Intensity Of Menopausal Symptoms Research Articles

Exploration of the association between menopausal symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, and perceived stress: survey-based analysis.

The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between menopausal symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, and experienced stress in women from premenopause to postmenopause. We conducted a cross-sectional study using an anonymous survey that included questions on demographics, health (gynecological, gastrointestinal), and lifestyle (physical activity, sleep, etc) factors, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL). Data of 693 participants aged 50.1 ± 3.2 years were analyzed. We found that the MENQOL total score increased depending on the stages of reproductive aging ( P < 0.001) and positively correlated with PSS scores ( r = 0.47, P < 0.001). Age, reproductive stage, body mass index (BMI), PSS score, diagnosis of depression or anxiety disorder, physical activity, and frequency of defecation appeared to have significant association with the total MENQOL score ( P < 0.05). The analysis within separate MENQOL domains revealed that PSS score and diagnosis of depression or anxiety disorder were associated with higher scores in all MENQOL domains ( P < 0.05) except sexual. Physical activity and the values of the Bristol stool form scale were related to the vasomotor items ( P < 0.05). The frequency of defecation was an independent contributor to the psychosocial and sexual domains ( P < 0.05). BMI, physical activity, and frequency of defecation were associated with physical symptoms ( P < 0.05). Perceived stress and some gastrointestinal symptoms in women were associated with menopausal symptoms. Reproductive stages, physical activity, BMI, and previously diagnosed depression or anxiety disorder were related to the intensity of menopausal symptoms. However, further research is needed to confirm the relationship between stress, gastrointestinal, and menopausal symptoms.

Возможности медикаментозной коррекции климактерического синдрома у больных онкологическими заболеваниями органов репродуктивной системы

Aim: To assess the severity of menopausal symptoms and quality of life in patients with iatrogenic menopause depending on the therapy. Design: A randomised parallel group clinical study. Materials and methods. The study enrolled 60 patients of reproductive age with iatrogenic menopause following bilateral ovariectomy who had a history of reproductive tumours. The patients were randomised into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 34) was treated with escitalopram as follows: 5 mg once daily — 7 days, 10 mg once daily — 2 weeks, then 10 mg daily (subgroup 1а) or 20 mg daily (subgroup 1b) — 12 weeks. A dose of 20 mg daily was used where the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms did not fall below 50 % in 3 weeks with a dose of 10 mg daily. Group 2 patients (n = 26) were prescribed an herbal product called cimicifuga racemosa essence (BNO 1055) at a dose of 6.5 mg 1 tablet once daily for 15 weeks. The patients' condition was assessed using a daily hot flash questionnaire; Quality of Life Questionnaire SF-36; Greene Climacteric Scale; and Insomnia Severity Index. Results. The number of hot flushes reduced in all subgroups; however, the reduction was statistically significant only in subgroup 1a. Greene Climacteric Scale showed that following 15 weeks of therapy in subgroup 1a there was significant reduction in the intensity of menopausal symptoms, anxiety and depression, improved somatic signs, reduced severity of vasomotor symptoms, and improved libido vs. baseline. Subgroup 1b patients demonstrated statistically significant reduction in menopausal symptoms and anxiety. Group 2 had marked reduction in menopausal symptoms and depression. Intergroup comparison demonstrates that the most marked effect from the therapy on menopausal symptoms, anxiety, depression and severity of vasomotor symptoms was observed in subgroup 1а vs. subgroup 1b and group 2. Quality-of-life assessment showed significant improvement in the physical component in group 2 patients, while psychological improvements were better in subgroup 1а after 15 weeks of therapy. Subgroup 1a patients had significant reduction in Insomnia Severity Index, while subgroup 1b and group 2 patients did not demonstrate any significant reduction in this parameter. Conclusion. Patients, for whom hormonal menopause therapy is contraindicated, including patients with hormone-driven malignancies, require therapy to improve their quality of life, manage their menopausal syndrome, correct psychoemotional state and improve sleep. The study demonstrated efficacy both of non-hormonal antidepressant escitalopram (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and BNO 1055 essence (a medicinal product). In mild and moderate menopausal syndrome, it is recommended to use BNO essence, while severe cases should be treated with 10 mg escitalopram daily, and therapy efficacy should be assessed after 3 weeks of therapy. Key words: menopause, malignancies, menopausal syndrome, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, antidepressants, cimicifuga racemosa, BNO 1055.

