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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2017BACKGROUND: Hormone therapy (HT) is widely provided for control of menopausal symptoms and has been used for the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND: Hormone therapy (HT) is widely provided for control of menopausal symptoms and has been used for the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and dementia in older women. This is an updated version of a Cochrane review first published in 2005. OBJECTIVES: To assess effects of long-term HT (at least 1 year's duration) on mortality, cardiovascular outcomes, cancer, gallbladder disease, fracture and cognition in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women during and after cessation of treatment. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the following databases to September 2016: Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO. We searched the registers of ongoing trials and reference lists provided in previous studies and systematic reviews. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised double-blinded studies of HT versus placebo, taken for at least 1 year by perimenopausal or postmenopausal women. HT included oestrogens, with or without progestogens, via the oral, transdermal, subcutaneous or intranasal route. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous data and mean differences (MDs) for continuous data, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed the quality of the evidence by using GRADE methods. MAIN RESULTS: We included 22 studies involving 43,637 women. We derived nearly 70% of the data from two well-conducted studies (HERS 1998; WHI 1998). Most participants were postmenopausal American women with at least some degree of comorbidity, and mean participant age in most studies was over 60 years. None of the studies focused on perimenopausal women.In relatively healthy postmenopausal women (i.e. generally fit, without overt disease), combined continuous HT increased the risk of a coronary event (after 1 year's use: from 2 per 1000 to between 3 and 7 per 1000), venous thromboembolism (after 1 year's use: from 2 per 1000 to between 4 and 11 per 1000), stroke (after 3 years' use: from 6 per 1000 to between 6 and 12 per 1000), breast cancer (after 5.6 years' use: from 19 per 1000 to between 20 and 30 per 1000), gallbladder disease (after 5.6 years' use: from 27 per 1000 to between 38 and 60 per 1000) and death from lung cancer (after 5.6 years' use plus 2.4 years' additional follow-up: from 5 per 1000 to between 6 and 13 per 1000).Oestrogen-only HT increased the risk of venous thromboembolism (after 1 to 2 years' use: from 2 per 1000 to 2 to 10 per 1000; after 7 years' use: from 16 per 1000 to 16 to 28 per 1000), stroke (after 7 years' use: from 24 per 1000 to between 25 and 40 per 1000) and gallbladder disease (after 7 years' use: from 27 per 1000 to between 38 and 60 per 1000) but reduced the risk of breast cancer (after 7 years' use: from 25 per 1000 to between 15 and 25 per 1000) and clinical fracture (after 7 years' use: from 141 per 1000 to between 92 and 113 per 1000) and did not increase the risk of coronary events at any follow-up time.Women over 65 years of age who were relatively healthy and taking continuous combined HT showed an increase in the incidence of dementia (after 4 years' use: from 9 per 1000 to 11 to 30 per 1000). Among women with cardiovascular disease, use of combined continuous HT significantly increased the risk of venous thromboembolism (at 1 year's use: from 3 per 1000 to between 3 and 29 per 1000). Women taking HT had a significantly decreased incidence of fracture with long-term use.Risk of fracture was the only outcome for which strong evidence showed clinical benefit derived from HT (after 5.6 years' use of combined HT: from 111 per 1000 to between 79 and 96 per 1000; after 7.1 years' use of oestrogen-only HT: from 141 per 1000 to between 92 and 113 per 1000). Researchers found no strong evidence that HT has a clinically meaningful impact on the incidence of colorectal cancer.One trial analysed subgroups of 2839 relatively healthy women 50 to 59 years of age who were taking combined continuous HT and 1637 who were taking oestrogen-only HT versus similar-sized placebo groups. The only significantly increased risk reported was for venous thromboembolism in women taking combined continuous HT: Their absolute risk remained low, at less than 1/500. However, other differences in risk cannot be excluded, as this study was not designed to have the power to detect differences between groups of women within 10 years of menopause.For most studies, risk of bias was low in most domains. The overall quality of evidence for the main comparisons was moderate. The main limitation in the quality of evidence was that only about 30% of women were 50 to 59 years old at baseline, which is the age at which women are most likely to consider HT for vasomotor symptoms. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Women with intolerable menopausal symptoms may wish to weigh the benefits of symptom relief against the small absolute risk of harm arising from short-term use of low-dose HT, provided they do not have specific contraindications. HT may be unsuitable for some women, including those at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, increased risk of thromboembolic disease (such as those with obesity or a history of venous thrombosis) or increased risk of some types of cancer (such as breast cancer, in women with a uterus). The risk of endometrial cancer among women with a uterus taking oestrogen-only HT is well documented.HT is not indicated for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia, nor for prevention of deterioration of cognitive function in postmenopausal women. Although HT is considered effective for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, it is generally recommended as an option only for women at significant risk for whom non-oestrogen therapies are unsuitable. Data are insufficient for assessment of the risk of long-term HT use in perimenopausal women and in postmenopausal women younger than 50 years of age.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cause of Death; Estrogen Replacement Therapy; Estrogens; Female; Hot Flashes; Humans; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Perimenopause; Postmenopause; Progesterone; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Venous Thromboembolism
PubMed: 28093732
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004143.pub5 -
Disease Markers 2022To systematically evaluate the differences in intestinal flora before and after menopause. To provide a possible mechanism for perimenopausal syndrome and provide a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To systematically evaluate the differences in intestinal flora before and after menopause. To provide a possible mechanism for perimenopausal syndrome and provide a basis for probiotics as adjuvant therapy.
METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched. The included studies were case-control studies.
RESULTS
Three case-control studies were included, with a total of 156 people. At the phylum level, there were no differences between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. At the genus level, the relative abundances of A. odoratum and B. cholerae were higher in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women, with no differences among other genera. The Shannon diversity index increased after menopause, but no differences were found. Only one study found a positive association of estradiol with Gammaproteobacteria and Myxococcales and a negative association with Prevotellaceae.
CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of previous studies, it was found that there was no significant difference at the phylum level between postmenopausal women and premenopausal women, but Odoribacter and Bilophila increased at the genus level in postmenopausal women. The class of Gammaproteobacteria may be positively correlated with estradiol. Limited by the number of included studies, more high-quality clinical studies are needed for validation.
Topics: Estradiol; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Menopause; Postmenopause; Premenopause
PubMed: 35923245
DOI: 10.1155/2022/3767373 -
Current Cardiology Reviews 2021Menopause is associated with changes consistent with cardiovascular aging. The effects of cardiac disease are multifaceted, affecting endothelial function, coronary...
Menopause is associated with changes consistent with cardiovascular aging. The effects of cardiac disease are multifaceted, affecting endothelial function, coronary artery physiology and metabolic dysfunction leading to structural changes in the coronary anatomy. A systematic review of literature from 1986 to 2019 was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. The search was directed to retrieve papers that addressed the changes in cardiovascular physiology in menopause and the current therapies available to treat cardiovascular manifestations of menopause. The metabolic and clinical factors secondary to menopause, such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, fat redistribution and systemic hypertension, contribute to the accelerated risk for cardiovascular aging and disease. Atherosclerosis appears to be the end result of the interaction between cardiovascular risk factors and their accentuation during the perimenopausal period. Additionally, complex interactions between oxidative stress and levels of L-arginine and ADMA may also influence endothelial dysfunction in menopause. The increased cardiovascular risk in menopause stems from the exaggerated effects of changing physiology on the cardiovascular system affecting peripheral, cardiac and cerebrovascular beds. The differential effects of menopause on cardiovascular disease at the subclinical, biochemical and molecular levels form the highlights of this review.
Topics: Aging; Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; Heart; Humans; Hypertension; Menopause; Risk Factors
PubMed: 33155924
DOI: 10.2174/1573403X16666201106141811 -
Human Reproduction Update May 2023The early onset of menopause is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. As a woman's circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)...
BACKGROUND
The early onset of menopause is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. As a woman's circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration reflects the number of follicles remaining in the ovary and declines towards the menopause, serum AMH may be of value in the early diagnosis and prediction of age at menopause.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
This systematic review was undertaken to determine whether there is evidence to support the use of AMH alone, or in conjunction with other markers, to diagnose menopause, to predict menopause, or to predict and/or diagnose premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).
SEARCH METHODS
A systematic literature search for publications reporting on AMH in relation to menopause or POI was conducted in PubMed®, Embase®, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 31 May 2022. Data were extracted and synthesized using the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis for diagnosis of menopause, prediction of menopause, prediction of menopause with a single/repeat measurement of AMH, validation of prediction models, short-term prediction in perimenopausal women, and diagnosis and prediction of POI. Risk-of-bias was evaluated using the Tool to Assess Risk of Bias in Cohort Studies protocol and studies at high risk of bias were excluded.
