Menopause Rating Scale Score Research Articles

Endocan as a predictor of increased cardiovascular risk during the menopausal transition period.

Our aim was to investigate the serum endocan levels and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurements of pre- and postmenopausal patients to clarify the relationship between the menopausal transition and endothelial injury. This cross-sectional study was conducted on women who were premenopausal and postmenopausal between January 2019 and June 2019. The patients were divided into two groups according to premenopausal (n = 32) and postmenopausal (n = 32) status. Serum endocan levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CIMT ultrasonographic measurements were determined. Hormonal and biochemical parameters were measured. The validated Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) questionnaire was used on all women. Serum endocan levels were significantly higher in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group (222.90 ± 121.00ng/L and 146.62 ± 41.88ng/L, p = 0.033, respectively). The mean CIMT was significantly higher in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal cohort (0.70 ± 0.14mm and 0.58 ± 0.11mm, p < 0.001, respectively). A positive correlation was found between body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), abdominal circumference (AC), and CIMT and postmenopausal serum endocan levels. Serum endocan levels with a cutoff point of 141.14ng/L identified women with significant CIMT levels with sensitivity of 73.8% and specificity of 77.3%. A positive correlation was found between CIMT and endocan and total MRS scores. Serum endocan levels were associated with CIMT during the menopausal transition period. Increased circulating endocan levels can be a predictor of cardiovascular risk in pre- and postmenopausal women.

Psychosocial Correlates of Menopausal Symptoms among Women in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background: The increasing rate of social involvement among African women has made menopause of high concern today. The aim of this study was to identify some psychosocial factors that determine how severely women in Ilorin, Nigeria perceive menopausal symptoms.&#x0D; Method: Women who attained menopause naturally between 40-60 years of age were interviewed using structured questionnaires to obtain certain demographic and psychosocial information following informed consent. Perception ofmenopausal symptoms was assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). The psychosocial parameters were then correlated with MRS scores.Data were analysed using SPSS software version 22.Associations between categorical variables were tested using the chi-square (÷2), the student-t test was used for the continuous variables (p &lt;0.05) while linear regression was used to identify independent determinants.&#x0D; Results: Three hundred and eighty-five women aged 51.3±0.3 years on the average participated in the study, 331(86%) were Yoruba, 16 (4.2%) were Ibo, 3 (0.8%) Hausa and 35 (9%) were of other ethnic minorities. The total Menopause rating score was 14.02±0.44 out of a maximum score of 44 which indicated a generally mild perception. Joint pain((1.77±0.16) was however the most perceived symptom. There is a significant association between all the psychosocial parameters assessed and MRS scores (p &lt; 0.05). However societal support was the only independent determinant of menopause severity.&#x0D; Conclusion: Social support is by far the most important determinant of menopausal symptom severity in our study subjects. Effort to enhance social support in Nigeria will help the women cope better with menopausal symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.

Psychosocial Correlates of Menopausal Symptoms among Women in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background: The increasing rate of social involvement among African women has made menopause of high concern today. The aim of this study was to identify some psychosocial factors that determine how severely women in Ilorin, Nigeria perceive menopausal symptoms.&#x0D; Method: Women who attained menopause naturally between 40-60 years of age were interviewed using structured questionnaires to obtain certain demographic and psychosocial information following informed consent. Perception ofmenopausal symptoms was assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). The psychosocial parameters were then correlated with MRS scores.Data were analysed using SPSS software version 22. Associations between categorical variables were tested using the chi-square (÷2), the student-t test was used for the continuous variables (p &lt;0.05) while linear regression was used to identify independent determinants.&#x0D; Results: Three hundred and eighty-five women aged 51.3±0.3 years on the average participated in the study, 331(86%) were Yoruba, 16 (4.2%) were Ibo, 3 (0.8%) Hausa and 35 (9%) were of other ethnic minorities. The total Menopause rating score was 14.02±0.44 out of a maximum score of 44 which indicated a generally mild perception. Joint pain((1.77±0.16) was however the most perceived symptom. There is a significant association between all the psychosocial parameters assessed and MRS scores (p &lt; 0.05). However societal support was the only independent determinant of menopause severity.&#x0D; Conclusion: Social support is by far the most important determinant of menopausal symptom severity in our study subjects. Effort to enhance social support in Nigeria will help the women cope better with menopausal symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.