Effectiveness of Tibolone in Relieving Postmenopausal Symptoms for a Short-Term Period in Indian Women.

Tibolone is an alternative to conventional estrogen and progesterone in relieving post-menopausal symptoms in Indian women. A prospective short-term observational study was done at a tertiary care teaching hospital in New Delhi from November 2019 to September 2021. Fifty-three women, less than 60years of age, presenting with moderate to severe intensity of menopausal symptoms as assessed by measuring menopausal rating score (MRS > 8) were enrolled and given Tibolone 2.5mg daily for 3months. Improvements in symptoms were seen at 1month and 3months. Side effects were also noted. Marked improvement was seen as reduction in scores of psychological, somatic and genitourinary symptoms was noted. The psychological symptoms reduced from 8.92 ± 1.959 to 2.905 ± 1.042, the somatic symptoms decreased from 8.33 ± 2.299 to 3.4 ± 1.167, and genitourinary symptoms decreased from 3.64 ± 1.42 to 2.150 ± 0.948 after 3months of treatment with Tibolone. Only 3 patients (5.6%) experienced vaginal spotting with no major side effects. Tibolone is a highly effective and well accepted drug to reduce moderate to severe menopausal symptoms, especially psychological symptoms including depression.

Community-based appraisal of menopause-specific health problems and quality of life among women of rural Western Maharashtra.

Menopause is an important hormonal transition of women's lifespan which can strike as early as 30-35 years of age. Menopause-specific quality of life (MENQoL) mainly depends upon awareness, frequency, and intensity of menopausal symptoms; sociocultural, lifestyle, and dietary factors; and availability of health services specifically focusing on these issues. As life expectancy increases, women have to spend more years after menopause. So menopause specific quality of life will be a major issue of concern in the near future. The aim of this study was to assess the post-menopausal symptoms and quality of life (QoL) amongst post-menopausal women and their association with various sociodemographic factors. A community-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study was undertaken at Sakuri village among 100 postmenopausal women. Information was collected using MENQoL questionnaire. Unpaired t-test and Chi-squared test were used. The mean age of participants and menopause was 51.8 ± 4.54 years and 46.42 ± 4.13 years, respectively. The major symptoms reported were hot flushes (70%), under accomplishment (100%), bloating (100%), decrease in physical strength (95%), and change in sexual desire (78%). Statistically significant association was found between age and psychosocial domain. QoL was associated with age and educational level. More than half of the participants had poor QoL for all four domains. Awareness about post-menopausal changes and available treatment modalities can improve QoL. Accessible and affordable gynaecological and psychiatric health services through channel of primary health care are necessary to alleviate these complaints.

Life habits of postmenopausal women: Association of menopause symptom intensity and food consumption by degree of food processing

