A cross-sectional cohort study of menopause-related symptoms in British Columbia.

This study explored the health priorities and challenges of midlife women (ages 45-70) in British Columbia, Canada, to identify key elements for a comprehensive, dedicated midlife care program. We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed methods online survey using convenience, non-probability sampling. An online survey (N = 980) assessed health priorities and concerns, care sources, and preferences for a dedicated midlife health program. Staying physically fit was the top priority, followed by weight management, brain health, and mental wellness, with variations noted: Younger women prioritized weight and mental health, while older participants focused on brain and bone health. Respondents relied on family physicians or walk-in clinics for care, but reported unmet needs across services, including access barriers, care quality, and information gaps. Key components for a midlife program identified in this study were as follows: (1) integrated, whole-person care support; (2) preventative care and early detection; (3) mental health as a priority; (4) access that fits women's lives; (5) relational, personalized, and competent care; (6) accessible information and navigation; and (7) community and peer connection. The findings offer insights for developing a midlife women's health program that responds to varied and evolving health priorities through holistic, accessible, and patient-centered approaches.

Evidence and consensus-based clinical practice guidelines for management of overweight and obesity in midlife women: An AIIMS-DST initiative.

Objectives:The study aimed to identify associations between menopause, alcohol use, and mental health. Particularly examining how menopause symptoms may relate to alcohol behaviours in midlife women.Design:An online mixed methods cross-sectional survey study was conducted to gather data on menopause-related symptoms, alcohol use, mental health, and well-being among women.Methods:A sample of 936 women aged 40–65 was recruited for the study. Quantitative measures assessed menopause symptoms, alcohol use and associated harm, mental health, and overall well-being. Qualitative data were collected through text responses to explore motives for drinking.Results:Perimenopausal participants, compared to pre- or postmenopausal women, reported the highest levels of menopause symptoms, negative reinforcement drinking motives (e.g. drinking to cope), negative mood, and the lowest well-being scores. Additionally, negative reinforcement motives partially mediated the relationship between menopausal symptoms and hazardous drinking. Qualitative findings showed that women often drank as a coping mechanism, while some avoided alcohol due to its potential to worsen menopausal symptoms.Conclusions:This study provides new insights into the associations between menopausal symptoms, alcohol use, and mental health in midlife women. The findings highlight the complex factors driving alcohol use and avoidance, suggesting that tailored interventions are needed for women in midlife. This research underscores the importance of addressing alcohol-related risks in this under-researched group, given the potential for significant harm.

Menopausal hormone therapy and menopausal symptoms

National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference Statement: Management of Menopause-Related Symptoms

Background: Menopausal symptoms can affect the quality of life (QoL) of women. Objectives: To determine menopause-related symptoms and QoL in peri- and postmenopausal women in Thailand undergoing various treatment. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at 9 menopause clinics in 4 regions of Thailand. Peri- and postmenopausal women newly registered at the clinics were recruited and followed up for 12 months. A standardized medical record form was used to collect data regarding demographic characteristics, menopause-related symptoms, and treatment. QoL was evaluated using a specific questionnaire. Results: We included 870 women who were 51.8 ± 5.6 years old. We compared demographic characteristics and baseline health profiles of women with normal QoL and impaired QoL. Women with impaired QoL were significantly younger (51.2 ± 4.4 vs. 52.0 ± 6.0 y, P = 0.035) and were disproportionately from northeast Thailand (11.4% vs. 6.6%, P = 0.022). The 3 most common menopause-related symptoms were psychoemotional distress, musculoskeletal pain, and hot flushes. All QoL scores improved with time in both users and nonusers of postmenopausal hormone therapy (pHT), and the scores of both groups converged during months 3 to 12 of the follow-up period. Conclusions: The most common menopause-related symptom in peri- and postmenopausal women in Thailand is psychoemotional distress. QoL scores of women with moderate-to-severe menopause-related symptoms at baseline improve over time, whether or not they use of pHT. The pHT users had poorer QoL at baseline than nonusers, but their QoL improves and matches that of their peers after 3 months. Keywords: Hormonal therapy, menopause-related symptoms, quality of life

