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International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2020During the menopausal period, sexual dysfunction is associated with the development or worsening of psychological conditions, causing deterioration in women's mental...
During the menopausal period, sexual dysfunction is associated with the development or worsening of psychological conditions, causing deterioration in women's mental health and quality of life. This systematic review aims to investigate the effects of different exercise programs on sexual function and quality of sexual life related to menopausal symptoms. With this purpose, a systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Plus. A total of 1787 articles were identified in the initial search and 11 prospective studies (including 8 randomized controlled trials) were finally included. The most commonly recommended training programs are based on exercising pelvic floor muscles, as they seem to have the largest impact on sexual function. Mind-body disciplines also helped in managing menopausal symptoms. However, as far as the most traditional programs were concerned, aerobic exercises showed inconsistent results and resistance training did not seem to convey any benefits. Although positive effects have been found, evidence supporting physical exercise as a strategy to improve sexual function and quality of sexual life related to menopausal symptoms is limited, and further studies on this topic are needed.
Topics: Aged; Exercise; Female; Humans; Menopause; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 32295114
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082680 -
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England) Sep 2023Are there associations between natural or surgical menopause and incident dementia by age at menopause?
STUDY QUESTION
Are there associations between natural or surgical menopause and incident dementia by age at menopause?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Compared to age at menopause of 46-50 years, earlier natural menopause (≤40 and 41-45 years) was related to higher risk of all-cause dementia, while a U-shape relationship was observed between age at surgical menopause and risk of dementia.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Menopause marks the end of female reproductive period. Age at menopause reflects the length of exposure to endogenous estrogen. Evidence on the association between age at natural, surgical menopause, and risk of dementia has been inconsistent.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
A population-based cohort study involving 160 080 women who participated in the UK Biobank study.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Women with no dementia at baseline, and had no missing data on key exposure variables and covariates were included. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs on the association of categorical menopause age with incident all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). Restricted cubic splines were used to model the non-linear relationship between continuous age at natural, surgical menopause, and risk of dementia. In addition, we analyzed the interaction effect of ever-used menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) at baseline, income level, leisure activities, and age at menopause on risk of dementia.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Compared to women with age at menopause of 46-50 years, women with earlier natural menopause younger than 40 years (1.36, 1.01-1.83) and 41-45 years (1.19, 1.03-1.39) had a higher risk of all-cause dementia, while late natural menopause >55 years was linked to lower risk of dementia (0.83, 0.71-0.98). Compared to natural menopause, surgical menopause was associated with 10% higher risk of dementia (1.10, 0.98-1.24). A U-shape relationship was observed between surgical menopause and risk of dementia. Women with surgical menopause before age 40 years (1.94, 1.38-2.73) and after age 55 years (1.65, 1.21-2.24) were both linked to increased risk of all-cause dementia. Women with early natural menopause without ever taking MHT at baseline had an increased risk of AD. Also, in each categorized age at the menopause level, higher income level or higher number of leisure activities was linked to a lowers risk of dementia.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
Menopausal age was based on women's self-report, which might cause recall bias.
WIDER IMPLICATION OF THE FINDINGS
Women who experienced natural menopause or had surgical menopause at an earlier age need close monitoring and engagement for preventive health measures to delay the development of dementia.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS
This work was supported by the Start-up Foundation for Scientific Research in Shandong University (202099000066), Science Fund Program for Excellent Young Scholars of Shandong Provence (Overseas) (2022HWYQ-030), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82273702). There are no competing interests.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
N/A.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Adult; Cohort Studies; Biological Specimen Banks; Menopause; Menopause, Premature; United Kingdom
PubMed: 37344154
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead130 -
Maturitas Dec 2023The huge impact of climate change on humankind is multidimensional, and includes direct and indirect challenges to the physical, psychological and socio-cultural... (Review)
Review
The huge impact of climate change on humankind is multidimensional, and includes direct and indirect challenges to the physical, psychological and socio-cultural wellbeing. Women may be more vulnerable to climate-sensitive diseases, but little attention has been paid to specific needs and challenges associated with the menopause transition. The increase in average and extreme temperatures may modulate the manifestation of vasomotor symptoms; in particular, environmental temperature and seasonality may affect hot flushes and night sweats. However, more research is needed to define the impact of climate-related factors among the determinants influencing the individual experience of menopause. In addition, increased exposure to environmental pollution and toxins may also have a role in the modulation of ovarian aging mechanisms, possibly influencing timing of menopause. Finally, both air pollution and menopause transition are associated with unfavorable modifications of cardio-metabolic, bone and cognitive health, and account should be taken of these in the evaluation of the individual woman's health vulnerabilities. Overall, the evidence reported in this narrative review supports the need for specific strategies aimed at reducing the burden of climate and environmental change on menopausal women. Healthcare providers should promote behavioral measures that reduce anthropogenic climate change and at the same time have a beneficial role on several domains of physical and psychological wellbeing. From this perspective, menopause represents a golden moment to implement virtuous behaviors that will benefit at the same time women's longevity and the planet.
