levels, menstrual cycle irregularities, and lifestyle factors. The study demonstrated adequate prediction accuracy, suggesting potential benefits for health promotion and family planning decisions.
A study found that women with a history of migraine before menopause are at a 29% higher risk of developing high blood pressure after menopause. This association was observed even among those without aura and could be linked to early signs of arterial stiffness.
A study published in JAMA found that the age at natural menopause has increased in US women over the past 60 years, with a corresponding increase in reproductive life span. The research suggests that longer reproductive life spans may be associated with better metabolic health outcomes due to prolonged estrogen exposure.
A new pilot study suggests that administering platelet-rich plasma and gonadotropins near the ovarian follicles can restore ovarian function in women during early menopause. The results show that 11 out of 12 participants resumed menstruation, with one achieving clinical pregnancy.
Research suggests that sleep disturbances during menopause may contribute to changes in the body that increase the risk of weight gain and related diseases. The study found that poor sleep reduced fat utilization, increasing the likelihood of fat storage and subsequent weight gain.