Breast cancer, menopause, and long-term survivorship: critical issues for the 21st century

Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease

Premenstrual symptoms at reproductive age resemble menopausal symptoms and have symptomatic commonalities. We hypothesized that women with previous premenstrual syndrome may be more prone to develop menopausal symptoms and aimed to investigate the association of menopausal symptoms and menopausal quality of life with premenstrual symptoms. The study included 120 postmenopausal women. We evaluated the current menopausal symptoms with menopause rating scale (MRS) and quality of life with menopause-specific quality of life scale (MSQoL), previous premenstrual symptoms with premenstrual syndrome scale (PMSS) retrospectively and compared the associations statistically. According to retrospective PMSS, participants were divided into two groups; with and without premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS group included 29 (24.2%) participants and 91 (75.8%) participants were in group without PMS. Sociodemographic characteristics of groups were similar. Somatic and psychological symptoms were higher in MRS of PMS group. Evaluating the MSQoL; psychosocial and physical symptoms were impaired in the PMS group. Vasomotor, urogenital and sexual symptoms were similar in both groups. Premenstrual and menopausal symptoms were related in terms of somatic, and psychosocial symptoms but not in vasomotor, urogenital, and sexual symptoms. It seems that women with previous premenstrual symptoms are more likely to develop menopausal symptoms in some ways. However, a prospective longitudinal study may be needed for more conclusive results.

ObjectivesTo assess the severity of menopausal symptoms and the correlation among different quality of life questionnaires and compare the quality of life of patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for hematological disorders with the norm group in order to facilitate personalized and directed therapeutic intervention for patients.MethodsWe recruited women who had premature ovarian failure (POF) after HSCT for hematologic diseases in the gynecological endocrinology outpatient clinic of Peking University People's Hospital. Women with HSCT were included in the study if they had 6 months of spontaneous amenorrhea with serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels greater than 40 mIU/mL taken 4 weeks apart. The patients who had other causes of POF were excluded. During the survey, all women were required to fill out the questionnaires [Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and 36-item Short-Form (SF-36)] online. We analyzed the severity of menopausal symptoms, anxiety, and depression in Participants. In addition, differences on the SF-36 scale scores between the study group and norm groups were examined.ResultsIn total, 227 (93.41%) patients completed the survey and were analyzed. The severity of all symptoms is “none and mild” in MRS, MENQOL, GAD-7, and PHQ-9. On the MRS, the most common symptoms were irritability, physical and mental exhaustion, and sleep problems. The severest symptoms were sexual problems (53, 73.82%), followed by sleep problems (44, 19.38%) and mental and physical exhaustion (39, 17.18%). In the MENQOL, the most common symptoms were psychosocial and physical symptoms. The severest symptoms were sexual symptoms (35, 48.75%) followed by psychosocial symptoms (23, 10.13%). Moderate-severe scores were shown in 11.89% (27) and 18.72% (42) cases in the GAD-7 and PHQ-9, respectively. Based on SF-36, in comparison with the norm group, the HSCT participants had higher vitality scores and lower role physical, physical functioning, and role emotional scores aged 18–45. In addition, the HSCT participants had lower mental health scores aged 18–25, and lower general health scores aged 25–45. No strong correlation was observed between questionnaires in our study.ConclusionOverall, menopausal symptoms are milder in female patients after HSCT. There is no single scale that comprehensively assesses the patient's quality of life after HSCT. We need to assess the severity of various symptoms in patients using different scales.

