Climacteric Women Research Articles

Development and Impact of a Cognitive Reserve Enhancement Program for Climacteric Korean Women

ABSTRACT Background In light of the rising incidence of mild cognitive impairment in women, an appropriate cognitive reserve enhancement program is urgently needed for women experiencing climacteric symptoms. Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop a cognitive reserve enhancement program for climacteric women based on cognitive reserve theory (CRT) and to verify its effectiveness. Methods A nonequivalence control group, pre- and post-quasi-experimental design was used. The 58 climacteric women with subjective memory deterioration enrolled as participants were divided into the experimental group (28 women), which received a 24-session CRT-based cognitive reserve enhance program, and the control group (30 women), the members of which received the cognitive training via a mobile application after completion of the study. Valid data from 24 experimental and 26 control participants were available for analysis. Objective cognitive functions, including overall cognitive, memory, attention, and language, were measured pretest and posttest using the following tools: Everyday Cognition Scale (subjective cognitive function), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (depression), and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version (quality of life). Results The experimental group showed a statistically significant increase in overall cognitive function (t = 3.82, p = .001), memory (t = 2.63, p = .012), attention: number of correct answers (t = 2.12, p = .040), language high-frequency response speed (Z = −2.49, p = .013), and language low-frequency response speed (Z = −2.77, p = .006) in objective cognitive function after 8 weeks in comparison to the control group. Conclusions/Implications for Practice The intervention program tested in this study to enhance cognitive reserve in climacteric women includes cognitive training, emotional and social support, and group physical activity components was found to be effective in enhancing cognitive function.

Effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on the sexual function of climacteric women: a systematic review protocol

Introduction Climacteric period signifies a transitional phase characterized by ovarian failure and a decline in estrogen levels, leading to various urogynecological alterations, including potential sexual dysfunctions. Among these, pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function plays a pivotal role in female sexual function. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on the sexual function of climacteric women. Methods Experimental or quasi-experimental studies published in peer-reviewed journals, assessing the sexual function of perimenopausal women with PFMT as an intervention, will be included. Studies conducted in institutionalized populations or with neurological and cognitive diseases will be excluded. This systematic review protocol follows the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). The searches will be carried out in the Pubmed, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences), Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro, using the Search equation: climacteric women/menopause and PFMT and (sexual function or sexual dysfunction). The assessment of methodological quality will be carried out using the Pedro and GRADE scale, which will involve two independent researchers to evaluate the criteria. A third researcher will resolve discrepancies. Ethics and disclosure Ethical approval is not required as this is a secondary data study. This systematic review began in April 2024 and all steps are expected to be completed by November 2024. PROSPERO registration number CRD42024534297

The effect of back massage applied by spouses on sleep quality, menopausal complaints and marital adjustment in climacteric women

IntroductionMenopause brings many physical and psychosocial problems. These problems negatively affect women, their spouses, and marital relations. Therefore, complementary and integrative methods could be an alternative approach to manage menopause-related problems. ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the effect of back massages applied by spouses on sleep quality, menopausal complaints and the marital adjustment of women in the climacteric period. MethodsThe study was designed as a randomized controlled trial with a pretest and a posttest. A total of 63 couples was randomized to the intervention group (n= 33) or control group (n= 30). Back massages were taught to the spouses of the women in the intervention group. The massage was applied 15 minutes before bedtime, twice a week for four weeks. Data were collected by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Menopause Symptoms Rating Scale (MSRS) and the Marital Adjustment Scale (MAS). Data were analyzed before (the first follow-up) and after the intervention (the final follow-up). ResultsThis study revealed that menopausal complaints were significantly reduced in women and sleep quality was improved in the intervention group (p<0.001). In addition, the marital adjustment of the couples significantly increased in the intervention group (p<0.001). ConclusionsThe findings showed that back massages applied by the spouse helped to reduce menopausal complaints in women, and improved sleep quality and increased the marital adjustment of the couples. These results are promising for using back massage as an easy, safe and cost-effective method to manage menopause-related problems.