Topics: Female; Humans; Menopause; Hot Flashes; Women's Health; Sweating
PubMed: 37634295
DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.107825 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Jan 2024Women may experience changes in sexuality across menopause, because at this step in life hormone deficiency interacts with several determinants in a bio-psycho-social... (Review)
Review
Women may experience changes in sexuality across menopause, because at this step in life hormone deficiency interacts with several determinants in a bio-psycho-social perspective. Healthcare providers should inform women about menopause impact on sexuality and be proactive during consultation in disclosing sexual concerns that would require a targeted assessment. Sexual symptoms become more frequent as women age, but they do not always translate into sexual dysfunction diagnosis, for which distress is required. It is important to recognize conditions that may increase the risk of dysfunctional response to menopause challenges in order to promote sexual longevity through counselling and specific management. In this review, we report key elements for a comprehensive assessment of sexual health around menopause, with a focus on genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), representing well identified clinical conditions affecting sexuality at midlife and beyond. We also address the issue of contraception across the menopausal transition, highlighting risks and benefits, and possible implications on sexual function.
Topics: Female; Humans; Contraception; Menopause; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological; Sexual Health
PubMed: 37748960
DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2023.101822 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Jul 2015There are numerous physiologic and biochemical changes in menopause that can affect the function of the liver and mediate the development of liver disease. Menopause... (Review)
Review
There are numerous physiologic and biochemical changes in menopause that can affect the function of the liver and mediate the development of liver disease. Menopause represents a state of growing estrogen deficiency, and this loss of estrogen in the setting of physiologic aging increases the likelihood of mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, declining immune responses to injury, and disarray in the balance between antioxidant formation and oxidative stress. The sum effect of these changes can contribute to increased susceptibility to development of significant liver pathology, particularly nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as accelerated progression of fibrosis in liver diseases, as has been particularly demonstrated in hepatitis C virus liver disease. Recognition of the unique nature of these mediating factors should raise suspicion for liver disease in perimenopausal and menopausal women and offer an opportunity for implementation of aggressive treatment measures so as to avoid progression of liver disease to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure.
Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Inflammation Mediators; Liver; Liver Diseases; Menopause; Oxidative Stress; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 26167064
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i25.7613 -
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics &... Nov 2023
Topics: Female; Humans; Menopause; Postmenopause; Uterine Diseases; Endometrium; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 38008495
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2023.09.015 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2017Beer is one of the most frequently consumed fermented beverages in the world, and it has been part of the human diet for thousands of years. Scientific evidence obtained... (Review)
Review
Beer is one of the most frequently consumed fermented beverages in the world, and it has been part of the human diet for thousands of years. Scientific evidence obtained from the development of new techniques of food analysis over the last two decades suggests that polyphenol intake derived from moderate beer consumption may play a positive role in different health outcomes including osteoporosis and cardiovascular risk and the relief of vasomotor symptoms, which are commonly experienced during menopause and are an important reason why women seek medical care during this period; here, we review the current knowledge regarding moderate beer consumption and its possible effects on menopausal symptoms. The effect of polyphenol intake on vasomotor symptoms in menopause may be driven by the direct interaction of the phenolic compounds present in beer, such as 8-prenylnaringenin, 6-prenylnaringenin, and isoxanthohumol, with intracellular estrogen receptors that leads to the modulation of gene expression, increase in sex hormone plasma concentrations, and thus modulation of physiological hormone imbalance in menopausal women. Since traditional hormone replacement therapies increase health risks, alternative, safer treatment options are needed to alleviate menopausal symptoms in women. The present work aims to review the current data on this subject.
