Menopausal Signs Research Articles

INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE MENOPAUSE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS IN MENOPAUSE WOMEN A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Introduction: Women who experience menopause will experience a decrease in the hormones estrogen and progesterone that occurs before menopause caused by ovarian atrophy, so it needs to be overcome with pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy. One type of non-pharmacological therapy is complementary therapy. Objective: This study aims to identify interventions that can be taken to reduce menopausal signs and symptoms. Methods: CINAHL, PubMed, and Sage Journal databases were used for searching articles with sample inclusion criteria of menopausal women, Randomized Controlled Trials or quasi experimental study design, published in 2017-2022, in English, and full text. The exclusion criteria used were the focus of articles discussing interventions to reduce menopausal signs and symptoms with pharmacological therapy, protocol study articles, and pre-proof articles. Results: The search results for 14 matching articles were found. Interventions that can be done to reduce menopausal signs and symptoms are grouped into 4 approaches, namely psychological approaches (self hypnosis and mindfulness stress reduction programs), physical approaches (foot soaking and physical activity), nutritional approaches (herbal medicine, administration of magnesium, fluid nutrition, administration of isoflavones), and combined approaches (electroacupuncture, combined diet guidance and anti-resistance exercises). Conclusions: From the 14 articles obtained, it can be concluded that there are 4 categories of therapeutic approaches that can be taken to reduce menopausal symptoms.It is recommended that further research focus on interventions that are effective in reducing menopausal symptoms.

POST-VACCINATED COVID-19 OXIDATIVE STRESS IN MENOPAUSE FEMALES

After 12 months of amenorrhea (absence of menses) and the irreversible termination of ovarian activity, menopause is identified. Menopause has a number of physiological implications, including increased abdominal obesity and a higher risk of cardiovascular and metabolic illness. Hot flashes (HF), headaches, back discomfort, stiff joints, weariness, and difficulty sleeping are all signs of menopause. Menopause begins around the age of 51. Menopause occurs prematurely in 0.3–1.1% of women. During menopause, oxidant stress (hydrogen peroxide and superoxidant anion) increases the formation of free radicals. Intermediates in enzymatic reactions that occur during cell metabolism (reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen) sometimes leak from enzyme molecules and interact with molecular oxygen, creating free oxygen free radicals. The molecular basis of cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders is oxidative stress caused by free oxygen radicals. HF and irregular menses are common complaints among women, as seen in many blog entries, so there may be some research to be done. Oxidative stress causes COVID-19 post-vaccination side effects. Antioxidant supplements and menopausal hormonal treatment may lower oxidative stress and inflammation. The focus of this research is to see how oxidative stress and quality of life levels change after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, which is used to treat HF associated with menopause.

Menopause in chimpanzees.

Signs of menopause in wild chimpanzees provide insights into human evolution.

A descriptive study to assess the knowledge regarding menopausal symptoms and its management among women in selected community of Rewa (M. P.)

To check the information involving menopausal signs and its administration amongst women. To decide the affiliation of understanding with the chosen demographic variables. There will be no big relationship between girls know-how with chosen demographic variables. There will be sizable relationship between female information with chosen demographic variables Literature evaluate entails systematic identification, location, scrutiny and precis of written substances that comprise data on a lookup problem.” It presents groundwork for future investigation, justifies the want for the study, throws mild on the feasibility of the study, displays constraints of statistics series and relates the findings from one learn about to any other with a hope to set up a complete find out about of scientific expertise in a expert discipline, from which legitimate and pertinent theories might also be developed. A descriptive survey lookup method used to be viewed the first-rate to check the know-how concerning menopausal signs and symptoms and its administration amongst women. In the current find out about the non-experimental lookup graph used to be viewed the most appropriate through the investigator. Setting refers to the region the place the find out about is conducted. The find out about will be carried out in the Laxmanpur Community Rewa (M.P.). In this study, the pattern will include of 60 girls from chosen neighborhood of Rewa. Non-probability Convenient sampling approach will be used for the study. Non-probability Convenient sampling method makes use of contributors who are conveniently reachable to the researcher and meet the standards for the study. 80% of the pattern had a very bad understanding rating ranging between 0-10 and 20% samples had common understanding rating ranging between 11-20 concerning the menopausal signs and its administration and none of the topics had a true information involving menopausal signs and its management. Findings of the find out about are discussed in line with objectives, overview of literature, and speculation in relation to comparable research carried out via different researchers. Discussion of findings is based totally on the pattern characteristics, information of women, the affiliation of know-how with chosen demographic variables. The major intention of this find out about was once to check the know-how involving menopausal signs and symptoms and its administration amongst the women. The Non-Experimental Descriptive learn about plan was once adopted for the existing study.