HPV and coronary diseases in menopausal women: an integrative review.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with cervical cancer while low-risk HPV strains mostly cause benign lesions. Multiple studies have also associated HPV with coronary artery (CAD) disease in women. Furthermore, the climacteric period in women, triggers chronic inflammation and has major implications for CAD and associated lipid disorders. The association of HPV with coronary artery disease in climacteric women has few studies, and the objective of this review is to gather and analyse scientific data on the subject. This is an integrative review performed on PubMed and Google Scholar using the keywords "HPV", "coronary heart disease" and "climacteric", among these keywords the boolean operator AND and the publication date filter. (2018 onwards). Five articles were found, whose main results show presence of high-risk vaginal HPV in climacteric women. Climacterium and HPV were associated with a three-fold increased risk of CAD, as well as with factors related to menopause that promote atheroma formation, lipid disorders and chronic inflammation. Thus, these results support the association between HPV infection and CAD in climacteric women, possibly via chronic inflammation, hormonal factors related to menopause and dyslipidemia.

The Relationship between Menopause Perception, Body Mass Index, and Waist-Hip Ratio with Menopausal Symptoms in Turkish Women

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between menopause perceptions, feelings felt, body mass index, and waist-hip ratio with menopausal symptoms in Turkish climacteric women. Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted in a Family Health Center. The research sample consisted of 220 women in the climacteric period. Data were collected with the survey form and The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) were measured and calculated by the researchers. Results: The women who perceive menopause as a “natural, normal process” had lower somatic, psychological, and general menopausal symptoms, and those who defined it as “the end of sexuality” had higher genitourinary symptoms (p&lt; .01). Women who were adversely affected or felt negative emotions about menopause reported that they experienced all menopausal symptoms more severely (p&lt; .001). Obese women experienced particularly higher levels of somatic and general menopausal symptoms (p&lt; .05-p&lt; .01), while women with WHR&lt; 0.72 experienced a higher level of genitourinary symptoms (p&lt; .05). Conclusion: The results showed that menopause perception, feelings felt, obesity, and WHR have an impact on menopausal symptoms and levels.

Effectiveness of Pilates-based exercises on the diastasis recti abdominis in climacteric women: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Recent studies have related the climacteric period with changes in connective tissue elasticity that may be related to diastasis recti abdominis. Mat Pilates is a method of exercise without impact that currently has more practitioners, due to its satisfactory results. However, there are no studies that evaluate the effectiveness of mat Pilates for women with diastasis recti abdominis. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the mat Pilates program in climacteric women with diastasis recti abdominis. Methods: This randomized single-blinded clinical trial evaluated climacteric women with diastasis recti abdominis. The participants were randomized into the experimental group, which participated in 3 weekly sessions of mat Pilates for 12 weeks for a total of 36 sessions, and the control group (without exercises). The inter-rectus distance was measured with a digital caliper. The G*Power Version 3.1.9.2. software was used for the sample calculation, and the SPSS 20.0 program was used for statistical analysis. Results: The study comprised 21 women, including 10 in the control group and 11 in the experimental group, with mean ages of 54.3 ± 7.1 and 55.3 ± 6.0 years and body mass index values of 28.8 ± 5.5 kg/m2 and 29.9 ± 4.48 kg/m2, respectively. In the experimental group, reductions were observed in all the measures related to diastasis recti abdominis (p&lt;0.05) in the supraumbilical, umbilical, and infra-umbilical regions. Conclusion: The mat Pilates method is effective for reducing diastasis recti abdominis in the climacteric period.

Climacteric status at age 46 is associated with poorer work ability, lower 2-year participation in working life, and a higher 7-year disability retirement rate: a Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study.