ObjectiveTo evaluate in postmenopausal women the association between menopause symptom intensity and the quality of life and clinical, anthropometric, and lifestyle factors, focusing on food consumption by degree of processing. Study designA cross-sectional study of 288 postmenopausal women using interviews. Main outcome measuresThe Kupperman-Blatt Menopausal Index and the Women's Health Questionnaire were used to evaluate the main outcomes of menopausal symptom intensity and quality of life, respectively. Data on socioeconomic, clinical, anthropometric, and lifestyle variables (smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, and food consumption) were collected. ResultsMost women had moderate to severe intensity of menopausal symptoms. The highest tertile of ultra-processed food consumption was associated with a greater intensity of vasomotor symptoms (prevalence ratio [PR] 0.73, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.55–0.96) and sexual behavior (PR 1.22, CI 1.01–1.49). Higher intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages and sausages were associated with somatic symptoms (PR 1.23, CI 1.01–1.49) and poorer memory/concentration (PR 1.22, CI 1.02–1.47/ PR 1.22, CI 1.01–1.48). The highest tertile of vegetable intake was associated with greater protection against depressive mood (PR 0.64, CI 0.43–0.96), vasomotor symptoms (PR 0.79, CI 0.63–0, 99), and sleep disorders (PR 0.83, CI 0.69–0.99), and better quality of life (PR 0.79, CI 0.62–0.99). ConclusionMore intense vasomotor, sexual, somatic, and memory and concentration symptoms are associated with a higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, whereas those with a higher consumption of vegetables reported lower menopause symptom intensity and a better quality of life.

Effect of Mind-Body Approaches on Menopausal Symptoms among Women: A Community-Based Pilot Study

Abstract Introduction The process of women aging is characterized by a gradual transition from reproductive to nonreproductive life period. These changes in aging during menopause are accompanied by a wide range of physiological as well as psychological disturbing symptoms. The traditional therapeutic approach toward menopause management is hormone replacement therapy, which increases the risk of breast cancer, stroke, and coronary heart disease. However, the efficacy of complementary and alternative therapies like mind-body approach to troublesome hot flashes, anxiety, and depression is widely proven and it is used by many women. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the mind-body approach on menopausal symptoms among women. Methods A quantitative research approach with quasi-experimental pretest–post-test design was adopted in the study. A total of 20 samples between the ages of 48 to 55 years with menopausal symptoms were the participants. The intervention of mind body approach (Mindfulness meditation) was performed for 8 weeks, which includes 35 minutes of session per day. Results The majority (80%) of the participants were in the age group of 51 to 53 years and 50% of the participants attained menopause between 49 and 50 years. The results showed that the mean post-test menopausal symptom score was 15.60 ± 2.633 which was lower than the mean pretest score 28.420 ± 1.476 and the calculated t-value, t = 10.157 is greater than the table value (p &lt; 0.001) at 0.001 level of significance. Hence, it is evident that the practice of mind-body approach was effective in reducing the intensity of menopausal symptoms among women. Conclusion The study concludes that the practice of mind-body approach helped in reducing the menopausal symptoms on the domain of psychological and Somato vegetative scale like anxiety, depression, reduction in the intensity of hot flushes, and improved the sleeping pattern. Overall, the practice of Mindfulness meditation helped the participants to have a better quality of life. The study was found to be cost-effective and feasible to be made as a routine intervention for women to manage menopausal symptoms.

Relationship Between Frequency and Intensity of Menopausal Symptoms and Quality of Life Among Polish Nurses.

PurposeThe study aims to compare the quality of life of nurses in the somatic, mental, social and environmental dimensions in the full reproductive and perimenopausal period and to determine the relationship between the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms and the quality of life of nurses aged 45–55.Patients and MethodsThe study involved 334 nurses, of which: 158 (47.31%) were aged 25–35 and 176 (52.69%) aged 45–55, included in the perimenopausal group. A diagnostic survey was used as the research method and the WHOQoL-Bref Questionnaire and the Menopause Symptom List were used to collect data.ResultsNurses aged 25–35 achieved a significantly (p < 0.02) higher level of satisfaction with overall health quality (M = 3.9; SD = ±0.7) than nurses in the 45–55 age group (M = 3.7; SD = ±0.7). A variation in the frequency (F = 62.64; p < 0.0001) and intensity (F = 130.18; p < 0.0001) of menopausal symptoms was identified. It was found that the frequency and intensity of psychological symptoms were significantly higher than vasomotor (p < 0.0001) and somatic (p < 0.0001) symptoms. Additionally, negative relations between the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms and the quality of life of nurses in the 45–55 age group in the somatic, mental, social and environmental domains were demonstrated, with their value ranging from r = −0.19 to r = −0.48.ConclusionThe quality of life of the examined nurses varies. In the perimenopausal period, the frequency and intensity of psychological, vasomotor and somatic symptoms have a significant negative impact on the quality of life of nurses.