OUTCOMES
A total of 3207 studies were identified, and 41, including 28 858 women, were deemed relevant and included. Of the three studies that assessed AMH for the diagnosis of menopause, one showed that undetectable AMH had equivalent diagnostic accuracy to elevated FSH (>22.3 mIU/ml). No study assessed whether AMH could be used to shorten the 12 months of amenorrhoea required for a formal diagnosis of menopause. Studies assessing AMH with the onset of menopause (27 publications [n = 23 835 women]) generally indicated that lower age-specific AMH concentrations are associated with an earlier age at menopause. However, AMH alone could not be used to predict age at menopause with precision (with estimates and CIs ranging from 2 to 12 years for women aged <40 years). The predictive value of AMH increased with age, as the interval of prediction (time to menopause) shortened. There was evidence that undetectable, or extremely low AMH, may aid early diagnosis of POI in young women with a family history of POI, and women presenting with primary or secondary amenorrhoea (11 studies [n = 4537]).
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
The findings of this systematic review support the use of serum AMH to study the age of menopause in population studies. The increased sensitivity of current AMH assays provides improved accuracy for the prediction of imminent menopause, but diagnostic use for individual patients has not been rigorously examined. Prediction of age at menopause remains imprecise when it is not imminent, although the finding of very low AMH values in young women is both of clinical value in indicating an increased risk of developing POI and may facilitate timely diagnosis.
Topics: Female; Humans; Anti-Mullerian Hormone; Amenorrhea; Menopause; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
PubMed: 36651193
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac045 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2016Tibolone is a synthetic steroid used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, on the basis of short-term data suggesting its efficacy. We considered the balance between... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Tibolone is a synthetic steroid used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, on the basis of short-term data suggesting its efficacy. We considered the balance between the benefits and risks of tibolone.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of tibolone for treatment of postmenopausal and perimenopausal women.
SEARCH METHODS
In October 2015, we searched the Gynaecology and Fertility Group (CGF) Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO (from inception), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and clinicaltrials.gov. We checked the reference lists in articles retrieved.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing tibolone versus placebo, oestrogens and/or combined hormone therapy (HT) in postmenopausal and perimenopausal women.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures of The Cochrane Collaboration. Primary outcomes were vasomotor symptoms, unscheduled vaginal bleeding and long-term adverse events. We evaluated safety outcomes and bleeding in studies including women either with or without menopausal symptoms.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 46 RCTs (19,976 women). Most RCTs evaluated tibolone for treating menopausal vasomotor symptoms. Some had other objectives, such as assessment of bleeding patterns, endometrial safety, bone health, sexuality and safety in women with a history of breast cancer. Two included women with uterine leiomyoma or lupus erythematosus. Tibolone versus placebo Vasomotor symptomsTibolone was more effective than placebo (standard mean difference (SMD) -0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.10 to -0.89; seven RCTs; 1657 women; moderate-quality evidence), but removing trials at high risk of attrition bias attenuated this effect (SMD -0.61, 95% CI -0.73 to -0.49; odds ratio (OR) 0.33, 85% CI 0.27 to 0.41). This suggests that if 67% of women taking placebo experience vasomotor symptoms, between 35% and 45% of women taking tibolone will do so. Unscheduled bleedingTibolone was associated with greater likelihood of bleeding (OR 2.79, 95% CI 2.10 to 3.70; nine RCTs; 7814 women; I = 43%; moderate-quality evidence). This suggests that if 18% of women taking placebo experience unscheduled bleeding, between 31% and 44% of women taking tibolone will do so. Long-term adverse eventsMost of the studies reporting these outcomes provided follow-up of two to three years (range three months to three years). Breast cancerWe found no evidence of differences between groups among women with no history of breast cancer (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.25; four RCTs; 5500 women; I= 17%; very low-quality evidence). Among women with a history of breast cancer, tibolone was associated with increased risk (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.85; two RCTs; 3165 women; moderate-quality evidence). Cerebrovascular eventsWe found no conclusive evidence of differences between groups in cerebrovascular events (OR 1.74, 95% CI 0.99 to 3.04; four RCTs; 7930 women; I = 0%; very low-quality evidence). We obtained most data from a single RCT (n = 4506) of osteoporotic women aged 60 to 85 years, which was stopped prematurely for increased risk of stroke. Other outcomesEvidence on other outcomes was of low or very low quality, with no clear evidence of any differences between the groups. Effect estimates were as follows:• Endometrial cancer: OR 2.04, 95% CI 0.79 to 5.24; nine RCTs; 8504 women; I = 0%.