To study the association between an advanced climacteric status at 46 years of age and current perceived work ability, the consequent 2-year accumulation of disability and unemployment days, and the 7-year incidence of disability pensions. Study participants (n = 2,661) were recruited from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study's 46-year follow-up in 2012. The participants' perceived work ability was investigated using the Work Ability Score (0-7 = poor vs 8-10 = good), along with potential covariates. Data concerning their consequent disability days, unemployment days, and disability pensions were collected from national registers. The association between their climacteric status at age 46 years, work ability, and working life participation was assessed using regression models. The climacteric women were more often smokers and more often had a lower level of education. The odds ratio for poor perceived work ability was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.06-1.87), and the incidence rate ratios for disability and unemployment days during the 2-year follow-up were 1.09 (95% CI, 1.07-1.11) and 1.16 (95% CI, 1.14-1.18), respectively, for the climacteric women compared with the preclimacteric women in models adjusted for smoking and education. The 7-year hazard ratio for disability pensions was 1.72 (95% CI, 1.02-2.91) for the climacteric women. An earlier menopausal transition is associated with poorer perceived work ability, and it predicts lower recorded work participation and a higher disability pension rate in subsequent years.

Relationship Between Menopausal Symptoms, Cancer Screening Behaviors, and Religion Attitudes of Women in the Climacteric Period: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Although it is known that religion is used to cope with health problems, there is a lack of information about the effect of religion on menopausal symptoms and cancer screening attitudes of climacteric women. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the religious attitudes of women in the climacteric period and their attitudes toward menopausal symptoms and cancer screening. This was a cross-sectional study of 381 women in the climacteric period in the Central Anatolia region of Türkiye. Data collection form, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), OK-Religious Attitude Scale (ORAS), and attitude for cancer screening (short form) (ASCS) were used to collect data. Correlation analysis assessed the relationship between MRS, ORAS, and ASCS. There was a low positive correlation between women's ORAS mean score (35.19 ± 4.80) and MRS mean score (12.68 ± 7.24) (r = 0.284, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant relationship between the mean ORAS scores of the women and the mean ASCS scores (64.59 ± 10.47) (r = 0.089, P > 0.05). Women who experienced more severe menopausal symptoms had stronger religious attitudes. Women's religious attitudes did not affect their attitudes toward cancer screening. It is therefore recommended that health professionals organize counseling and training activities to protect and improve the health of menopausal women and increase their participation in screening and treatment programs.

Efeitos do treinamento muscular do assoalho pélvico versus Ginástica Abdominal Hipopressiva (GAH) na incontinência urinária de esforço de mulheres climatéricas: ensaio clínico randomizado

ABSTRACT Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is recommended as first-line treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women (scientific evidence level 1). Currently, hypopressive abdominal gymnastics (HAG) has been used in clinical practice without evidence for this purpose. To verify the superiority of an experimental treatment in relation to a positive control (gold standard) for the treatment of SUI and PFM function in climacteric women. A non-inferiority clinical trial was conducted with 31 climacteric women with SUI who were sexually active. They were allocated into two groups: 16 in the PFMT group and 15 in the HAG group. Both groups received 26 sessions twice per week and individual care. All participants were assessed twice, at the beginning and at the end of interventions. The primary outcome was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and the secondary were given by PFM function assessed via bidigital palpation. The methods used to analyze the results were the two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Tukey post-hoc test, when necessary. PFMT was better in improving SUI in the primary outcome (p=0.01). The groups showed no significant difference in force of contraction, time of sustained PFM, and fast and slow repetitions at the time of analysis. Regarding the symptoms of SUI, PFMT performed better than HAG.

