Articles tagged with Menopause
A new study suggests that higher mindfulness may lower stress and the impact of menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes in midlife women. The study, presented at The North American Menopause Society Annual Meeting, found a correlation between higher mindfulness and lower menopause symptom scores, as well as lower stress scores.
A large meta-analysis of over 191,000 postmenopausal women found that early menopause and premature ovarian failure are associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Women who begin menopause before age 40 are 50% more likely to develop the disease than those with normal menopause between ages 45-55.
Perimenopause is a window of vulnerability for depressive symptoms, with hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and life stressors contributing to its development. The new guidelines recommend using proven therapeutic options like antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy as front-line treatments.
A large prospective study of over 107,000 women found no association between physical activity and the risk of early natural menopause. The study, published in Human Reproduction, analyzed data from the Nurses' Health Study II and found that exercise was not significantly linked to a lower or higher risk of menopause before age 45.
Researchers discovered that beluga whales and narwhals undergo menopause, mirroring killer whales' behavior. This reproductive strategy may have evolved due to increased relatedness among family members and the need for older females to contribute to group survival through knowledge sharing.
Researchers discovered that soy protein can counter negative effects of menopause on bone and metabolic health in postmenopausal women. Soy-based diets were found to improve bone strength and metabolic function for both rats with and without ovaries.
A new study, based on a subgroup of KEEPS participants, found no effects of hormone therapy cessation on carotid artery intima-media thickness. The results support the use of hormone therapy for menopause symptom relief or bone loss prevention, with potential benefits on heart disease reduction.
A new study found that hot flashes and night sweats can persist well into women's 60s, 70s, and 80s. Researchers suggest that women with these symptoms should discuss treatment options with their healthcare providers.
A large UK cohort study found that eating oily fish and legumes was associated with a later onset of menopause, while consuming refined pasta and rice was linked to an earlier start. The study's findings could have implications for women's health and wellbeing.
A diet rich in fish and legumes is associated with a delay of over 3 years in natural menopause, while a high intake of refined carbs like pasta and rice speeds up the process. The study also found that vegetarians and those who eat more fruits and poultry may experience later menopause.
A study of over 1,300 women found that entering menopause at a later age was associated with better verbal memory skills. After adjusting for other factors, the researchers found a small but significant difference in memory scores, recalling an average of 0.09 additional words per year.
Estrogen supplementation may prevent type 2 diabetes incidence by regulating glucagon and GLP1 hormones, according to a new study published in JCI Insight. The research highlights the protective role of oestrogens on type 2 diabetes incidence, particularly in post-menopausal women.
A comprehensive review found that acupuncture reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes in menopausal women. The treatment also showed significant improvements in health-related quality of life, presenting a promising approach for managing bothersome vasomotor symptoms.
A new study found that a Mediterranean diet is associated with higher bone mineral density and greater muscle mass in postmenopausal women. The research, conducted in Brazil, used a food questionnaire and bone scans to measure bone mineral density and appendicular lean mass.
Researchers have successfully treated two participants with stem cells, increasing estrogen levels and alleviating menopausal symptoms. The treatment has also led to the resumption of menses and potentially restored fertility in these patients.
A new study found that sleep problems in menopausal women are consistently correlated with hot flashes and depression. However, the study suggests that addressing these risk factors may also address sleep disruptions, offering hope that women's sleep symptoms may not last past the menopausal transition.
A major review of evidence highlights a link between fluctuations in female sex hormones and the development of allergies and asthma. Analysis of over 500,000 women found that starting periods before age 11 and irregular periods were associated with a higher rate of asthma.
A recent study published in Rheumatology found that menopause worsens physical function and functional decline in women with rheumatoid arthritis, leading to a significant impact on quality of life. Women experience rheumatoid arthritis at a rate three times greater than men, with more severe declines and increased disability.
A year-long hormone therapy was more effective than placebo in preventing the onset of depressive symptoms among women without depression during menopause transition and early postmenopause. Women with recent stressful life events showed the greatest mood benefit from hormone therapy.
A new study published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that more than 80% of bone loss in post-menopausal women is due to cortical bone, not trabecular. Cortical bone loss is likely to contribute to the occurrence of fractures in these women.
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 article reviews options for treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause, including low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy and pelvic floor physical therapy. Despite the availability of effective treatments, lack of awareness among healthcare providers and patients hinders reaching women with this condition.
Postmenopausal hormone therapy is not linked to increased risk of stroke if initiated within five years of menopausal onset. However, there may be an increased risk for haemorrhagic stroke with certain therapies containing conjugated equine oestrogens.
A small-scale study suggests estrogen treatment after menopause can protect working memory needed for short-term cognitive tasks from the effects of stress. Women who received estrogen therapy performed better on memory tasks regardless of stress exposure.
