Articles tagged with Menopause
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.
A study by Queen Mary University researchers investigated how women at high risk of ovarian cancer make choices about possible preventive surgery. Women who have BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations have a higher lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, and may choose to undergo surgery to reduce their risk.
A study of over 2,700 women found that social support does not moderate the impact of stressful events on menopause symptoms. Women who experienced stressful events had a significant increase in symptoms, regardless of their level of social support.
A recent study published in Maturitas found that UV-radiation can affect the levels of oestrogens and gonadotropins in postmenopausal women, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, cardiac diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers recommend carefully monitoring sun exposure to prevent harm.
Researchers found a correlation between inflammatory molecules and depression severity, as well as a link between specific symptoms of menopause and depression. The study used data from the Dallas Heart Study to analyze the association between GlycA levels and depressive symptoms in adults.
The menopause transition is a time of increasing heart disease risk for women, with significant changes in cardiometabolic and vascular health occurring during this phase. Early intervention strategies, such as hormone therapy and lifestyle modifications, are crucial to maintaining healthy heart function and reducing cardiovascular risk.
Women with premature menopause are at higher risk of developing coronary artery disease due to the presence of clonal hematopoiesis in their blood cells. The study found a 36% increased likelihood of clonal hematopoiesis and a 48% higher risk of coronary artery disease among women with premature menopause.
Recent advances in nonhormone therapy provide women with more options for managing hot flashes. The new treatments target the KNDy neuron complex, which is activated during menopause, resulting in hot flashes. These innovations include drugs developed for pain control and mood disorders acting via KNDy.
A new study finds that over half of women with menopause symptoms in Northern California are using cannabis to manage hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia. The study also shows that more than a quarter of participants express interest in trying cannabis for menopause symptom management.
A significant percentage of women continue to value sex throughout midlife, with factors like ethnicity, health, and depression symptoms affecting their interest. The study identified three distinct trajectories in importance of sex with aging, with black women and those with higher education maintaining high levels of importance.
A new study confirms hormone therapy reduces biomarkers of inflammation in postmenopausal women, with greatest benefits seen in those nearing menopause. The study suggests hormone therapy may slow progression of atherosclerosis by targeting inflammatory processes.
A new study finds that midlife women who endured childhood or adult trauma are more likely to suffer from persistently poor-quality sleep. The study involved 166 women aged 40-60 and used actigraphy to measure sleep patterns over five years.
A new study suggests that women experiencing two or more moderate to severe menopause symptoms are at a significantly higher risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. The research found no association with other health outcomes, such as cancer risk, when supplementation of calcium and vitamin D was investigated.
Fetal estrogens, such as estetrol and estriol, show promising characteristics in reducing hot flashes and improving cardiovascular health. They may also provide added benefits that have yet to be fully explored, making them a promising new approach to hormone therapy.
A study identified mitochondrial biomarkers as significant contributors to memory decline after menopause, shedding light on the importance of energy production in women's cognitive health. Researchers found that efficient mitochondrial function was associated with better cognitive performance, particularly in executive functions.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that postmenopausal women have impaired formation of small blood vessels in their muscles, which can lead to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Physical activity prior to menopause may help prevent this decline.
A new study published in the Journal of Physiology found that exercising before menopause is crucial for women to develop blood vessels in muscles and improve muscle strength. The research revealed that capillaries in skeletal muscle are essential for physical capacity, health, and insulin sensitivity, which can lead to Type II diabetes.
A study published in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society found that women with a history of high blood pressure disorders during pregnancy reported more bothersome menopausal symptoms. Women using hormone therapy also experienced more severe symptoms compared to those without a high blood pressure history.
The GCRLE awarded $7.4 million to 22 researchers, including early career scientists and established scholars, to investigate the causes of female reproductive aging. The grants will support innovative projects addressing ovarian aging and its impact on health and longevity.
A University of Queensland study has found that early menstruation increases the risk of hot flushes and night sweats at menopause by 50%. Women who started menstruating before age 14 had a higher risk of experiencing both symptoms, with obesity playing a significant role.
A large-scale study found that young women with few eggs collected during IVF treatment have a higher risk of age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. This increased risk is associated with early ovarian ageing and may be linked to an accelerated ageing process.
Women experiencing hot flushes and night sweats, also known as vasomotor symptoms, are 70% more likely to have heart attacks, angina, and strokes. The severity of these symptoms, rather than frequency or duration, is a key factor in increased cardiovascular risk.
A large study of middle-aged women found that physical activity helps slow the decline in muscle mass during menopausal transition. The research, conducted by the University of Jyväskylä, measured muscle size in perimenopausal and postmenopausal states.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that PFAS exposure may cause menopause to occur two years earlier in women. High levels of PFAS were associated with an increased risk of early menopause, which could have significant impacts on cardiovascular and bone health.
A recent study found that physical activity is beneficial for mental well-being in middle-aged women, regardless of menopausal status. Menopausal women experience more depressive symptoms than peri- or premenopausal women, but being physically active may help to mitigate this negative impact.