Association between dairy consumption and menopausal symptoms: A cross-sectional study among Iranian postmenopausal women

The association between dairy food consumption and menopausal symptoms was evaluated with a cross-sectional study conducted on 393 postmenopausal women. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake over a year; menopausal symptoms were measured using a menopause rating scale (MRS) questionnaire. The total MRS score was the sum of the somatic, psychological, and urogenital scores. After adjustment for age, years since menopause, education level, BMI, physical activity, energy intake, healthy eating index and fibre intake, higher total dairy intake was related to lower somatic (β −0.184; P-value <0.001), psychological (β −0.155; P-value 0.002) and total MRS (β −0.184; P-value <0.001) scores. In addition, higher intake of low-fat dairy was associated with lower somatic (β −0.175; P-value <0.001), psychological (β −0.181; P-value <0.001) and total MRS (β −0.189; P-value <0.001) scores. Regular consumption of low fat dairy may be beneficial in improving somatic and psychological symptoms of menopause.

ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT FOILICULUM VULGARE SEEDS ON THE MENOPAUSAL SCORE RATING SCALE ON MENOPAUSE WOMEN IN DISTRICT LANGSA - INDONESIA

Introduction:Menopause can cause physical and psychological problems. Menopause is often accompanied by anxiety, irritability, tension, and anxiety. one plant that is thought to reduce Menopausal in menopausal women is fennel seeds. Fennel is a plant that contains phytoestrogens. Purpose: This study was to analyze the effect of steeping fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare) on discomfort in menopausal women in Langsa District. Method: The study design used a quasi-experimental design with the pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group Design approach. This research was conducted in the working area of the Langsa District Health Center from September to December 2019 with the population being all menopausal women who met the inclusion criteria. The sample of the control and treatment group in this study was selected by purposive sampling of 32 people. Data analysis was performed using a data normality test, the Shapiro-Wilk test, a variety homogeneity test with the Levene test, and a paired T-test to see a comparison of MRS scores. Result: This study has found a significant effect due to the provision of fennel in menopausal women on decreasing the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) score with a p-value of 0.004. There was a decrease in the average MRS score in the group of respondents who consumed fennel at the pretest was 11.81 and dropped at the post-test to 10.19 with an average difference of 1,625. Descriptive there are differences in the average MRS score at the time of the pretest compared with the posttest. Conclusion: There is a difference in the average Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) score at the pretest and posttest in the control and treatment groups. Fennel is able to reduce the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS) score in menopausal women.

Impaired Quality of Life and Its Determinants among Postmenopausal Women of Slum Communities in Bhubaneswar, India.

Background:The severity of menopausal symptoms negatively impacts a woman's quality of life (QoL).Objective:The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of menopause-related impaired QoL and determine its associated factors among postmenopausal women living in slum areas of Bhubaneswar, India.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted among 198 postmenopausal women aged 45–65 years during the year 2016–2017. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms.Results:Joint and muscular discomfort was the most prevalent moderate-to-severe symptom (90.4%), followed by hot flushes (72.8%), irritability (67.2%), and physical and mental exhaustion (64.2%). More than two-third (133, 67.2%) of women had impaired QoL (severe total MRS score ≥17). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that impaired QoL was associated younger age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.12–9.98), tobacco consumption (AOR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.05–3.82), not being satisfied in relation with husband (AOR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.84–6.06), not having autonomy in health-care decision-making in the family (AOR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.12–4.73), history of reproductive tract infection (AOR: 4.57, 95% CI: 1.71–12.19), and earlier onset of menopause (AOR: 3.26, 95% CI: 1.18–8.96).Conclusion:The point prevalence of menopause-related impaired QOL in postmenopausal women living in slums of Bhubaneswar was high. Incorporating these determinants in the existing strategies can be useful to improve the QoL of these women.