A new study from UMass Amherst suggests that women who are underweight during adolescence or adulthood may be at increased risk for early menopause. The research, which followed nearly 80,000 women over 25 years, found a significant association between being underweight and an earlier onset of natural menopause.
A recent study published in Human Reproduction found that underweight women are at a greater risk of experiencing an early menopause compared to lean or normal weight women. Women who were underweight as teenagers or in their mid-30s had a significant increase in the risk of early menopause, with some women reporting a 50% higher risk.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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 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 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 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.
Researchers found that menopause triggers metabolic changes in the brain, increasing the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study used PET imaging to measure glucose metabolism in the brains of 43 healthy women aged 40-60, revealing lower levels of glucose metabolism in post-menopausal women.
A recent genetic study found that men's ability to father children later in life has no link to their longevity, and women's survival past 50 is not favoured by evolution. The research suggests that genes beneficial for both early and late life are the key to understanding why people live beyond 50.
Research suggests that cognitive abilities in grandmothers may have contributed to the emergence and evolution of menopause. Computer simulations found that caring for existing children and grandchildren provided an evolutionary advantage, increasing fertility and survival rates.
Researchers have discovered that adding estrogen to brain regions helps regulate weight and glucose levels in rats with induced menopause. The finding suggests that the medial amygdala is crucial for metabolic health, making it a potential target for treatment.
Women with early or normal onset menopause are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those with late onset menopause. The study found that women who experienced menopause before age 40 were almost 4 times more likely to develop T2D.
A Danish study found that fermented red clover extract effectively prevents hot flushes, hormonal swings, and bone loss in women with menopause. The extract increases the bioavailability of isoflavones, making them easier to digest, and shows promising results without side effects.
A new study suggests that ovarian tissue freezing is a superior option to egg freezing for preserving fertility, reversing menopause, and promoting natural conception. Nearly 37% of women who underwent the procedure were able to have children later in life, with nearly two-thirds experiencing restored natural fertility.
A new study from UMass Amherst suggests that long-term, high intake of vegetable protein from whole grains, soy and tofu may protect women from early menopause. Women consuming approximately 6.5% of their daily calories as vegetable protein had a significant 16% lower risk of early menopause.
Postmenopausal women with shorter reproductive duration, earlier age at menopause, or who never gave birth are at higher risk for heart failure. Women with diastolic heart failure, a type of heart failure affecting the left side of the heart, also face increased risk.
A UMass Amherst study found that high intake of dietary vitamin D and calcium is associated with a modest lower risk of early menopause. The study, which analyzed data from over 116,000 female nurses, suggests that vitamin D from food sources may play a role in reducing the risk of early menopause.
Women who undergo postmenopausal hormone therapy may be at higher risk of hearing loss, according to a new study. The risk tends to increase with longer duration of use and is associated with older age at natural menopause.
A new Penn study reveals that women who experience multiple traumatic events during childhood or adolescence are more likely to develop depression during perimenopause. Women who experienced their first traumatic event in their teens are particularly susceptible, even if they had previously never had depression.
A review of studies on menopause symptoms found that women frequently use alternative treatments but often don't inform their doctors. The University of Delaware study suggests improving communication between healthcare providers and patients using CAM can boost treatment efficacy.
Women who started menstruating early may face a higher risk of stroke, according to research published in Neuroepidemiology. Starting periods at age 13 or younger increases the risk by 1.8 times compared to those who started at age 15. Further research is needed to confirm this association.
Researchers identified distinct changes in bone mineral content and area among midlife women transitioning through menopause, contradicting previous assumptions about bone expansion. The findings suggest that individual variability in bone structure can be used to identify women at risk of fractures far in advance.
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 large international study has linked early puberty and childlessness to an increased risk of early menopause. Women who had their first period before age 11 were 80% more likely to experience premature or early menopause.
Women who started their periods before age 12 have an increased risk of premature menopause, with no children amplifying the risk further. The study found that these women are up to five times more likely to experience premature or early menopause.
A study published in Current Biology found that killer whales are one of only three known species to go through menopause due to reproductive conflict with their daughters. Older mothers suffer higher costs competing to reproduce alongside their daughters, leading to a mortality rate 1.7 times higher for younger mothers' offspring.
A study on killer whales found that older females stop reproducing due to conflict with their daughters, which helps younger family members survive. This evolutionary trait is driven by both cooperation and competition within the family group.
Researchers found that greater weight increases the likelihood of night sweats and hot flashes in early menopause, but reduces these symptoms throughout menopause. Maintaining a healthy weight before and at the onset of menopause may help reduce hot flashes and night sweats.
A longitudinal population-based study found that menopausal women experience an accelerated decline in lung function, with declines in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second comparable to severe smoking. The study highlights the importance of maintaining respiratory health long after the menopausal transition.
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.