• Cardiovascular events: OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.84 to 2.27; four RCTs; 8401 women; I = 0%.• Venous thromboembolic events: OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.97; 9176 women; I = 0%.• Mortality from any cause: OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.41; four RCTs; 8242 women; I = 0%. Tibolone versus combined HT Vasomotor symptomsCombined HT was more effective than tibolone (SMD 0.17, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.28; OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.66; nine studies; 1336 women; moderate-quality evidence). This result was robust to a sensitivity analysis that excluded trials with high risk of attrition bias, suggesting a slightly greater disadvantage of tibolone (SMD 0.25, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.41; OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.10). This suggests that if 7% of women taking combined HT experience vasomotor symptoms, between 8% and 14% of women taking tibolone will do so. Unscheduled bleedingTibolone was associated with a lower rate of bleeding (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.41; 16 RCTs; 6438 women; I = 72%; moderate-quality evidence). This suggests that if 47% of women taking combined HT experience unscheduled bleeding, between 18% and 27% of women taking tibolone will do so. Long-term adverse eventsMost studies reporting these outcomes provided follow-up of two to three years (range three months to three years). Evidence was of very low quality, with no clear evidence of any differences between the groups. Effect estimates were as follows:• Endometrial cancer: OR 1.47, 95% CI 0.23 to 9.33; five RCTs; 3689 women; I = 0%.• Breast cancer: OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.78 to 3.67; five RCTs; 4835 women; I = 0%.• Venous thromboembolic events: OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.09 to 2.14; four RCTs; 4529 women; I = 0%.• Cardiovascular events: OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.66; two RCTs; 3794 women; I = 0%.• Cerebrovascular events: OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.16 to 3.66; four RCTs; 4562 women; I = 0%.• Mortality from any cause: only one event reported (two RCTs; 970 women).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Moderate-quality evidence suggests that tibolone is more effective than placebo but less effective than HT in reducing menopausal vasomotor symptoms, and that tibolone is associated with a higher rate of unscheduled bleeding than placebo but with a lower rate than HT.Compared with placebo, tibolone increases recurrent breast cancer rates in women with a history of breast cancer, and may increase stroke rates in women over 60 years of age. No evidence indicates that tibolone increases the risk of other long-term adverse events, or that it differs from HT with respect to long-term safety.Much of the evidence was of low or very low quality. Limitations included high risk of bias and imprecision. Most studies were financed by drug manufacturers or failed to disclose their funding source.
Topics: Aged; Breast Neoplasms; Dyspareunia; Estrogen Receptor Modulators; Estrogen Replacement Therapy; Female; Hot Flashes; Humans; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Norpregnenes; Postmenopause; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stroke; Sweating; Uterine Hemorrhage
PubMed: 27733017
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008536.pub3 -
BMC Women's Health Jul 2023Menopause is the time that marks passing 12 months after the last menstruation cycle in women between ages 40-50. Menopausal women often experience depression and...
BACKGROUND
Menopause is the time that marks passing 12 months after the last menstruation cycle in women between ages 40-50. Menopausal women often experience depression and insomnia that significantly impact their overall well-being and quality of life. This systematic review aims to determine the effects of different therapeutic physiotherapy modalities on insomnia and depression in perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women.
METHODOLOGY
After identifying our inclusion/exclusion criteria, we conducted a database search in Ovid Embase, MIDRIS, PubMed, Cochrane, and ScienceOpen, where 4007 papers were identified. By using EndNote software, we excluded duplicates, unrelated, and non-full text papers. Adding more studies from manual search, we finally included 31 papers including 7 physiotherapy modalities: exercise, reflexology, footbath, walking, therapeutic and aromatherapy massage, craniofacial message, and yoga.