Türkiye'de Sağlığı Geliştirme Eğitim ve Danışmanlık Programının kadınlarda menopozal belirtilerin azaltılmasına yönelik etkisi

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of health-promoting lifestyle education given to menopausal women in accordance with Pender’s Health Promoting Model (HPM) on reducing the menopausal symptoms.Materials and Methods: This study is a semi-experimental research with pre-test and post-test control groups. In the first stage of the study, Socio-demographic Information Form (SIF) and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) were applied to 401 menopausal women to determine the severity of their menopausal symptoms. In the second phase of the study, women with intense menopausal symptoms were randomly divided into two groups. 32 menopausal women in initiative group and 32 menopausal women were in the control group. One group, the experimental group, received Health-Promoting Lifestyle Education (HPLE), while the other group was the control group. Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II), and Self-Efficacy Scale (SES) were applied as pretests in both groups. Health-promoting lifestyle education was given to the experimental group twice with a one-week break between the sessions and the sessions were completed in four weeks.Results: Statistically significant decreases were found in the total MRS scores and subdimension scores of the menopausal women in experimental group after the education.Conclusion: Health-promoting lifestyle education was found to be effective in reducing the severity of menopausal symptoms.

Analysis of the long-term beneficial effects of menopausal hormone therapy on sleep quality and menopausal symptoms.

A large number of menopausal women report sleep disturbances along with psychological, somatic and urogenital menopausal symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) in improving subjective sleep quality and the severity of menopausal symptoms. An institutional ethics committee approved this retrospective chart review of 342 women treated with MHT for menopausal symptoms. Standard 28-day MHT consisted of the oral administration of 2 mg estradiol daily for 14 days, followed by 2 mg estradiol and 10 mg dydrogesterone daily for the remaining 14 days. A subgroup of 14 participants with a family history of cancer and mammography scores of 3 and above, received only tibolone 2.5 mg daily. Perceived sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), while the assessment of menopausal symptoms was performed using the Kupperman Menopause Index (KMI) and menopause rating scale (MRS). Of the 342 patients, 79 were followed-up for 3 years. Compared to the baseline scores, the mean decrease in PSQI scores was 1.53±0.29 points (P<0.0001) at 1 month, 2.21±0.187 points (P<0.0001) at 2 months and 2.26±0.6 points (P<0.0001) after 3 years of MHT. The KMI scores also decreased by a mean of 6.37±1.59 points (P<0.0001) at 1 month and by 8.73±1.92 points after 3 years (P<0.0001). The MRS scores decreased by a mean of 3.56±1.05 points (P<0.0001) at 1 month and by 4.28±2.01 points (P<0.0001) after 3 years, as compared to the baseline scores. Patients receiving tibolone MHT did not report any improvement in sleep quality (P=0.956). On the whole, the findings of this study indicate that conventional MHT has a rapid and prolonged beneficial effect on self-reported sleep quality and menopausal symptoms in women. However, further clinical studies are warranted to compare the effects of different MHT regimens.

Association between menopausal symptoms and relationship distress

ObjectiveTo determine the association between relationship distress and menopausal symptoms. Study designA retrospective analysis was conducted of questionnaires completed by women 40–65 years of age seeking menopause or sexual health consultation between May, 2015 and May, 2017. Main outcome measuresAssociations between menopausal symptoms assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and relationship distress measured on the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS) were evaluated with two-sample t-tests. Linear regression was used to assess associations after adjusting for potential confounders. ResultsThe sample of 1884 women averaged 53 years of age (SD = 6.1); most were white (95%), employed (66%), married (90%), and well-educated (≥ college graduate, 64%). Women reporting no relationship distress (KMSS ≥ 17) had less severe menopausal symptoms overall compared with women reporting relationship distress (total MRS score 13.1 vs 16.0, P < 0.001), with similar findings in each MRS domain. In multivariable analyses, this relationship persisted for total MRS scores and for psychological symptoms among women with no relationship distress, who scored an estimated 1.15 points (95% CI 0.52–1.78) lower on the total MRS and 0.82 points (95% CI 0.53–1.10) lower in the psychological symptom. ConclusionsThe absence of relationship distress was associated with less severe menopausal symptoms, particularly in the psychological domain, in women presenting to a women’s health clinic. Given the cross = sectional design, the direction of the relationship is unknown.

