Articles tagged with Menopause
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) improves both bone mass and structure, with benefits persisting for at least two years after treatment ends.
A study published in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society found that women's sexual function declines significantly before and after menopause, with menopause itself being a key factor. The study also discovered that hysterectomy has a lesser impact on post-surgical sexual decline compared to natural menopause.
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.
Researchers found that minimal exercise can regulate insulin levels, maintain metabolic function, and help prevent significant weight gain in postmenopausal women. Sedentary rats experienced a 50% reduction in fat tissue after limited physical activity, highlighting the benefits of any amount of exercise.
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 new study found that women who experience frequent nighttime hot flashes and sleep disruption are more likely to exhibit mild symptoms of depression. The researchers suggest menopausal women should be screened for mood disturbances, incorporating efforts to address sleep and nighttime hot flashes.
A study published in Menopause found that women who began menopause before age 46 or after 55 were at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study also revealed that the length of a woman's lifetime reproductive cycle was associated with an increased risk of diabetes.
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 new study found that women who start menstruation at a younger age have a higher risk of certain health issues, including coronary heart disease. In contrast, those who experience menopause later in life are more likely to be in excellent health overall and live longer.
UCLA studies find that menopause speeds up cellular aging by an average of 6 percent, making women biologically older than their chronological age. Insomnia also accelerates aging, with postmenopausal women experiencing nearly two years more biological aging due to five insomnia symptoms.
A recent study published in Neurology found that hormone therapy has a negligible impact on verbal memory and mental skills in postmenopausal women, with or without early treatment. The research suggests that healthy women at any stage after menopause should not take estrogen to improve their cognitive abilities.
A large clinical trial has found that estrogen therapy does not impact cognitive function in postmenopausal women, contradicting previous theories. The study suggests that healthy women at any stage after menopause should not take hormone supplements to improve memory.
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.
Researchers followed 1,455 women for 15 years, finding four distinct trajectories for hot flashes and night sweats. Characteristics such as education level, alcohol consumption, and depression/anxiety levels were associated with different symptom patterns.
The European Menopause and Andropause Society publishes a new position statement on healthy menopause and aging. The model emphasizes a holistic approach to midlife women's physical, psychological, and social well-being. It recommends specialist teams and interdisciplinary networks for optimal care.
Researchers developed an index to predict bone loss in women during menopause by considering both bone formation and breakdown. The Bone Balance Index was found to be a stronger predictor of bone loss than a measurement of bone breakdown alone.
A new study published in the journal Menopause found that acupuncture significantly reduced hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause. The treatment resulted in a 36.7% decline in frequency of hot flashes after six months, with benefits persisting for another year.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that telephone-based cognitive behavioral therapy significantly improves sleep quality and reduces insomnia in women through all stages of menopause. The therapy also helps with hot flashes, reducing their interference with daily functioning.
A new care pathway provides evidence-based information for healthcare professionals to address menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. The pathway emphasizes holistic assessment and personalized approach to maintaining post-reproductive health.
Researchers found that female pelves widen with puberty, reaching full width by age 25-30, but then narrow again after menopause. Hormone levels drive this process, suggesting the body can modulate pelvic dimensions to ensure optimal childbirth.
A new study found that measuring anti-Mullerian hormone in blood can help predict the rate of future bone loss during menopause transition. Women with lower hormone levels are more likely to experience faster-than-average bone loss.
A new study reveals that measuring anti-Mullerian hormone in women during the menopause transition can help predict the rate of future bone loss. The test identifies women at risk of faster-than-average bone loss, allowing for targeted interventions.
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 new study suggests that the menopause evolved as a result of a combination of factors, including the 'grandmother hypothesis', which proposes that women live long past reproductive age to care for their grandchildren. The study also found that males who remained at home provided an adaptive benefit by allowing females to focus on rep...
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.
A new study by the University of Cincinnati reveals that migraine headaches increase in frequency and severity for women approaching menopause. Hormonal fluctuations during this time may trigger increased headaches, but researchers also suggest that medication overuse could be a contributing factor.
A meta-analysis of 14 studies representing nearly 68,000 women found that menopause at age 40 or older was associated with a decreased risk for depression compared to premature menopause. Longer reproductive periods and exposure to endogenous estrogens may contribute to this protective effect.
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 large study of over 93,000 women found that active and passive smoking are associated with an increased risk of infertility and earlier menopause. Women who smoked daily had a 14% greater risk of infertility, while those exposed to second-hand smoke had a 26% heightened risk of menopause before age 50.
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 preliminary study found that soy protein and isoflavones can slow down bone loss and lower the risk of osteoporosis in early menopause. The study suggests that incorporating soy foods into a diet could be an effective option for improving bone health in women during this period.
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.
The Endocrine Society published a Clinical Practice Guideline on treating menopausal symptoms, recommending that women assess their individual benefits and risks of hormone therapy. The guideline suggests using various therapies, including hormonal and non-hormonal options, to manage symptoms such as hot flashes and genitourinary issues.
A recent study found that approximately 43% of the S-equol in women's plasma is in two biologically active forms after ingestion. These findings suggest that these bioactive forms may contribute to the relief of menopausal symptoms, as reported in previous clinical trials.
Postmenopausal women with vulvar and vaginal atrophy often suffer from dyspareunia despite recognizing its physical, emotional, and psychological consequences. Women are not educated about treatment options or the underlying clinical cause of VVA.
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 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 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 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 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.
An international study of nearly 70,000 women found that genes involved in DNA repair play a crucial role in determining when a woman enters menopause. The research also confirmed a link between earlier menopause and lower breast cancer risk, with increased risk associated with delayed menopause.
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.
A University of Pittsburgh study finds that late- and post-menopausal women have more fat around their hearts than pre-menopausal counterparts, increasing the risk of heart disease. Hormonal changes during menopause may be to blame for this shift in fat deposits.
Researchers found that white women with surgical-induced menopause had a 35% reduced risk of non-fatal heart attacks compared to white men, while black women showed less significant differences. The study suggests that healthy preventive behaviors are crucial for all women, regardless of menopausal status.
Women in perimenopause experience more sleep disturbances before menstruation due to higher progesterone levels, which disrupt deep sleep and lead to more awakenings. This study provides insight into the mechanisms behind sleep disturbances during menopause transition.
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.
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 study of 34,157 postmenopausal women found that vitamin D and calcium supplements had no significant impact on menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and fatigue. The results suggest that these supplements may not be an effective treatment option for relieving menopausal symptoms.