BackgroundA recent paradigm shift has highlighted the importance of considering how sleep, physical activity and sedentary behaviour work together to influence health, rather than examining each behaviour individually. We aimed to determine how adherence to 24-h movement behavior guidelines from infancy to the preschool years influences mental health and self-regulation at 5 years of age.MethodsTwenty-four hour movement behaviors were measured by 7-day actigraphy (physical activity, sleep) or questionnaires (screen time) in 528 children at 1, 2, 3.5, and 5 years of age and compared to mental health (anxiety, depression), adaptive skills (resilience), self-regulation (attentional problems, hyperactivity, emotional self-control, executive functioning), and inhibitory control (Statue, Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task) outcomes at 5 years of age. Adjusted standardised mean differences (95% CI) were determined between those who did and did not achieve guidelines at each age.ResultsChildren who met physical activity guidelines at 1 year of age (38.7%) had lower depression (mean difference [MD]: -0.28; 95% CI: -0.51, -0.06) and anxiety (MD: -0.23; 95% CI: -0.47, 0.00) scores than those who did not. At the same age, sleeping for 11–14 h or having consistent wake and sleep times was associated with lower anxiety (MD: -0.34; 95% CI: -0.66, -0.02) and higher resilience (MD: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.68) scores respectively. No significant relationships were observed at any other age or for any measure of self-regulation. Children who consistently met screen time guidelines had lower anxiety (MD: -0.43; 95% CI: -0.68, -0.18) and depression (MD: -0.36; 95% CI: -0.62, -0.09) scores at 5. However, few significant relationships were observed for adherence to all three guidelines; anxiety scores were lower (MD: -0.42; 95% CI: -0.72, -0.12) in the 20.2% who adhered at 1 year of age, and depression scores were lower (MD: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.02) in the 36.7% who adhered at 5 years of age compared with children who did not meet all three guidelines.ConclusionsAlthough adherence to some individual movement guidelines at certain ages throughout early childhood was associated with improved mental health and wellbeing at 5 years of age, particularly reduced anxiety and depression scores, there was little consistency in these relationships. Future work should consider a compositional approach to 24-h time use and how it may influence mental wellbeing.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00892983

Purpose To evaluate factors associated with mental health quality of life (QOL), such as depressed mood, anxiety, poor memory and sleep, among midlife women according to the menopausal status. Material and methods Participants were 500 women aged 40–65 years. Data were collected using socio-demographic questionnaire, Women’s Health Questionnaire (domains of depressed mood-DEP, anxiety-ANX, memory-MEM and sleep-SLE) and Short Form-36 (Mental Composite Score) for assessment of health-related QOL. Factors associated with poorer DEP, ANX, MEM and SLE were examined using adjusted linear regression models. Results In premenopausal women, lower household monthly income (p = .046) was associated with higher level of DEP; higher body mass index (p = .045) was associated with higher ANX; having gynecological illnesses (p = .017) and menopause-related symptoms (p = .039) were associated with poorer MEM; being married (p = .036), drinking alcohol (p = .036) and having more physical activity (p = .041) was associated with better SLE. In postmenopausal women, worse DEP was more likely among women residing in city outskirts (p = .009), who are not married (p = .038) and with sedentary occupations (p = .049); lower education level (p = .030) was associated with more ANX; lower education level (p = .045) and having menopause-related symptoms (p = .044) were associated with poorer MEM; not engaging in regular recreation (p = .031) was associated with better SLE. Conclusions To improve QOL, pre- and postmenopausal women should not only be supported in the management of menopause-specific symptoms. Women should also receive recommendations as to the behavioral and personal changes when approaching the midlife period.

Background/Objective: Menopause marks a significant life transition for women, signaling the end of reproductive ability and triggering various physiological and psychological changes. During this phase, women may experience a range of physical and emotional challenges that can affect their quality of life. This study aims to assess the relationship between women's mental health and their menopausal quality of life. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted among 350 women aged 45-60 years who had either experienced menopausal symptoms or undergone menopause. Using convenience sampling, participants were recruited from academic institutions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using validated tools, including the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses assessed symptom severity and its association with mental health and quality of life. Results: Findings indicated that 27.8% of participants experienced moderate to severe menopausal symptoms. Urogenital symptoms were the most common, reported by 59% of women. Significant correlations were observed between menopausal symptoms and high levels of depression (63%), anxiety (60%), and stress (58%), all of which significantly impacted quality of life. Conclusions: Menopausal symptoms have a profound impact on both physical and mental health, significantly affecting quality of life. Depression, in particular, was found to be the most influential factor. These findings highlight the need for integrated healthcare approaches that address both physical and psychological aspects of menopause.