High Physical Activity Level May Reduce Menopausal Symptoms.

Background and Objectives: Menopause is a normal physiological change occurring at a woman’s mid-life. During this time, women experience vasomotor, physical and physiological problems, which reduce their quality of life. Many women are searching for different, alternative methods to reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms. Physical activity (PA) is one of the recommended methods to reduce menopausal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between specific domains (physical activity during leisure time, at work, during transportation and household activities) and the menopausal symptoms. Materials and Methods: We included 305 women aged 40–65 in the study. All participants were divided into three groups according to menopausal status. The research tools used were the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to assess physical activity level in four domains and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) to assess the severity of menopausal symptoms. The data analysis was performed by Chi-square test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Tuckey test. Results: Menopausal stage was significantly associated with the total MRS score (p < 0.001) and specifically the urogenital and somato–vegetative subscores (p < 0.001). Physical activity was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with leisure time (according to IPAQ domains). Most postmenopausal women had high PA level (59.66%). Significantly less women with high PA levels had severe urogenital symptoms: 10.82% of participant with a low PA level, 11.15% with a moderate PA level and 4.26% with a high PA level (p = 0.046). Conclusions: Physical activity during leisure time is associated to menopausal symptoms in Polish women. Women with high and moderate PA levels have less severe menopausal symptoms compared to inactive women. Middle-aged women with low PA levels at work suffer from more severe somato–vegetative symptoms.

Menopausal symptoms and related factors among Cambodian women

ABSTRACTThis study analyzed the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and associated factors among Cambodian women. A cross-sectional study was performed with 200 women aged 40–60 years in three provinces and one urban area in Cambodia from July 2017 to August 2017. Three symptom categories: somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms (totaling 11 symptoms) related to menopause were assessed using the Khmer version of Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Over one-fifth (21.5%) of the participants were premenopausal; 22.5% were perimenopausal, and 56% were postmenopausal. Somatic and psychological symptoms occurred more frequently than urogenital symptoms in all three statuses. The three most prevalent symptoms for all women were physical and mental exhaustion (88.1%), irritability (85.9%), and sleep problems (82.5%). The average MRS score was 12.22 ± 5.37 (range 0–44). Postmenopausal women had significantly higher rates of menopausal symptoms than pre- and perimenopausal women. Increased severity of menopausal symptoms was associated with less personal income (≤100 US$), higher parity (>4 children), abortion(s), use of calcium supplements, and history of heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of menopausal symptoms among Cambodian women in Cambodia. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to deal with independent factors associated with these symptoms.

Association of mindfulness and stress with menopausal symptoms in midlife women

Purpose: Midlife women frequently experience stress and menopausal symptoms. Mindfulness is thought to mitigate stress by avoiding emotional reactivity and ruminative thinking. We sought to assess the association of mindfulness and stress on menopausal symptoms among midlife women.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, women aged 40–65 years completed questionnaires, including the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), the Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4), and the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Linear regression was used to assess the impact of mindfulness and stress on menopausal symptoms with use of univariate and multivariable analyses, adjusting for patient characteristics.Results: In this cohort of 1744 midlife women, higher mindfulness (MAAS) and lower stress (PSS-4) scores correlated independently with lower menopausal symptom (MRS) scores. On multivariable analysis, a significant interaction effect was observed between the MAAS and PSS-4 on the MRS, such that with higher PSS-4 scores, the magnitude of association between the MAAS and lower MRS scores was larger.Conclusion: Among midlife women, higher mindfulness and lower stress correlated with lower menopausal symptom scores independently. Among women experiencing more stress, the magnitude of association between mindfulness and lower menopausal symptom scores was greater, largely driven by psychological subdomain scores. Mindfulness may mitigate menopausal symptoms among midlife women.

Association of vasomotor symptoms and sleep apnea risk in midlife women.