Effects of pelvic floor muscle training versus hypopressive abdominal gymnastics (HAG) on stress urinary incontinence in climacteric women: randomized clinical trial

RESUMO O treinamento dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (TMAP) é recomendado como primeira linha no tratamento do nível 1 de evidência da incontinência urinária de esforço (IUE). Atualmente, a Ginástica Abdominal Hipopressiva (GAH) tem sido utilizada na prática clínica com este propósito. Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar a superioridade de um tratamento experimental em relação ao tratamento padrão-ouro para IUE e função do assoalho pélvico em mulheres na menopausa. Foi conduzido um ensaio clínico randomizado de não inferioridade com 31 mulheres climatéricas, sexualmente ativas e com IUE. Elas foram alocadas em dois grupos, em que: 16 foram submetidas ao TMAP e 15 à GAH. Ambos receberam 26 sessões, duas vezes por semana, em atendimentos individuais. Todas as voluntárias foram avaliadas em dois momentos, no início e ao término das intervenções. O desfecho primário foi avaliado pelo Questionário (ICIQ-SF) e o secundário pela avaliação bidigital do assoalho pélvico. Para a análise estatística, foram utilizados o teste ANOVA de duas vias, seguido do pós-teste de Tukey, quando necessário. O TMAP foi superior na melhora da IUE (p=0.01). Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação a força de contração, tempo de sustentação, repetições rápidas e lentas. Em relação à melhora dos sintomas de IUE, concluiu-se que o TMAP é superior a GAH.

The Impact of Salutogenic Factors on the Quality of Life in Climacteric Women

Purpose: The objective of this study was to develop a structural model to assess and forecast the quality of life in climacteric women, focusing the concept of salutogenesis.Methods: Participants were sourced from two urban locations through convenience sampling. Data collection involved questionnaires, analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 20.0. Assessment instruments comprised the Menopause Rating Scale, New General Self-Efficacy Scale, Sense of Coherence Scale, and the Korean version of the WHOQOL-BREF.Results: The fit indices of the proposed model met recommended standards. The sense of coherence, menopausal symptoms, and self-efficacy accounted for 58% of the quality of life variance, with sense of coherence emerging as the most significant predictor. Menopausal symptoms directly and negatively affected quality of life (β=-0.30, p&lt;0.001), and had an indirect influence through self-efficacy and integration (β=-0.30, p&lt;0.001). Self-efficacy positively influenced quality of life directly (β=0.27, p&lt;0.001) and indirectly through integration (β=0.14, p=0.001). Integration positively affected quality of life directly (β=0.36, p&lt;0.001).Conclusion: Interventions to bolster sense of coherence are crucial for enhancing the quality of life among climacteric women.

Sleep disturbances in women with early-onset menopausal transition: a population-based study.

The aim of this study was to investigate sleep disturbances in 46-yr-old women and their association with early-onset menopausal transition. The women of this cross-sectional birth cohort study were divided into climacteric (n = 359) and preclimacteric (n = 2,302) groups by their menopausal status, defined by follicle-stimulating hormone levels and menstrual history. Sleep disturbances were evaluated with Athens Insomnia Scale 5. We performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression models in which sleep parameters were dependent variables and climacteric status, hot flashes, smoking, and education level were independent variables. The use of hormone therapy was also evaluated in women suffering from sleeping disturbances. On the basis of the scale questions, climacteric women experienced significantly delayed sleep induction (12.2% vs 8.7%, P = 0.047), more problems with awakenings during the night (23.4% vs 14.6%, P < 0.001), earlier final awakening (13.8% vs 9.9%, P = 0.039), and more unsatisfying sleep quality (11.9% vs 7.9%, P = 0.023). Climacteric women who were experiencing hot flashes reported unsatisfactory sleep quality more frequently compared with climacteric women who did not experience hot flashes (17.0% vs 9.2%, P = 0.047). In the univariable and multivariable logistic regression models, being climacteric was independently associated with different impaired sleeping parameters. Most climacteric women who had a scale score of 4 or greater were not using hormone therapy, according to their medicine purchases over the past year. Being climacteric was associated with sleep disturbances in women in their mid-40s. However, this association seemed to be particularly driven by hot flashes. Most climacteric women with clinically significant sleeping disturbances were not using hormone therapy.