Menopausal symptoms among Chinese peri- and postmenopausal women: a large prospective single-center cohort study

Background The prevalence and intensity of menopausal symptoms differ depending on ethnicity, culture, and country. Epidemiological data from China are scarce. Objective To compare the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal Chinese women. Methods This was a prospective two year cohort study that included all eligible women from 31 Chinese provinces attending our ‘Menopause Clinic’, the first official specialized center in China. Structured questionnaires containing seven domains with 41 items in total were used to assess the following menopausal symptoms using descriptive analysis: negative mood, cognitive symptoms, sleep disorder, vasomotor symptoms (VMS), urogenital symptoms, autonomic nervous disorder, and limb pain/paresthesia. Results A total of 4063 women with a mean age of 50.53 ± 6.57 (n = 2107 perimenopausal and 1956 postmenopausal) participated. All menopausal symptoms were more severe in postmenopausal women (p<.05). Independent of menopausal status, urogenital symptoms, often combined with sexual problems, were the most common complaints (in prevalence and severity), followed by sleep disorder, cognitive symptoms (especially hypomnesia), negative mood, autonomic nervous disorder, limb pain/paresthesia and, as the rarest complaint, VMS. Conclusions Urogenital symptoms among midlife Chinese women are common, frequently also in combination with sexual dysfunction, although many do not often complain about these in the first place. Postmenopausal women presented more prevalent and severe menopausal symptoms. In contrast to Western countries, VMS are rare among our population. A multidisciplinary approach and use of hormonal and non-hormonal therapies should be considered for these women.

The Effect of Whole Blood Lead (Pb-B) Levels on Changes in Peripheral Blood Morphology and Selected Biochemical Parameters, and the Severity of Depression in Peri-Menopausal Women at Risk of Metabolic Syndrome or with Metabolic Syndrome.

The aim of our study was to assess the impact of whole blood lead (Pb-B) levels on changes in peripheral blood morphology and selected biochemical parameters, and the severity of depression in peri-menopausal women at risk of metabolic syndrome (pre-MetS) or with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The study involved 233 women from the general population of the West Pomeranian Province (Poland) aged 44–65 years. The intensity of menopausal symptoms and the severity of depression was examined using the Blatt–Kupperman Index (KI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin, glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyceride levels (TG), cortisol, morphology of blood cells and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and Pb-B was measured. Women with MetS had higher levels of glucose, HbA1C, HDL, LDL, TG, cortisol, insulin and higher HOMA-IR. No significant differences in Pb-B were observed between pre-MetS and the control group, and between pre-MetS and the MetS group. A significant correlation was noticed between Pb-B vs. the percentage of monocytes in blood, and blood cortisol levels in women with MetS; Pb-B vs. lymphocyte count and HbA1C in the pre-MetS group, as well as in the BDI scores between the MetS and pre-MetS group. We cannot clearly state that exposure to Pb is an environmental factor that can be considered as a risk factor for MetS in this studied group.

Depression, changes in peripheral blood cell count, and changes in selected biochemical parameters related to lead concentration in whole blood (Pb-B) of women in the menopausal period