Topics: Beer; Female; Health; Humans; Menopause; Metabolome; Polyphenols
PubMed: 28904736
DOI: 10.1155/2017/4749131 -
Journal of Neuroendocrinology Jan 2020Biological sex and changes in sex hormones throughout life influence all aspects of health and disease. In women, changes in sex hormonal status reflect ovarian... (Review)
Review
Biological sex and changes in sex hormones throughout life influence all aspects of health and disease. In women, changes in sex hormonal status reflect ovarian function, pregnancy and the use of exogenous hormonal treatments. Longitudinal data from defined cohorts of women will help to identify mechanisms by which the hormonal milieu contributes to cerebrovascular ageing, brain structure and ultimately cognition. This review summarises the phenotypes of three cohorts of women identified through the medical records-linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project and the Mayo Clinic Specialized Center of Research Excellence (SCORE) on Sex Differences: (i) menopausal women with histories of normotensive or hypertensive pregnancies; (ii) women who had bilateral oophorectomy ≤45 years of age; and (iii) women who experienced natural menopause and used menopausal hormone treatments for 4 years. Data from these cohorts will influence the design of follow-up studies concerning how sex hormonal status affects neurovascular ageing in women.
Topics: Adult; Aging; Blood Pressure; Brain; Female; Humans; Menopause; Middle Aged; Premenopause; Risk Factors
PubMed: 31397036
DOI: 10.1111/jne.12777 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Oct 2015Most menopausal women experience vasomotor symptoms with bothersome symptoms often lasting longer than one decade. Hormone therapy (HT) represents the most effective... (Review)
Review
Most menopausal women experience vasomotor symptoms with bothersome symptoms often lasting longer than one decade. Hormone therapy (HT) represents the most effective treatment for these symptoms with oral and transdermal estrogen formulations having comparable efficacy. Findings from the Women's Health Initiative and other recent randomized clinical trials have helped to clarify the benefits and risks of combination estrogen-progestin and estrogen-alone therapy. Absolute risks observed with HT tended to be small, especially in younger women. Neither regimen increased all-cause mortality rates. Given the lower rates of adverse events on HT among women close to menopause onset and at lower baseline risk of cardiovascular disease, risk stratification and personalized risk assessment appear to represent a sound strategy for optimizing the benefit-risk profile and safety of HT. Systemic HT should not be arbitrarily stopped at age 65 years; instead treatment duration should be individualized based on patients' risk profiles and personal preferences. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause represents a common condition that adversely affects the quality of life of many menopausal women. Without treatment, symptoms worsen over time. Low-dose vaginal estrogen represents highly effective treatment for this condition. Because custom-compounded hormones have not been tested for efficacy or safety, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved HT is preferred. A low-dose formulation of paroxetine mesylate currently represents the only nonhormonal medication FDA-approved to treat vasomotor symptoms. Gynecologists and other clinicians who remain abreast of data addressing the benefit-risk profile of hormonal and nonhormonal treatments can help menopausal women make sound choices regarding management of menopausal symptoms.
Topics: Estrogen Replacement Therapy; Female; Female Urogenital Diseases; Hot Flashes; Humans; Menopause; Middle Aged; Vasomotor System
PubMed: 26348174
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001058 -
BMJ Global Health Jun 2023While secular trends in high-income countries show an increase in the mean age at menopause, it is unclear if there is a similar pattern in low-income and middle-income...
BACKGROUND
While secular trends in high-income countries show an increase in the mean age at menopause, it is unclear if there is a similar pattern in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where women's exposure to biological, environmental and lifestyle determinants of menopause may differ. Premature (before age 40 years) and early (ages 40-44 years) menopause could have negative repercussions on later life health outcomes which in ageing societies could mean further stress on low-resource health systems. An evaluation of such trends in LMICs has been hampered by the suitability, quality and comparability of data from these countries.
METHODS
Using 302 standardised household surveys from 1986 to 2019, we estimate trends and CIs using bootstrapping in the prevalence of premature and early menopause in 76 LMICs. We also developed a summary measure of age at menopause for women who experience menopause before the age of 50 years based on demographic estimation methods that can be used to measure menopausal status in surveys with truncated data.
RESULTS
Trends indicate an increasing prevalence of early and premature menopause in LMICs, in particular in sub-Saharan Africa and South/Southeast Asia. These regions also see a suggested decline of the mean age at menopause with greater variation across continents.
CONCLUSIONS
This study enables the analysis of menopause timing by exploiting data generally used for the study of fertility by methodologically allowing the use of truncated data. Findings show a clear increase in prevalence of premature and early menopause in the regions with the highest fertility with possible consequences for later life health. They also show a different trend compared with high-income regions, confirming a lack of generalisability and the importance of accounting for nutritional and health transitions at the local level. This study calls for further data and research on menopause on a global scale.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Menopause, Premature; Developing Countries; Menopause; Asia, Southern; Income
PubMed: 37308265
DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012312