Autophagy characteristics of phytoestrogens in management and prevention of diseases: A narrative review of in-vivo and in-vitro studies.

Phytoestrogens are non-steroid polyphenolic materials present in 300 plants. Regarding their structural similarities to estradiol, phytoestrogens attach to estrogen receptors and display anti- or pro-estrogenic activities. This review explored phytoestrogens' potential advantages and autophagy properties in light of their future application for disease management, highlighting how phytoestrogens could modulate autophagy. Research has examined the prospective benefits of phytoestrogens for the anticipation and management of various conditions, including signs of menopause, tumors, skin deterioration, osteoporosis, heart disease, neurodegenerative conditions, disorders of the immune system, and metabolic syndrome, owing to their therapeutic effects. As phytoestrogens can activate or inhibit autophagy, which has antioxidant, apoptotic, anti-mutagenic, anticancer, transcriptional, and genomic impacts on cancer and aging illnesses, phytoestrogens could influence diseases through the modulation of autophagy. The collaborative research on animal models, utilization of genetic techniques, and administration of pharmacologically active substances has indicated the possible therapeutic benefits of autophagy modulation in various illnesses. Further research is required to illustrate the pathways by which phytoestrogens modulate autophagy and the possible therapeutic effects on these diseases.

The effect of “Dong trung ha thao Sapa” hard capsules in the uterus of ovariectomized mice

“Dong trung ha thao Sapa” (DTHT) capsules, prepared from Cordyceps militaris powder, are intended to be used in relieving menopausal signs and symptoms. The current study aimed to evaluate the estrogenic properties of DTHT capsules on experimental animals. Female mice from 6 to 8 weeks were used for the study. Mice were divided into the following groups: group I - normal control without being ovariectomized (saline-treated); group II to V were ovariectomized, group II (saline-treated); group III (Ethinyl estradiol-treated), group IV (low dose DTHT capsules) and group V (high dose DTHT capsules). The potential effect of DTHT capsules was evaluated by measuring both the wet and blotted uterus weights. The uterus was then fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, HE(Haematoxylin & Eosin) stained and examined histopathologically. The results suggest that DTHT capsules show estrogenic activity in ovariectomized mice by increasing wet uterus and blotted uterus weight and improving the uterus’s histology. DTHT capsules appear to be an effective therapeutic drug for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

Breast cancer and progestins in menopausal hormone therapy: a literature review

Menopausal signs and symptoms challenge the patient’s quality of life. Fortunately, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has been proved to be the most effective strategy, with oestrogen as the gold standard treatment. Addition of progesterone is mandatory in women with an intact uterus to protect the endometrium from hyperplasia that predisposes to uterine cancer. Newly synthetic progestins used in MHT differ in some pharmacological properties, and fewer data analyze profoundly its potential risks, which can influence decision-making process in menopause consultations. This literature review explores the differences between the preclinical and clinical profiles of progestins, particularly investigating its association with breast cancer risk. We focused on analyzing the most common prescriptions such as; Medroxyprogesterone acetate, Nomegestrol Acetate, Norethisterone, Drospirenone, Norgestimate, Levonorgestrel, and Desogestrel. Evidence suggests there is a greater breast cancer risk for synthetic progestins than natural progesterone, with differences among each type as well. Larger, long-term studies are needed to strengthen this outcome and provide evidenced-based clinical guidance.

