MRS评分系统评价围绝经期及绝经后妇女相关症状有效性的对比研究

目的通过与改良Kupperman评分和Greene评分系统比较,探讨MRS评分系统评价围绝经期及绝经后妇女相关症状的严重程度及对生活质量影响的有效性。方法选择2005年3月至2005年9月北京大学第一医院妇科门诊43～58岁围绝经期及绝经后妇女共157例。采用改良Kupperman评分、Greene评分及MRS评分系统分别对其围绝经期及绝经后症状进行评分。结果改良Kupperman评分与MRS评分之间呈正相关(r=0.785,P0.01),MRS评分与Greene评分之间呈正相关(r=0.864,P0.01)。结论 MRS评分是评价围绝经期及绝经后妇女相关症状及其对生活质量影响的有效工具。     

绝经女性抑郁症状及其影响因素分析

目的探讨绝经女性抑郁状况及其影响因素。方法通过横断面研究,采用问卷调查方式获取基本资料,应用抑郁自评量表(self-rating depression scale,SDS)进行抑郁症状评估,应用改良绝经症状量表(modified Kupperman index scale,KMI)进行绝经症状评估,采用SPSS20.0软件进行数据分析。结果共纳入1 591名女性,年龄中位数为52岁。KMI、SDS平均得分分别为13.9±8.8、39.6±9.0,绝经症状和抑郁症状发生率分别是77.7%、15.3%,围绝经期女性评分显著高于绝经后期女性评分,差异有统计学意义(P=0.027)。SDS评分在不同年龄段女性的差异较小(F=2.467,P0.05)。经二分类多因素logistic回归分析校正混杂因素后显示KMI评分6分(OR=1.148,95%CI=1.127~1.170)、生育3个以上子女(OR=1.339,95%CI=1.009~1.776)、受教育程度9年(OR=1.768,95%CI=1.167~2.678)、癌症患病史(OR=2.685,95%CI=1.139~6.334)的绝经女性更容易出现抑郁症状。而经济收入5 000元/月的女性则不容易出现抑郁症状(OR=0.597,95%CI=0.417~0.858)。结论围绝经期和绝经后期女性抑郁症状发生率较高。临床上应该采取更多措施改善绝经女性生活质量。     

多学科联合管理对女性围绝经期综合征的疗效分析

目的探讨围绝经期多学科联合管理对女性围绝经期综合征整体治疗效果的影响。方法观察性研究182例围绝经期综合征患者,随机分为观察组90例和对照组92例,两组患者均给予绝经激素补充治疗(MHT)6个月,观察组在MHT治疗的基础上进行多学科联合管理。填写改良Kupperman评分、焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS),测定血清性激素水平。结果在激素补充治疗基础上联合多学科管理的围绝经期女性,治疗6个月后,其Kupperman评分及SAS、SDS评分下降程度、E2升高、FSH、LH下降程度,显著优于对照组。结论激素补充治疗的基础上联合多学科管理,可以显著缓解围绝经期妇女的躯体症状,还能够更好的改善焦虑、抑郁程度,提高围绝经期综合征患者的生存质量。     

更年期门诊妇女绝经综合征与抑郁症状相关性的初步研究

目的探讨更年期门诊妇女绝经综合征与抑郁症状的相关性。方法将2016年7月—2017年2月期间因围绝经期相关症状在中国福利会国际和平妇幼保健院更年期门诊首次就诊的妇女纳入本研究。调查研究对象的一般情况、健康状况,应用Kupperman绝经指数量表(Kupperman menopausal index,KMI)评估围绝经期相关症状,采用患者健康问卷抑郁量表(patient health questionnaire,PHQ-9)对抑郁症状进行量化评分。结果共计调查153名门诊妇女,平均年龄为(47.3±4.3)岁,月经不规则者占77.78%。73.86%的调查对象患有绝经综合征(KMI6),疲乏(70.59%)、情绪波动(63.40%)、失眠(59.48%)、潮热出汗(56.21%)和骨关节痛(52.29%)是最常见的围绝经期症状;35.95%的门诊妇女存在抑郁症状(PHQ-9≥5)。绝经综合征的严重程度、相关症状的共患程度与门诊妇女是否患有抑郁症状显著相关。多因素分析显示,抑郁症与潮热出汗、失眠、情绪波动、眩晕、疲乏、头痛、心悸、性生活等具体症状的严重程度均有统计学联系。结论更年期门诊患者绝经综合征和抑郁症状间存在明显联系。未来应加强对围绝经期妇女心理健康问题的关注,使更多的妇女平稳度过围绝经期。     