RESULTS
Reflexology, yoga, walking and aromatherapy massage showed an overall significant impact on decreasing insomnia and depression in menopausal women. Most of exercise and stretching interventions also showed improvement in sleep quality but inconsistent findings regarding depression. However, insufficient evidence was found regarding the effect of craniofacial massage, footbath, and acupressure on improving sleep quality and depression in menopausal women.
CONCLUSION
Using non-pharmaceutical interventions such as therapeutic and manual physiotherapy have an overall positive impact on reducing insomnia and depression in menopausal women.
Topics: Female; Humans; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Postmenopause; Perimenopause; Depression; Quality of Life; Menopause; Physical Therapy Modalities
PubMed: 37422660
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02515-9 -
Climacteric : the Journal of the... Apr 2015To perform a meta-analysis examining the efficacy of phytoestrogens for the relief of menopausal symptoms. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To perform a meta-analysis examining the efficacy of phytoestrogens for the relief of menopausal symptoms.
METHODS
Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched until September 30, 2013 using the following key words: vasomotor symptoms, menopausal symptoms, phytoestrogens, isoflavones, coumestrol, soy, red clover. Inclusion criteria were (1) randomized controlled trial (RCT), (2) perimenopausal or postmenopausal women experiencing menopausal symptoms, (3) intervention with an oral phytoestrogen. Outcome measures included Kupperman index (KI) changes, daily hot flush frequency, and the likelihood of side-effects.
RESULTS
Of 543 potentially relevant studies identified, 15 RCTs meeting the inclusion criteria were included. The mean age of the subjects ranged from 49 to 58.3 and 48 to 60.1 years, respectively, in the placebo and phytoestrogen groups. The number of participants ranged from 30 to 252, and the intervention periods ranged from 3 to 12 months. Meta-analysis of the seven studies that reported KI data indicated no significant treatment effect of phytoestrogen as compared to placebo (pooled mean difference = 6.44, p = 0.110). Meta-analysis of the ten studies that reported hot flush data indicated that phytoestrogens result in a significantly greater reduction in hot flush frequency compared to placebo (pooled mean difference = 0.89, p < 0.005). Meta-analysis of the five studies that reported side-effect data showed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.175).
CONCLUSION
Phytoestrogens appear to reduce the frequency of hot flushes in menopausal women, without serious side-effects.
Topics: Female; Hot Flashes; Humans; Isoflavones; Menopause; Middle Aged; Phytoestrogens; Phytotherapy; Placebos; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25263312
DOI: 10.3109/13697137.2014.966241 -
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and... Jul 2014It is suggested that declines in estrogen around menopause are associated with declines in cognitive functioning as well as increased risk of depressive symptoms and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Observational Study Review
OBJECTIVE
It is suggested that declines in estrogen around menopause are associated with declines in cognitive functioning as well as increased risk of depressive symptoms and depressive disorders. Existing studies of objective cognitive function and mood have differed in the criteria used to stage the menopausal transition and in the outcome measures used. The purpose of this review was to synthesize the existing studies of the relationship between menopausal stage and neuropsychological performance and depression.
DESIGN
A search of the literature of observational studies was performed using PubMed. Four cross-sectional studies on menopausal transition stage and cognitive function and four longitudinal studies on menopausal transition stage and risk of depression, as measured by symptom inventories and structured clinical interviews, were selected. For the cognitive outcomes, fixed effects models were used to estimate overall standardized effect sizes. For the depression outcomes, the results of group comparisons were summarized using the log odds ratio and its estimated standard error.
RESULTS
Postmenopausal women performed significantly worse than pre- and perimenopausal women on delayed verbal memory tasks, and significantly worse than perimenopausal women on phonemic verbal fluency tasks. Peri- and postmenopausal women were at significantly increased risk of depression, as measured by standard symptom inventories and structured clinical interviews, than premenopausal women.
CONCLUSIONS
The menopausal transition is a time of increased vulnerability to cognitive declines and increased risk of depressive symptoms and depressive disorders. However, these results cannot necessarily be generalized beyond the studies included in this review. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Menopause'.