Snow White and the Seven Signs of Menopause: The Magic Mirror—A Cautionary Tale from the Elders

Snow White and the Seven Signs of Menopause: The Magic Mirror—A Cautionary Tale from the Elders

Vaginal pH Measurement as a Strategy for the Early Diagnosis of Vulvovaginal Atrophy in the Development of Menopause

Objective: Most studies use clinical examination and evaluation of symptoms as subjective forms for the diagnosis of vaginal atrophy. Vaginal hormonal cytology and vaginal pH are objective forms commonly used, however, mainly for treatment control purposes. Despite the relevance of the early diagnosis of vaginal atrophy, we are not aware of studies that objectively or subjectively evaluate the evolution of the parameters with this intention. The aim of the study was to assess if the instruments most used in scientific studies for indication and follow-up of AVV therapy could be used for the early diagnosis of AVV. Methods: The sample consisted of 40 women, 21 in the menopausal/ premenopausal transition (Group 1) and 19 in the postmenopausal (Group 2), between 40 and 65 years old. Results: It was observed that the set of parameters evaluated, such as: symptoms, clinical examination, vaginal pH, cell maturation value and questionnaire, mainly when used in an associated way, suggest being efficient for the diagnosis of AVV. In general, the observed changes in pH measurement show a good association with cell cytology, which was very characteristic in the two experimental groups (pre and postmenopausal). In addition, pH also showed good association with clinical examination parameters and the main symptoms and signs of menopause. Conclusion: Finally, the results herein shown seems to be promising in relation to the use of vaginal pH measurement as a “tool” for the early diagnosis of AVV.

Using of Cupping Therapy among Palestinian Women in Reproductive Age using a cross-sectional survey

Introduction: Cupping therapy or Hijamah is a traditional practice after spiritual healings and herbal medicine in Islamic Arabic culture. Wet cupping is by far the most common type of cupping therapy. No previous study in Palestine about this topic and nurses are not in isolation of this topic. So, the purpose of the study is to investigate the use of cupping therapy among women in reproductive age. Methods: A cross-sectional study from September 2018 through December 2018, to evaluate the use of cupping therapy among women in reproductive age in three centers at 48 lands/ Palestine. The sample size was included 100 Palestinian women from 48 lands were selected from three centers taken from their files. Developed questionnaires were used based on previous study and researchers’ experience. SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Results: Show there is a significant relationship between using cupping therapy and improvement in the Menstrual cycle with a significant P-value (0.0377). The study showed that (34%, n=34) of women answered that they have used therapy to treat back pain; (67%, n=23) of them reported improvement and pain decreased. The study (24%, n=24) of women answered that they have used therapy to treat infertility; (75%, n=18) of them become pregnant after 2-3 sessions of cupping therapy. The study showed that (13%, n=13) of women answered that they have used therapy to treat migraines; (46%, n=6) of them reported relieved headache after Hijama. While, (11%, n=11) of women answered that they have used therapy to treat menopausal signs and symptoms; (18%, n=2) of them reported improvement. About (8%, n=8) of women have used therapy for irregular menses; (62%, n=5) of them reported improvement. Finally, (7%, n=7) of women have used in just because of “Sunnah” or religious issues, and (3%, n=3) have used for dysmenorrhea with good outcomes. Lab tests for these patients were the same before and after Hijama except for the infertility group. For this group the mean of test for 24 participants was: FSH before cupping was 7 IU/L and after 9 IU/L, TSH was 0.6 IU/L and after 1.2 IU/L, LH was 5 IU/L and after 7.5 IU/L, progesterone was 6 IU/L after cupping becomes 7.5 IU/L, with high satisfaction level (77%, n=77) of participants. Discussion and Conclusion: In general these results support and reinforce our hypothesis that cupping therapy has a positive effect on women in reproductive age in treating menstrual disorders, migraine, infertility, back pain and findings recommended several conditions. The nurses should have knowledge regards to this complementary treatment to provide culturally competent care.

Controversies Regarding Ovarian Suppression and Infertility in Early Stage Breast Cancer.