The aimThe aim of this study was to assess the severity of depression, vasomotor symptoms, changes in peripheral blood cell count, and selected biochemical parameters in relation to the concentration of lead in whole blood of women in the perimenopausal period. MethodsThe study sample consisted of 233 women from the general population of the West Pomeranian Province (Poland) in age between 44–65 years. The intensity of menopausal symptoms was examined using the Blatt-Kupperman Index, and the severity of depression using the Beck Depression Inventory. The following biochemical data were evaluated: concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, HDL, C-reactive protein, glycated haemoglobin, cortisol, insulin, blood cell count, and lead concentration in whole blood (Pb-B). ResultsA whole blood Pb concentration below 5 μg/dl was found in 55 subjects (23.61 %), in 142 women (60.94 %) it ranged from 5 to 10 μg/dl, while in 36 women (15.45 %) was higher than 10 μg/dl. There was a strong positive correlation between Pb concentration in the blood of the examined women and the severity of depressive symptoms (Rs=+0.60, p = 0.001). The lowest mean values for total leukocytes (5.07 ± 1.22 thousand/μl) and neutrophils (2.76 ± 0.86 thousand/μl) were found in women with Pb concentration above 10 μg/dl (p < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between the number of total leukocytes (r=-0.45, p = 0.002) and neutrophils (r=-0.50, p = 0.001) and blood Pb concentration. Analysis showed statistically significant differences in glucose concentration (p < 0.05) between groups. Blood glucose was higher in women with Pb-B <5 and between 5−10 μg/dl than in women with Pb-B >10 μg/dl. ConclusionExposure to Pb may be a factor playing a significant role in the development of depressive symptoms in menopausal women. It may also be associated with glucose metabolism disorders and immunosuppression in women during this period of life.

Correction:Heart rate variability helps to distinguish the intensity of menopausal symptoms: A prospective, observational and transversal study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225866.].

Heart rate variability helps to distinguish the intensity of menopausal symptoms: A prospective, observational and transversal study.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) represents cardiac autonomic behavior and have been related to menopausal symptoms, mainly vasomotor symptoms and their imbalance to cardiovascular risk. It is not clear in the literature which index represents this imbalance and what is their involvement with the menopausal state. The aim of this study was to evaluate HRV in menopausal transition and post-menopausal symptoms with different intensities. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Rio Branco, State of Acre, Brazil from October 2016 to July 2017. We used Kupperman-Blatt Menopausal Index (KMI) to measure menopausal symptoms intensity. HRV analysis was performed based on the guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. HRV is lower in the group with moderate/intense menopausal symptoms compared to mild symptoms. (RMSSD: p = 0.005, Cohen’s d = 0.53, pNN50: p = 0.0004, Cohen’s d = 0.68; HF: p = 0.024, Cohen’s d = 0.44). There was association between HRV and KMI (RMSSD: r = -1.248, p = 0.004; and pNN50: r = -0.615, p: 0.029) in inverse relation to the intensity of vasomotor symptoms in women in TM. In conclusion, HRV was able to distinguish menopausal symptoms, indicating reduced vagal control in women with more intense symptoms.

Menopausal symptoms are associated with non-adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected middle-aged women

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between the intensity of menopausal symptoms and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) adherence in middle-aged women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 313 Peruvian women with HIV infection (age 40-59 years) were surveyed and classified as adherent or non-adherent to HAART based on the Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence Evaluation Questionnaire. The intensity of menopausal symptoms was assessed with the Menopause Rating Scale, and categorized as none, mild, moderate, and/or severe. Age, sexual orientation, used HAART scheme, time since HIV diagnosis, menopausal status, risk of depression, and presence of comorbidities were also assessed. Poisson generalized linear models with robust variance were performed in order to estimate crude prevalence ratios (PRs) and adjusted PRs using statistical (a1PR) and epidemiological criteria (a2PR).Results: A total of 19.9%, 32.6%, and 15.0% of all women presented mild, moderate, and severe menopausal symptoms, respectively. Overall, 70.6% women were non-adherent to HAART. The probability of non-adherence was higher in women with mild, moderate, and severe symptoms as compared to asymptomatic women in the non-adjusted model (PR: 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39–2.29; PR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.38–2.23; and PR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.64–2.61, respectively) and the adjusted model.Conclusion: The severity of menopausal symptoms was associated with HAART non-adherence in HIV-infected middle-aged women.

Risk factors of sexual dysfunctions in postmenopausal women.