Introduction: Menopause is an important time for women’s life. Given the prolongation in women’s life expectancy, women will spend a large period of their lives (about 30- 40%) in postmenopausal period. The lack of female hormones causes physical and psychological symptoms that affect, negatively, the quality of life. Vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction and weight gain are physical common symptoms referred by women in menopause. The psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression and irritability. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the menopausal symptoms and to investigate their affect in women’s quality of life. Material and Method: The study sample consisted of 100 menopausal women aged 45-55 and of 101 non menopausal women, so that to do comparisons between the two groups. For data collection has been used an anonymous questionnaire that included the index DASS-21 that measures the depression, the anxious and the stress, the index MENQOL, that refers to menopausal symptoms and whether they affect the quality of life, the questionnaire Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, that measures the sleep dysfunctions, the questionnaire SF-12, that measures the quality of life, the index HFRS, that measures the frequency of flushing and their affect in the quality of woman’s life, the index FSFI, that measures the sexual dysfunction as well as sociodemographic questions. Data were analyzed using the statistic program SPSS 22.0. Results: The menopausal women had higher levels of anxiety, stress and depression compared to non menopausal women (P<0,001). The levels of poor sleep quality were higher in menopausal women (48,4%) compared to non menopausal women (18%) (P<0,001). Non menopausal women had better physical and mental health (P<0,001), higher sexual desire compared to menopausal women. The more physical and sexual menopausal symptoms women experienced in menopause, the worse their physical health was (P<0,001). The more psychosocial menopausal symptoms women had in menopause, the worse their mental health was (P<0,001). Discussions: The transition to menopause is associated with higher levels of anxious, stress, depression, poor sleep quality, sexual dysfunction, more psychosomatic symptoms that affect the quality of life of menopausal women compared to non menopausal women. Health providers must advice women and suggest treatments according to their health history and preferences. Change in lifestyle, health food and exercise can reduce the symptoms of menopause and improve quality of life of these women. Key-words: menopause, quality of life, vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbances, depression, sexual dysfunction, hormonal therapy, alternative medicines, exercise

Background: Adolescents with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) face greater psychological distress than their peers. Fluctuations over time and mitigating factors remain unclear. Objectives: We assessed the mental health symptom burden among adolescents with CIEDs over time, measured its impact on health-related quality of life (QoL) and executive functioning (ExF), and identified factors associated with mental health distress. Methods: In a single center, prospective study from 1/2023 – 5/2024, 41 CIED patients, median 18 years (range 12-21) completed serial validated mental health measures of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cardiac QoL, and ExF. Primary outcome: abnormal mental health screen in any of the domains. Secondary outcome: clinically significant change in anxiety or depression scores, defined as ≥6 and ≥5, between baseline and 3-month follow-up. Univariable linear regression model assessed association between QoL score and select variables. Results: Fifty-four percent of patients had abnormal baseline mental health screens (39% poor cardiac QoL, 36% trauma history, 28% anxiety, 17% depression, 13% abnormal ExF, 5% PTSD). At follow-up, 34% of anxiety or depression scores were clinically significant (Figure). Higher anxiety and depression scores, male sex, and higher PTSD scores were associated with lower cardiac QoL (coefficients: -2.00, p&lt;0.001; -2.23, p&lt;0.001; -10.53, p=0.007; and -0.75, p=0.002). Higher resilience score correlated with increased overall QoL (coefficient: 1.06, p=0.004) but not cardiac QoL (coefficient: 0.54, p=0.11). Mental health scores were not associated with cardiac diagnosis, CIED type or date of implant, or number of ICD shocks. Conclusion: Over 50% of adolescents with CIEDs had abnormal mental health screens. Anxiety and depression scores fluctuated significantly over 3 months. Higher baseline anxiety, depression, and PTSD scores and male sex were linked to lower cardiac QoL. Higher resilience improved overall QoL. Mental health measures showed no association with cardiac diagnosis type, CIED type or duration, or ICD shocks. Routine mental health screening is crucial for improving mental health and quality of life in this population.