A common side effect of chemotherapy in breast cancer is early menopause in premenopausal patients, which is mainly a result of an indirect form of ovarian ablation, and is associated with substantial impairment of quality of life. Suppressing the production of ovarian estrogen has been shown to reduce the recurrence of hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer in premenopausal women, but whether it has an added advantage over tamoxifen is being discussed. Types of permanent ablation of the ovarian function include surgical oophorectomy and radiation-induced ovarian failure. Both are associated with similar response rates in hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. Medical castration with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs (LHRHa) has the benefit of being a reversible approach. Another advantage that premenopausal patients who wish to reduce the risk of developing premature ovarian insufficiency induced by chemotherapy may be offered LHRHa irrespective of whether they desire pregnancy and their age at diagnosis. This also helps reduce the risk of menopausal signs and symptoms as well as the loss of bone density in the long-term, which are primary concerns for women. This is of utmost importance to premenopausal women who do not want to conceive after treatment or are not candidates for fertility preservation strategies because of age. It should be emphasized that for women who are interested in fertility preservation, gamete cryopreservation remains the first option, and LHRHa is not an alternative. During chemotherapy, however, temporary ovarian suppression with LHRHa may be given to women who either have no access to a fertility clinic or who have declined chemotherapy or have contraindications.

Intracrinology and menopause: the science describing the cell-specific intracellular formation of estrogens and androgens from DHEA and their strictly local action and inactivation in peripheral tissues.

The secretion of estrogens by the ovaries stops at menopause. Afterward, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) becomes the only source of both estrogens and androgens during all the postmenopausal years. To maintain very low and biologically inactive concentrations of estrogens and androgens in the circulation, DHEA is transformed intracellularly into cell-specific small amounts of estrogens and androgens (except in the endometrium) which then act and are inactivated locally in the same cells, thus avoiding biologically significant systemic exposure to active sex steroids. The secretion of DHEA, however, mainly of adrenal origin, has already decreased by an average of 60% at the time of menopause and it continues to decrease thereafter with a parallel lowering in available intracellular estrogens and androgens. Consequently, after the arrest of estrogen secretion by the ovaries, the loss of DHEA becomes practically responsible for the symptoms and signs of menopause. Replacing what is missing, namely DHEA, at the right place, at the right time, and in the right amount, seems to be the logical and physiological approach for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and signs, as recently demonstrated for pain at sexual activity (dyspareunia), the most bothersome symptom of vulvovaginal atrophy due to menopause.

Effect of Nano silver as Additive by Different Ways to Acrylic Denture Base and its Role in Menopausal Woman Management

Background and aim: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is broadly used as a removable prosthesis denture base. Silver Nano-particles (AgNPs) had been included to PMMA because of their antibacterial homes and higher thermal conductivity, at the same time as it had a destructive effect on the flexural strength and coloration stability that is probably resulted from the inhomogeneous combination. The motive of this research changed into to discover whether the addition of (AgNPs)to PMMA either in liquid form or in powder nation can enhance the flexural strength and the shade balance of PMMA. Also evaluating an edentulous menopausal lady as a multidisciplinary control after wearing a denture made from silver nanoparticles added to (PMMA) denture base. Materials and methods: Fifty specimens of heat cure acrylic resin had been organized for flexural strength and color stability. Twenty-five for each test that become divided into 3 groups. Group 1 was the control group (unmodified acrylic resin specimens) and group 2 turned into Nano silver introduced within the form of powder to the polymer of (PMMA), while group 3 was Nano silver brought in the form of liquid to the monomer of (PMMA). Group 2 and 3 specimens had been break up into subgroups A and B 5 each, with 0.2%, and 0.4 % wt. of Nano silver addition to (PMMA) respectively. A flexural strength was measured via the usage of an Instron regular testing machine. A double beam ultra-violet visible spectrophotometer was checked to the degree of coloration stability. One edentulous menopausal woman that present process treatment below a gynecologist for menopausal signs and symptoms was selected as a case report and received denture made out of silver nanoparticles added to acrylic resin and patient satisfaction became evaluated after 4 months. The results have been gathered tabulated and statically analyzed. Results: There has been a massive distinction in the flexural power values among all corporations (p< 0.05) relative to the non-changed heat treatment (control group). Acrylic resin samples with 0.2% in liquid additive form (3A) ended in more flexural power then 0.4% addition (3B) in comparison to different changed groups .The samples with 0.4 % in powder form(2B) had a lowest flexural strength in comparison to the all groups (p< 0.05). In comparing the color variations (ΔE) comparable to control group, group 3A and group 3B, showed lowest color variations respectively. At the same time group 2Aand 2B ended in highest shade distinction . Conclusion: Set up on the effects of this results, modifying PMMA with Nano silver debris led to lower in flexural strength and shade stability, addition of Nano silver particles in liquid shape was higher than powder form as concerning flexural strength and better color difference and the addition percentage of 0.2 became better than 0.4. Menopausal pride turned into higher and her complain became managed with the new denture.