Both somatic and psychosocial factors influence women's sexual functioning. The main objective of the conductedresearch was to determine the risk factors of sexual dysfunctions in women during the postmenopausal period. The researcher studied 666 women between the ages of 45-65 (M = 54.96 } 5.42), who had theirlast period no later than 12 months prior. Standardised questionnaires were used to study: sexual functions (FSFI), intensityof menopausal symptoms (KI), level of depression (BDI), body esteem (BES), health behaviours (HBI). Sexual dysfunctions were diagnosed in 33.03% of the studied women. The respondents with dysfunctions differedfrom the respondents without dysfunctions in terms of: age (p < 0.001), education (p < 0.001), material standing (p < 0.01),relationship status (p < 0.001), body weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.05), self-assessment of health state (p < 0.001), presence ofchronic diseases (p < 0.05), sexual functioning (p < 0.001), intensity of menopausal symptoms (p < 0.001), level of depression(p < 0.001), body self-esteem (p < 0.001), health behaviours (p < 0.001). Regression analysis demonstrated (R2 = 0.24) thatthe higher the sense of sexual attractiveness, the lower the probability of sexual dysfunctions (B = -0.13; p < 0.001). In turn,the risk increases with age (B = 0.06; p < 0.001), intensity of menopausal symptoms (B = 0.04; p < 0.01) and concern aboutone's own body weight (B = 0.04; p < 0.05). Living without a partner (as compared with living in an informal relationship)increases the risk of occurrence of sexual dysfunctions by as much as 129%. Crucial risk factors of sexual dysfunctions in women during the postmenopausal period include: age, relationshipsituation, intensity of menopausal symptoms, sense of sexual attractiveness and concern about body weight.

Intensity of menopausal symptoms and quality of life in climacteric women.

Menopause is a difficult period in a woman’s life, associated not only with the end of menstruation, but also with symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, dizziness, and palpitations which occur due to fluctuations in the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of women (aged 48-55 years) in the physical, mental and social spheres, to determine the intensity of menopause symptoms and to ascertain whether the above indicators are influenced by sociodemographic factors. The study was conducted by diagnostic survey using two tools – the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire for the measurement of the quality of life and the Kupperman index, which measures the severity of menopause symptoms. A total of 161 women not using hormone replacement therapy were examined. In their case, the intensity of menopause symptoms was moderate. The respondents assessed their functioning in the social sphere with the highest number of points (3.65) and in the physical sphere with the lowest number of points (3.14). The intensity of menopause symptoms positively correlated with the evaluation of the quality of life by the respondents. Higher assessment of the quality of life was reported by women working in a given period of time, with good material status, sexually active. The respondents suffered from chronic diseases, most often arterial hypertension. The occurrence of chronic diseases – arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes and osteoporosis – negatively affected the quality of life of the respondents.

Risk factors associated with intensity of climacteric symptoms in Brazilian middle-aged women: a population-based household survey.

To determine the factors associated with the intensity of climacteric somatovegetative, psychological, and urogenital symptoms among middle-aged women in the Metropolitan Region of Campinas, Brazil. A cross-sectional population-based household survey was conducted with 749 women aged 45 to 60 years. The dependent variable was the intensity of menopausal symptoms assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale. The independent variables were sociodemographic data, health-related habits and problems, self-perception of health, and gynecological background. The mean age of the women was 52.5 ± 4.4 years, and the mean age at onset of menopause was 46.5 ± 5.8 years. The intensity of menopausal symptoms was defined using the subscale scores of the median Menopause Rating Scale. Poisson multiple regression for somatovegetative, psychological, and urogenital symptoms showed several associated factors of each subscale, though some factors were common. Factors associated with moderate to severe climacteric symptoms in all the subscales of the Menopause Rating Scale were self-perception of health as "fair"/"poor"/"very poor" (P < 0.01), depression/anxiety (P < 0.01), and osteoarticular diseases (P < 0.01). The severity of climacteric symptoms in the different Menopause Rating Scale domains was related to a broad set of factors. Each Menopause Rating Scale subscale had its own set of factors, but some were common. Presence of chronic diseases, depression or anxiety, and worst self-perception of health were highlighted. A better understanding of these factors may help to not only reduce the effect of climacteric symptoms on the quality of life of middle-aged women, but also identify groups of women who need multidisciplinary health care.