Efficacy of Jiao's scalp acupuncture in combination with Xiangshao granules on chronic tension-type headache with concomitant nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in climacteric women.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Jiao's scalp acupuncture in combination with Xiangshao granules on chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) with concomitant nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in climacteric women. In this study, we enrolled 150 climacteric women with CTTH and concomitant NAFLD. The participants were divided into three groups based on the random number table: medication group, acupuncture group, and acupuncture-medication group. Treatment continued for 2 months. The efficacy of CTTH was assessed based on the visual analog scale/score (VAS). The influence on NAFLD was assessed based on body mass index (BMI), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and the ratio of hepatic-splenic computed tomography (CT) value. The Participant Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score was compared among the three groups. A total of 123 participants completed the trial, including 37 participants in the medication group, 41 participants in the acupuncture group, and 45 participants in the acupuncture-medication group. Results are summarized hereinafter. (1) The total clinical efficiency rates of the medication group, acupuncture group, and acupuncture-medication group were 89.19% (33 of 37), 90.24% (37 of 41), and 95.65% (44 of 46), respectively. (2) Except for the BMI of the medication group (P = 0.063), a significant difference in VAS, BMI, CAP, the ratio of hepatic-splenic CT value, and PHQ-9 score was found in the three groups (P < 0.01). (3) There was a significant difference in VAS, BMI, CAP, and PHQ-9 among the three groups (P < 0.01), with those in the acupuncture-medication group being superior. No difference in the ratio of hepatic-splenic CT value was found (P = 0.440). (4) The efficacy differed significantly among the three groups (χ2 = 8.130, P = 0.017), and it was significantly superior in the acupuncture-medication group (P = 0.008, P = 0.013). Jiao's scalp acupuncture, in combination with Xiangshao granules, was superior in treating CTTH in climacteric women compared with either acupuncture or medication. Jiao's scalp acupuncture, in combination with Xiangshao granules, was superior in subsiding the negative moods in participants with CTTH and concomitant NAFLD.

Overnight Heart Rate Variability During Sleep Disturbance In Peri- And Postmenopausal Women

ABSTRACT Objectives Disturbed sleep, common during the climacteric, is associated with increased sympathetic activity, a cardiovascular risk factor. We evaluated sleep disturbance effect on autonomic nervous function in climacteric women Methods Seventeen perimenopausal and 18 postmenopausal women underwent a sleep study protocol: an adaptation night, a reference night, and a sleep disturbance night, with a hand loosely tied to the bed to allow blood sampling. This procedure was repeated after six months of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or placebo. Sleep disturbance and MHT effects on overnight heart rate variability (HRV) were analyzed. Results At baseline, sleep disturbance increased vagal HRV in postmenopausal women, but no changes were seen in perimenopausal women. At six months, sleep disturbance increased total HRV power in the perimenopausal placebo group, and increased nonlinear vagal HRV in the postmenopausal placebo group, but no other changes were seen. MHT did not have any effects on HRV, neither at perimenopause nor at postmenopause. Conclusions External sleep disturbance had only minor effects on HRV across menopause. MHT had no detectable HRV effects.

Impact of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on climacteric women’s health: Websurvey

Objective The menopausal transition is an important milestone in female reproductive life. Many studies have been conducted to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, but few of them focus on the climacteric population. This study aimed to investigate changes in the health and health care of climacteric women aged 40–70 years residing in Brazil during the pandemic period. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out using an electronic form with questions related to sociodemographic, clinical and gynecological data, treatments, access to health services and changes in behavior. Results A total of 419 women answered the questionnaire. Sixty percent reported weight gain and 50.8% reported reduced physical activity practice. More than 80% reported worsening mental health and 66.1% had a change in their sleep pattern. More than half reported having difficulty accessing gynecological consultations and routine examinations. Women living in capital cities reported a greater change in alcohol consumption (p = 0.002). Income change was associated with a higher prevalence of weight gain (p = 0.033) and changes in sleep quality (p = 0.018). Conclusion We observed an important reduction in the health care of climacteric women during the pandemic period, such as a decrease in medical consultations and preventive examinations, worsening of life habits and deterioration in mental health.