Managing Menopausal Symptoms and Associated Clinical Issues in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Review evidence to guide management of menopausal signs and symptoms in women after breast cancer and make recommendations accordingly. Randomized controlled clinical trials, observational studies, evidence-based guidelines, and expert opinion from professional societies. Symptoms and clinical problems associated with estrogen depletion-sleep disorders, vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), vasomotor symptoms (VMS), mood changes, depressive symptoms, cardiovascular disease, osteopenia, and osteoporosis-confront the estimated 9.3 million breast cancer survivors globally. Following breast cancer, women should not generally be treated with menopausal hormone therapy or tibolone but should optimize lifestyle. Women with moderate to severe symptoms may benefit from mind-brain behavior or nonhormone, pharmacologic therapy. The selective serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors and gabapentenoid agents improve VMS and quality of life. For osteoporosis, nonhormonal agents are available. Treatment of VVA remains an area of unmet need. Low-dose vaginal estrogen is absorbed in small amounts with blood levels remaining within the normal postmenopausal range but could potentially stimulate occult breast cancer cells, and although poorly studied, is not generally advised, particularly for those on aromatase inhibitors. Intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone and oral ospemiphene have been approved to treat dyspareunia, but safety after breast cancer has not been established. Vaginal laser therapy is being used for VVA but efficacy from sham-controlled studies is lacking. Therapies undergoing development include lasofoxifene, neurokinin B inhibitors, stellate ganglion blockade, vaginal testosterone, and estetrol. Nonhormone options and therapies are available for treatment of estrogen depletion symptoms and clinical problems after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Individualization of treatment is essential.

Influence of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection on Symptoms and Signs of Menopause.

Some symptoms of menopause have also been described in patients with toxoplasmosis. Whether Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection has any influence on clinical manifestations of menopause is yet unknown. We sought to determine whether T. gondii exposure is associated with symptoms and signs of menopause. We performed a cross-sectional study of women attending a public health center in Durango City, Mexico. Participants were examined for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked immunoassays. A questionnaire including 47 symptoms and signs potentially associated with menopause was applied. Association of seroprevalence for T. gondii with clinical characteristics of women was assessed by bivariate and multivariate analyses. Bivariate analysis showed that bouts of rapid heartbeat, breast pain, electric shock sensation, dizziness, digestive problems, low back pain, and migraine were associated with seropositivity to either IgG anti-T. gondii alone or both IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii. Breast pain was the only variable that was found to be associated with IgG seropositivity to T. gondii by multivariate analysis: (OR = 2.84; 95% CI: 1.35–5.90; P = 0.005). Our results suggest that T. gondii exposure may influence on the clinical manifestations of menopause. Results deserve further research.