Effects of physical and depressive symptoms on the sexual life of Turkish women in the climacteric period

Objective: To assess the effects of physical and depressive symptoms on the sexual life of women in the climacteric period.Methods: This study was conducted with 572 women at a university hospital. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used to evaluate depressive symptoms, intensity of menopausal symptoms and sexual function.Results: Sexual dysfunction and depressive symptoms were determined in 86.4% and 54.9% of the women, respectively. In univariate analysis, women without health insurance, with low income, being married for longer than 21 years and being in menopause had low FSFI but high BDI and MRS scores. In multiple regression analysis, advanced age of women, women with low income, unemployed women, low educated women and their husbands and women with depressive symptoms had low FSFI scores. There was a negative relationship between total FSFI and MRS and BDI scores.Conclusion: Determination and treatment of sexual, emotional and physical problems in the climacteric period are very important for the improvement of the quality of life of women.

Multiple sclerosis: what's it got to do with your guts?

Multiple sclerosis: what's it got to do with your guts?

Endogenous sex hormones and memory performance in middle-aged Greek women with subjective memory complaints.

The changing hormonal milieu during the menopausal transition may contribute to the development of memory disorders. We aimed to assess the association of sex hormones with memory function in a sample of Greek middle-aged women. This pilot study included 44 women with subjective memory complaints. Memory performance was evaluated using the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT), the Brief Visuospatial Memory test (BVMT), and the verbal digits backwards test (VSPAN), to assess verbal, visuospatial, and working memory performance, respectively. Menopausal symptoms were assessed using the Green Climacteric Scale. VSPAN backwards scores were positively associated with log-transformed free androgen index (logFAI), in models adjusted for age, education, log-transformed free estrogen index (logFEI), hypertension, and the intensity of menopausal symptoms. BVMT total scores were predicted by logFAI (b-coefficient = 0.424, p value = 0.002), education, and combined climacteric symptomatology, in a model adjusted for age, logFEI, and hypertension. Women with circulating estradiol above the median value of 10pg/mL had better total HTLV total scores compared to women with estradiol values below the median (HTLV total scores, estradiol ≤10pg/mL vs. >10pg/mL: 24.2±3.6 vs. 30.0±7.9, p value = 0.007 unadjusted). This association was affected by education and remained independent of menopausal symptoms and testosterone levels, education, and hypertension (model R 2 = 22.3%; b-coefficient = 0.318, p value = 0.024). Endogenous total estradiol is associated with verbal episodic memory, while logFAI is associated with working memory performance and visuospatial episodic memory in this sample of postmenopausal women. These associations were not influenced by age, education, or menopausal symptoms. Larger studies are necessary to evaluate the significance of our findings.

Role of the body self and self-esteem in experiencing the intensity of menopausal symptoms.

The aim of the study was to test differences in self-esteem and strength of the body self, body image, comfort with closeness with others and body protection among women reporting high and low intensity of psychological, vasomotor and somatic symptoms of menopause. The sample included 201 women aged 45-55 years. The Menopause Symptom List was used to test the intensity of menopausal symptoms, the Body Self Questionnaire was used to diagnose the body self, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to examine participants'levels of self-esteem. Differences between women experiencing high and low intensity of symptoms were analyzed using Student's t-test for independent samples. Women experiencing high-intensity psychological, vasomotor and somatic symptoms of menopause showed significantly lower self-esteem and poorer body-self functioning in all its dimensions except for body protection. Women experiencing high-intensity psychological, vasomotor and somatic symptoms of menopause demonstrated poorer functioning of the body self and lower self-esteem.