The aim of the study was to determine the association between self-reported vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk. The STOP-BANG to evaluate OSA and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) were administered to 2,935 women seen in the Women's Health Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, between May 2015 and December 2016. Of these, 1,691 women were included in the analysis. Total MRS and VMS ratings were compared using logistic regression, with age, smoking, and body mass index (BMI) included as covariates between women at intermediate/high risk versus low risk for OSA. Total MRS scores were significantly higher in women with intermediate/high-risk OSA scores versus those with low-risk scores [mean (SD): 16.8 (8.0) vs 12.9 (7.0), P < 0.001]. Women at intermediate/high OSA risk were older, had more education, self-reported hypertension, BMI >35 kg/m, and were less likely to be married or employed. Self-reported severe/very severe VMS were significantly associated with intermediate/high risk versus low risk for OSA (26.6% vs 15.0%; P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, BMI, smoking status, and self-reported hypertension, the odds of having intermediate/high risk for OSA were 1.87 times higher for those with severe/very severe VMS compared with those with none/mild/moderate VMS (95% CI, 1.29-2.71, P < 0.001). This association persisted upon subgroup analysis based on BMI <25 kg/m (odds ratio 2.15; 95% CI, 1.12-4.16, P = 0.022). Self-reported severe/very severe VMS were associated with intermediate/high risk for OSA in midlife women, even in women with BMI <25 kg/m. Given the limitations of the STOP-BANG tool, OSA risk may, however, have been overestimated.

Decision-making for the treatment of climacteric symptoms using the Menopause Rating Scale

ObjectiveThe Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) is one of the most frequently used instruments to evaluate menopausal symptoms; however, no cut-off score is given that would indicate the need for treatment. Our goal was to determine such a cut-off score on the MRS, using as a standard a woman’s own perception of her need for treatment in relation to the severity of her symptoms. Material and methodsThe sample comprised 427 healthy women aged 40–59 years who were not taking hormonal treatment. Based on the concept of quality of life, we considered that the patient required treatment if she herself believed that she required it, on the basis of the severity of at least one of her menopausal symptoms. To obtain an optimal MRS cut-off score associated with the need for treatment, an ROC curve analysis was performed. ResultsThe symptoms rated “very severe” on the MRS (i.e. that most require treatment) were physical and mental exhaustion (95.8% of women) and muscle and joint discomfort (95.1%). In total, 378 women (88.5%) considered that their symptoms required treatment. The ROC curve analysis determined that the optimal cut-off score on the MRS to indicate the need for treatment would be 14 (area under the curve 0.86, p < 0.0001). This score achieved 76.5% sensitivity and 83.6% specificity. With this cut-off score, 97.1% of the women who considered that they required treatment for at least one of their symptoms would be treated. There was concordance of more than 90% between this cut-off score and a score of 4 (i.e. a rating of “very severe”) for any of the symptoms on the scale. ConclusionsAn MRS score ≥14 indicates the need for treatment for climacteric symptoms. In clinical practice, a score of 4 for any of the MRS items could be taken to indicate the need for treatment.

The correlation between menopausal complaints and personality traits.

Aim is to investigate the correlation between personality traits of menopausal women and their menopausal complaints. This cross-sectional and correlation study was conducted with 400 menopausal Turkish women. A positive correlation was determined between extroversion/introversion scores of Cervantes Personality Scale (CPS) and somatic and urogenital subscale scores of Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and between emotional instability/neuroticism scores of CPS and all subscale scores of MRS. Considering the effect of personality traits on menopausal symptoms, affected groups can be identified in advance and menopausal complaints can be reduced by increasing support.

The relationship between menopausal symptoms and sexual function

ABSTRACTSexual function could be affected by several factors in postmenopausal women. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between the severity of menopausal symptoms and sexual function. The study was conducted among 405 postmenopausal women aged 40–65 years, in Chalous and Noshahr, Iran, from October 2013 to May 2014. The participants were selected using a multistage sampling method. The instruments used for data collection were the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and a demographics questionnaire. The relationship between the severity of menopausal symptoms and sexual function was examined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear and logistic regressions. The mean unadjusted FSFI and MRS scores were 24.11 and 12.45, respectively; and 61.0 percent of the participants had female sexual dysfunction (FSD) (FSFI ≤26.55). A significant negative correlation was observed between the MRS scores (total and all subscales) and the total scores for FSFI (p < 0.001). The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that with every unit increase in the total score of MRS, the likelihood of sexual dysfunction was 9.6 percent greater. We conclude that menopausal symptoms need to be considered in the design of health initiatives aimed at postmenopausal women’s sexual function.