Approaching Menopause (But Not There Yet!): Caring for Women in Midlife

iIn a study by Beyene, Gilliss, and Lee (2007), 40to 48-year-old women, when questioned about what they considered “middle age,” identified 45 to 60 years as “middle-aged.” Many women, although they may no longer consider themselves “young,” don’t consider themselves “old,” either. Rather, they look at their mothers and describe them as old (Im, Liu, Dormaire, & Chee, 2008). According to Shilling (2011), “Sixty is the new forty” is a common refrain and 45 no longer feels “old.” While it’s great to be young at heart, it’s still important for women to be aware of the health issues they may encounter as they enter middle age. Yet, many may not be thinking about the approach of menopause and its concomitant health changes until noticeable physical alterations occur (Im et al., 2008; Weismiller, 2009). Perimenopause and Menopause Menopause is a natural and normal part of a woman’s life, a transition to the part of life when she is no longer able to bear children. For most women, perimenopause, or the time period from the onset of menopausal signs and symptoms through the cessation of menses for greater than 1 year, usually begins around age 47, and is complete by age 55 (Weismiller, 2009; Zender & Olshansky, 2009). Many women see this as a positive time in their lives, with decreasing worries about contraception or menses; however, other women may see it as an end to their unique Approaching Menopause (But Not There Yet!)

Abstract P2-06-20: Hormonal Criteria for Assessment of Menopause: Role of Anti-Mullerian Hormone

Abstract Introduction: The difficulty in establishing the time of menopause poses a problem in many breast cancer research studies. We sought to determine the value of adding anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) to the accuracy of designating hormonal signs of menopause in 179 women who were recruited for a case-control study of nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) biomarkers. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to obtain medical and reproductive history, self-reported menstrual cycle length, last menstrual period and age. Serum estradiol, progesterone, FSH, and AMH were measured in a blood sample obtained on the day of the study encounter. Criteria for premenopause were: serum FSH &amp;lt;30 mIU/ml, AMH &amp;gt;0.08 ng/ml, estradiol (E2) &amp;gt;30 pg/ml, and menstrual periods of 25 to 35 days. For postmenopause the inverse of the hormone levels and no menstrual periods for &amp;gt;12 mo and age &amp;gt;52 years was used. Serum progesterone (P4) concentration of &amp;lt;3 ng/ml provided confirmation of postmenopause. Results: The age range was from 35 to 69 years (median 51). By self-report (amenorrhea &amp;gt;12 mo and age) 76 subjects were premenopausal; 70 were postmenopausal and 33 subjects were perimenopausal. Table: Designation of menopausal state based on hormonal criteria: Concordance of individual measures with the designation based on all criteria (percentages). Table FSH was found to be discordant in 1 (1.1%) of premenopausal subjects and in 5 (5.3%) of postmenopausal subjects. AMH was found to be discordant in 21 (24.7%) of premenopausal subjects and 6 (6.4%) of postmenopausal subjects. Estradiol was discordant in 13 (15.3%) of premenopausal subjects and in 7 (7.4%) of postmenopausal subjects. Progesterone was &amp;lt;3 ng/ml in all of the postmenopausal subjects. The combination of FSH and AMH predicted 100% of the grouping based on all measures; FSH and E2 predicted 99.9%. The absence of progesterone is a certain criterion for postmenopause but adds nothing to the designation of premenopause. Comment: An accurate determination of the hormonal and reproductive status of women is critically important in studies relating hormones to breast cancer risk. The loss of ovarian hormones has long-term implications, and the menopausal status at the time of sampling determines the recent and current hormonal exposure. Using the hormonal criteria, all women in this study could be classified as pre-or postmenopausal. Adding AMH to the usual hormones did not improve the designation based on the other criteria. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-06-20.

A reduced size of the ovarian follicle pool is associated with an increased risk of a trisomic pregnancy in IVF-treated women