Sexual functioning after total abdominal hysterectomy or total laparoscopic hysterectomy in climacteric women

Sexual functioning after total abdominal hysterectomy or total laparoscopic hysterectomy in climacteric women

Impact of the new corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on climateric women’s health: websurvey

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted society: causing the collapse of health systems around the world, and also had a significant impact on the economy, personal care, mental health and the quality of life of the population. Few studies have been done about pandemic and the climacteric population, and the impact on quality of life and health. Our objective was to Investigate changes in the health and health care of climacteric women residing in Brazil during the pandemic period. Cross-sectional study with climacteric women aged between 40 and 70 years, residing in Brazil. The evaluation was carried out using a Google Docs electronic form with questions related to sociodemographic, clinical, gynecological data, treatments, access to health services and consultations, as well as changes in behavior. The Menopause Rating Scale - MRS was applied to assess climacteric symptoms, validated for Portuguese. Results: 419 women answered the questionnaire. More than 45% were between 51 and 60 years of age, 56.6% being married and residing in Brazilian capitals. 60% of participants reported weight gain during the pandemic. 50.8% of participants reported a decrease in the weekly practice of physical activity More than 80% reported worsening mental health during this period, and 66.1% had a change in their sleep pattern. More than half reported having difficulty accessing gynecological consultations. Women living in capital cities reported a greater increase in alcohol consumption (p=0.002). Food intake increased for 54.9%; the category of civil servant was associated with a significant increase in consumption in relation to other professions (p=0.038). Women whose family incomes changed during the pandemic had a higher prevalence of weight gain (p=0.033) and also had a higher occurrence of changes in sleep quality (72.6% vs. 61.5%; p=0.018). Women with a high school education had a higher occurrence of alterations in personal and health care outcomes (p<0.001). Conclusion: We observed an important reduction in the health care of climacteric women during the pandemic period. Changes in life habits, such as increased food consumption and reduced physical activity, were quite prevalent. There was a deterioration in mental health, with a high prevalence of anxiety symptoms and changes in sleep quality. Despite the attenuation of the pandemic, attention should be given to the health care of this population, as the changes may have repercussions for many years.

Systemic androgen therapy for menopause women: is it for all and sundry

The benefits and risks of androgenic treatment for climacteric women are still controversial. In this presentation we will try to do a review to evaluate the possible current indications.

Clinical considerations of sarcopenia in Colombian climacteric women

Clinical considerations of sarcopenia in Colombian climacteric women

Uric acid level in climacteric women and its association with clinical and metabolic parameters

Climacteric women often experience unfavorable metabolic changes. Consequently, identifying markers that may contribute to such undesirable changes is imperative. This study aimed to evaluate serum uric acid (UA) concentration and its association with metabolic and clinical parameters in climacteric women. We selected 672 women between 40 and 65 years and performed interviews, biochemical analyses, blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements. UA levels were determined using the enzymatic-colorimetric method. We compared variables according to the quartiles of UA using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The mean UA level was 4.9 ± 1.5 mg/dl, ranging from 2.0 to 11.6 mg/dl. We found that UA levels greater than 4.8 mg/dl were associated with adverse metabolic parameters in climacteric women. For all anthropometric and biochemical variables, we observed significantly better results in women who had lower UA levels (p < 0.05). Similarly, we observed a significant increase in blood pressure, frequency of metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk as UA levels increased (p < 0.05). Our findings showed that climacteric women with high levels of UA were more likely to have adverse metabolic and clinical parameters than those with lower UA levels. Further studies may determine the causal relationship between UA and metabolic changes in climacteric women.