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.

Acupuncture May Improve Quality of Life in Menopausal Women: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: This analysis aims to identify, on the basis of the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), whether acupuncture therapy can alleviate menopausal symptoms and promote health-related quality of life. Methods: We included RCTs that directly compared any type of acupuncture with sham acupuncture in treating menopause-related symptoms and which were published from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2016 in 6 electronic databases. Two authors performed this work independently; ‘risk-of-bias' assessment and data extraction were also independently performed by these 2 review authors. The outcomes are presented as scores of the menopause rating scale (MRS), which represents the self-assessment of patients. Results: Six studies were included. Our analysis found that acupuncture can reduce the MRS score in menopausal women by the end of the treating period (2-3 months, on average) and even in the follow-up period (1-3 months), not only in the total score but also in each subscale score. But the grade of evidence is very low. Conclusions: Both the total score and the subgroup analysis strongly indicated that acupuncture can alleviate menopause-related symptoms. However, the evidence is not very strong. Thus, further studies about the efficiency of acupuncture on menopausal symptoms based on well-designed trials are needed.

Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Preliminary data suggest that Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) can be an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. This trial was designed to assess the efficacy of fennel in the management of menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. In this triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 90 postmenopausal women aged 45 to 60 years in Tehran were randomly assigned to treatment (n = 45) or placebo (n = 45) groups. The participants received 8 weeks of treatment with soft capsules containing 100 mg fennel or a placebo (2 per day for each group). The participants were followed for 2 weeks postintervention to assess the continuance of the effect of intervention. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) questionnaire was used to assess changes in menopausal symptoms at baseline and at 4, 8, and 10 weeks after onset of intervention. The groups recorded similar mean scores on the MRS questionnaire before intervention. After intervention, the treatment group showed a significant decrease in the mean MRS score. The results of the Friedman test showed significant differences between the mean score at baseline and those at 4, 8, and 10 weeks after onset of intervention in the treatment group (P < 0.001), whereas there were no significant differences in the placebo group. When the fennel and the placebo groups were compared, the independent t test showed significant differences in mean scores between groups at 4, 8, and 10 weeks (2 weeks postintervention; P < 0.001). Fennel is an effective and safe treatment to reduce menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women without serious side effects. More clinical trials with larger populations are required to confirm this result.

Does obesity increase the risk of hot flashes among midlife women?: a population-based study.

To evaluate the association between vasomotor symptoms and obesity in climacteric women. We conducted a cross-sectional population-based study of 749 women aged 45 to 60 years. The dependent variable was intensity of menopausal symptoms evaluated by the menopause rating scale questionnaire. Independent variables were sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and obesity evaluated by body mass index. There was no significant difference in the majority of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics between the body mass index groups. Obese women had less physical activity (P = 0.019) and a higher prevalence of hypertension (P < 0.001), diabetes (P = 0.002), urinary incontinence (P < 0.001), and urge incontinence (P = 0.0006). The total mean menopause rating scale score was 9.7. Scores for hot flashes increased progressively and were higher for participants with body mass index greater than 30 kg/m (P = 0.027). Joint and muscle pain scores also increased with increased body mass index (P < 0.001). Regarding urogenital symptoms, there was a significant difference in urinary problems only, which were more intense in obese women (body mass index >30 kg/m) (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in any psychological symptoms on the menopause rating scale. Factors associated with hot flash scores were higher body mass index, presence of urinary urgency, and vaginal dryness. We found that menopausal symptoms, including vasomotor, joint, and urinary symptoms, were related to obesity. Hot flashes were associated with higher body mass index, urinary urgency, and vaginal dryness. Understanding this relationship may contribute to the development of healthcare strategies aimed at minimizing the impact of obesity on several health issues of climacteric women.