A new study found that assessing adverse childhood experiences and current anxiety and depression symptoms can ease cognitive distress in women after surgical menopause. The research also emphasizes the need to consider psychological state during medical procedures, suggesting that pre-surgical risk-benefit discussions may be beneficial.
Preliminary research suggests that taking estradiol within 6 years of menopause onset can prevent or slow atherosclerosis progression by reducing cholesterol deposits in artery walls. In contrast, starting therapy 10 years after menopause did not yield similar benefits.
Research suggests that conventional cardiovascular disease risk factors are not associated with menopause age, but estrogen loss does compromise heart health. Women should be given hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent this harm, according to specialists in a linked editorial.
A study found that women living in green spaces had a later age at menopause, with an average age of 51.7 years compared to 50.3 years in areas with little green space. Lower cortisol levels and reduced risk of depression may contribute to this association.
A University of Gothenburg study reveals that menopausal age is unclear for many women, particularly those using hormonal birth control. Researchers found that after 1992, the number of women still menstruating decreased, leaving uncertainty in determining exact menopausal ages.
A new analysis from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) finds that heart disease risk increases significantly as women enter menopause, with arterial stiffness rising by up to 7.5% within a year before and after the last menstrual period.
Researchers found that measuring anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels can predict when a woman's final menstrual period will occur. AMH serves as an indicator of remaining egg supply, decreasing with age. This new test allows for more accurate predictions within 12 to 24 months in women's late 40s and early 50s.
A new study found that women who breastfed their infants exclusively had a lower risk of early menopause compared to those who did not. The study, which observed over 108,000 women, also found that longer breastfeeding times were associated with a lower risk of early menopause.
A large study of Australian women found that premature menopause increases the risk of developing multiple chronic medical conditions by age 60. Women who experienced premature menopause were twice as likely to develop multimorbidity by 60 and three times as likely after.
Women who have sex weekly are 28% less likely to experience early menopause, according to a new study published in Royal Society Open Science. The research found that having less sex is associated with an earlier menopause, suggesting a biological trade-off between investing energy in ovulation and other activities.
A new study found that postmenopausal women experience more sleep problems, including insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea, compared to premenopausal and perimenopausal women. Researchers confirmed the increase in sleep disorders as women transition from perimenopause to postmenopause.
Post-menopausal killer whale grandmothers improve the chances of survival for their grand-calves, allowing them to focus time and resources on the latest generation. The study found that these grandmothers played a particularly important role in times of food scarcity, where salmon was scarce.
A new study has found that early menopause is associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The observational study revealed a significant increase in cardiovascular events among women who experienced natural premature menopause or surgery-induced menopause before age 40.
Women experiencing menopause before age 40 are at higher risk for several heart conditions, according to a study using the UK Biobank. The research found that premature menopause is associated with an increased likelihood of developing conventional heart disease risk factors.
Researchers investigated how residence patterns after marriage affect menopause symptoms and age of onset. They found little evidence supporting the theory that women's experiences with menopause vary due to dispersal from their natal home.
Women who reach menopause before age 50 are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, according to researchers from The University of Queensland. Early menopause is associated with a 40% increase in cardiovascular conditions and nearly twice the likelihood of non-fatal cardiac events.
A new study published by The Menopause Society finds that fractional CO2 laser therapy is as effective and safe as vaginal estrogen in improving sexual and urinary functionality in postmenopausal women. After 6 months of follow-up, researchers reported similar improvements in symptoms such as vaginal dryness, itching, and burning.
A new study found that 13% of postmenopausal women veterans screened positive for military sexual trauma, strongly associated with mental health diagnoses like PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideation. The study highlights the need for additional research and trauma screening in this understudied population.
A new study found that only 39% of postmenopausal women discuss vaginal issues at well woman visits, despite 45% experiencing symptoms. Clinicians are also reluctant to initiate conversations, but patient-initiated discussions often lead to helpful recommendations.
A new study by The Menopause Society shows that lifestyle coaching can effectively decrease BMI, body fat, and waist circumference in all women. However, the benefits are more noticeable in premenopausal women, who experience larger reductions in percentage of body fat and waist circumference.
A study by The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research suggests that lifestyle modifications can prevent up to 30% of breast cancer cases. The recommended modifications include maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and consuming a balanced diet rich in non-starch vegetables.
During menopause, the natural balance of vaginal bacteria is upset, leading to increased risk of urogenital infections and other health problems. Research highlights the importance of preserving healthy bacteria populations and strategies for promoting Lactobacillus colonization after menopause.
The VITamin D and OmegA-3 Trial (VITAL) found that Omega-3 fatty acids reduced heart attacks, while vitamin D supplementation lowered total cancer mortality among participants. The findings suggest a complex balance of benefits and risks for each intervention.
A new study based on SWAN data shows that frequent and persistent menopausal hot flashes are associated with a higher risk of heart problems. The study found that hot flashes at the beginning of the transition doubled the risk of clinical CVD events, while persistent hot flashes over 20 years increased the risk by 80%.
A new study finds that night sweats are associated with decreased attention and executive function in menopausal women, even as total sleep time increases. In contrast, daytime hot flashes have no impact on sleep duration.