Topics: Cognition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Memory; Perimenopause; Premenopause
PubMed: 23770320
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.06.001 -
Menopause (New York, N.Y.) Jun 2023Distressing sexual problems are a common complaint of menopausal women. In 2013, a Cochrane review assessed the effect of hormone therapy on sexual function in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Distressing sexual problems are a common complaint of menopausal women. In 2013, a Cochrane review assessed the effect of hormone therapy on sexual function in menopausal women; however, new evidence has since been published, which should be considered.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to update the evidence synthesis on the effect of hormone therapy, compared with control, on sexual function in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
Thirteen databases and clinical trial registries (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciéncias da Saúde, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, ClinicalTrials.gov , International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ISRCTN) were searched from December 2012 to March 30, 2022. Backward reference searching on all retrieved full texts was also performed. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane ROB.2 tool. Data were pooled in random-effect model meta-analyses, which included all studies identified in the present search and all studies previously included in the 2013 Cochrane review.
FINDINGS
Forty-seven randomized controlled trials (35,912 participants) were included in the systematic review, and 34 randomized controlled trials (15,079 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that, in comparison to control, estrogen therapy (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02 to 0.29; I2 = 59%; 2,925 participants, 16 studies), estrogen plus progestogen therapy (SMD, 0.11; 95% CI, -0.07 to 0.29; I2 = 65%; 2,432 participants, 7 studies), tibolone (SMD, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.28; I2 = 0%; 916 participants, 2 studies), and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SMD, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.30; I2 = 0%; 1,058 participants, 4 studies) may result in no effect to small benefit on sexual function composite score.
CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE
Hormone therapy may slightly improve sexual functioning. This potential small benefit should be considered when discussing treatment options for other menopausal symptoms.
Topics: Female; Humans; Postmenopause; Perimenopause; Iran; Estrogens; Menopause
PubMed: 37159867
DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002185 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2014Since the time of publication of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, menopausal symptom management has become more complex because of increased awareness of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Since the time of publication of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, menopausal symptom management has become more complex because of increased awareness of the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Currently, a wide range of management options is available. Some women take prescription drugs, and others use self care strategies, including lifestyle modifications, over-the-counter preparations and complementary and alternative therapies, such as herbal preparations, exercise programmes and relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques consist of a group of behavioural interventions. They are considered relatively harmless, but their effectiveness in treating vasomotor symptoms and sleep disturbances remains debatable.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the effectiveness of relaxation techniques as treatment for vasomotor symptoms and associated sleep disturbances in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
SEARCH METHODS
Searches of the following electronic bibliographic databases were performed in February 2014 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs): the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group Specialised Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, PsycINFO, Social Science Citation Index and CINAHL. Handsearches of trial registers, relevant journals and published conference abstracts were also performed.
SELECTION CRITERIA
RCTs were included if they compared any type of relaxation intervention with no treatment or other treatments (except hormones) for vasomotor symptoms in symptomatic perimenopausal/postmenopausal women.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors selected studies, assessed quality and extracted data. Included studies were combined, if appropriate, by using a random-effects model to calculate pooled mean differences and 95% confidence intervals.
MAIN RESULTS
Four studies were eligible for inclusion (281 participants): Two studies compared relaxation with electroacupuncture or superficial needling, one study compared relaxation with paced respiration or placebo control (α-wave electroencephalographic biofeedback) and one study compared relaxation with no treatment.No evidence was found of a difference between relaxation and acupuncture or superficial needle insertion in the number of hot flushes per 24 hours (mean difference (MD) 0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.33 to 1.43, two studies, 72 participants, I(2) = 0%; very low-quality evidence). Nor did any evidence suggest a difference between the two interventions in hot flush severity, measured using the Kupperman Index (MD -1.32, 95% CI -5.06 to 2.43, two studies, 72 participants, I(2) = 0%; very low-quality evidence).The other two studies found no clear evidence of a difference in hot flush frequency between relaxation and paced respiration, placebo or no treatment. The data for these comparisons were unsuitable for analysis.None of these studies reported night sweats, sleep disturbances associated with night sweats or adverse effects as an outcome.The main limitations of identified evidence were lack of data, imprecision and failure to report study methods in adequate detail.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Evidence is insufficient to show the effectiveness of relaxation techniques as treatment for menopausal vasomotor symptoms, or to determine whether this treatment is more effective than no treatment, placebo, acupuncture, superficial needle insertion or paced respiration.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Electroacupuncture; Female; Hot Flashes; Humans; Middle Aged; Neurofeedback; Perimenopause; Postmenopause; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Relaxation Therapy
PubMed: 25039019
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008582.pub2