The increased risk of a trisomic pregnancy with a woman's age arises from an increased rate of meiotic non-disjunction in the oocytes. It has been hypothesized that the increase in meiotic errors is related to the decreasing number of oocytes with age. Our aim was to assess the relation between trisomic pregnancy and three parameters of oocyte quantity. In a Dutch nationwide database on in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment from 1983 to 1995, we identified 28 women with a trisomic pregnancy conceived via or within 1 year from IVF treatment. We selected five age-matched controls with a healthy child for each trisomy case. We performed a case-control study to examine whether trisomy cases more often had a history of ovarian surgery and a lower response to ovarian hyperstimulation than controls. Subsequently, cases and controls were followed to compare the incidence of signs of menopause at the end of the study period as self-reported by questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis showed an association between trisomic pregnancy and a history of ovarian surgery [odds ratio (OR) 3.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0-10.5; P = 0.04] and between trisomic pregnancy and retrieval of < or = 4 oocytes during IVF treatment (OR 4.0; 95% CI: 1.4-11.5; P = 0.01). The adjusted OR for signs of menopause associated with trisomic pregnancy was 5.7 (95% CI: 1.1-29.9; P = 0.04). Our results suggest that IVF-treated women with a reduced ovarian follicle pool are at increased risk of a trisomic pregnancy, independent of their age. Our findings support the hypothesis that follicle pool size and not chronological age determines a woman's trisomy risk. Since a questionnaire was used, we cannot fully exclude the possibility of selection bias in this study.

Preventive Effects of an Extract of Erythrina Lysistemon (Fabaceae) on Some Menopausal Problems: Studies on the Rat

Objective - Our purpose was to determine the advantage of early treatment (before ovariectomy) on a preventive basis of an ethyl acetate extract of Erythrina lysistemon (EL) on menopausal signs, an extract which has previously shown estrogenic activity by acting through the oestrogen receptors.Methods - Female Wistar rats aged 1-1.5 month were randomised in groups and treated respectively from 28 days before ovariectomy to 84 days after. The fasting lipids levels, glucose tolerance, bone and uterine weight, uterine and vaginal epithelial height were determined at days 0, 28, 56 and 84; whereas body weight was determined every forth night.Results - Oral administration of 200mg/kg/d of EL significantly increased HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels on days 0 and 28 and decreased them at days 56 (70%) and 84 (48.27%) compared to untreated ovariectomized rats. It also significantly increased bone weight. Further, EL at day-56 controlled glucose intolerance; but it failed to do so at day-84 and significantly increased blood glucose level. At day 0, EL significantly decreased uterine weight of animals as well as E1. In contrast 28 days after ovariectomy, EL significantly increased uterine weight (36.43%), uterine (19.71%) and vaginal (31.76%) epithelial height with a more advance vaginal cornification compared to controls.Conclusion - These results suggest that oral administration of 200mg/kg/d of EL 28 days before ovariectomy prevented bone loss. EL had a transient effect on glucose intolerance. However EL significantly increased HDL-cholesterol and decreased TG levels.

Manifestations of somatic disturbances in early postmenopause in women after physiological and surgical menopause

The most common secondary manifestations of menopause are clinical manifestations of estrogen deficiency. They could be early and late. The aim of this study was to compare manifestations of somatic disturbances in early postmenopause in women after physiological and surgical menopause. This prospective study included 60 women, age 41-55 years, divided into two groups: physiological (30 of them) and surgically induced menopause. For every subject a special evidence list, consisting of the disease history questions, physical and gynecology examination as well as dates about physiological variables (arterial tension, height, weight, and body-mass index) and laboratory examination was formed. The values of arteriol blood pressure, body height, body mass, body mass index (BMI), and lipid status were determined and gynecological examinations were performed in each patient. The most frequent symptoms in both groups were vasomotor ones. Headache was the more intensive sign in the group after induced menopause. Extrasistolyc heart excursion was a common symptom in both study groups. Arterial tension, regardless of the type of menopause, was in the physiological range. The frequent organic signs of menopause, more intensive in the group after induced menopause, were genitourinary and skin atrophy. An analysis of the BMI showed that the women in both groups were obese (BMI > 25). The lipids analysis confirmed the predomination of hyperlipoproteinemia type IIa in the group with physiologic menopause and type IIb after induced menopause. The dominant signs of menopausal syndrome were vasomotor and bone-joint symptoms, more frequent in the group after induced menopause. There were no statistically significant differences between the study groups according to the genitourinary atrophy and other signs of aging. Menopausal hormonal changes, regardless of the way of menopause developing, increase the risk for hyperlipoproteinemia. The frequency of somatic signs in early post menopause is typically higher after induced menopause. More intensive follow-up in patients after surgical removing of the ovaria is necessary in order to improve the quality of life in these patients.