文化程度及生育情况对女性围绝经期症状的影响

目的:探讨围绝经期女性文化程度及生育情况与其发生围绝经期症状的关系。方法:选取2013年1月—2017年12月在浙江地区相关医院妇科门诊就诊的2 917例围绝经期女性,采用问卷方式调查其基本情况、改良Kupperman评分法评估女性围绝经期症状。结果:最终纳入的2 479例研究对象中,有721例(29.08%)已自然绝经,绝经年龄为(49.42±3.57)岁。不同文化程度女性在绝经年龄、分娩次数、流产次数、妊娠次数、腰臀比、感觉异常、情绪波动、抑郁疑心和性生活问题方面比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。不同文化程度、分娩次数和妊娠次数间改良Kupperman评分总分的差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论:文化程度越低,分娩及妊娠次数越多,改良Kupperman评分总分越高,围绝经期症状越严重。不同文化程度及生育情况的围绝经期女性临床处理应个体化。     

经皮雌二醇凝胶对手术绝经妇女凝血功能、血脂及T淋巴细胞凋亡的影响

目的:研究经皮雌二醇凝胶对手术绝经妇女的凝血功能、血脂、T淋巴细胞凋亡的影响。方法:选取手术绝经、自然绝经1～5年内以及生育年龄妇女各15例,采外周静脉血检测,并分离出T淋巴细胞,用流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率。手术绝经组共有13例使用经皮雌二醇凝胶治疗3个月,用药前后采外周静脉血检测,并采用"改良Kup-perman评分法"和"绝经期生存质量量表"评估围绝经症状和生存质量。结果:手术绝经和自然绝经妇女的血清E2水平显著低于生育年龄组,FSH水平显著高于生育年龄组(P<0.01),T淋巴细胞凋亡率显著高于生育年龄组(P<0.05)。手术绝经组用经皮雌二醇凝胶治疗3个月后,血清E2水平从(8.38±9.49)pg/ml升至(27.23±24.11)pg/ml(P<0.05),改良Kupperman评分从(19.46±6.70)降至(14.46±4.46)、绝经期生存质量量表评分从(37.31±8.92)降至(23.77±9.69)(P均<0.01);活化部分凝血酶时间从用药前(24.85±1.77)s升至(28.31±3.43)s(P<0.05);甘油三酯水平从(2.56±0.90)mmol/L降至(1.78±0.96)mmol/L、低密度脂蛋白水平从(2.99±0.72)mmol/L降至(2.73±0.58)mmol/L(P均<0.05),T淋巴细胞凋亡率从用药前(14.89±2.28)%降至(13.96±2.38)%,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:经皮雌激素治疗(ET)显著升高了手术绝经妇女血清E2水平,显著改善了围绝经期症状和生存质量,并且凝血功能和脂代谢也有一定的改善。经皮ET有降低手术绝经妇女T淋巴细胞凋亡的趋势,提示低剂量ET可能有保护免疫功能的作用。     

穴位神经刺激仪治疗围绝经期综合征50例临床价值初探

目的:观察穴位神经刺激仪对围绝经期综合征相关症状的影响.方法:选取有围绝经期综合征相关症状的妇女50例,应用穴位神经刺激仪于内关、合谷、三阴交、足三里穴位以4～10 mA的电流刺激30分钟,隔日治疗1次,治疗12 ～ 15次.治疗前与治疗后填写改良Kupperman绝经指数(KMI)评分量表与绝经期生存质量量表.比较治疗前与治疗后两量表的评分.结果:治疗后比治疗前改良KMI评分与绝经期生存质量评分显著降低(P＜0.01).结论:穴位神经刺激仪可显著缓解围绝经期综合征相关症状,具有临床应用价值.     

黛力新联合性激素治疗围绝经期抑郁障碍的临床研究

目的:探讨围绝经期综合征伴发抑郁障碍的合理治疗方案,提高围绝经期妇女身心健康的水平。方法:选择围绝经期抑郁障碍患者125例,随机分为两组,研究组用黛力新联合性激素治疗(HT)(64例),对照组单用HT(61例)。观察治疗前后Gr绝经相关症状评分和Zung抑郁自评量表(SDS)评分。结果:Gr绝经症状评分:治疗2周后两组均较治疗前明显下降,两组无明显差异,但4周后两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),并且研究组各时段分值均低于对照组,随治疗时间推移,差异逐渐显著。SDS抑郁评分:治疗2周末研究组评分较治疗前明显下降,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);对照组3周末评分较治疗前明显下降,3周后无明显改善。并且研究组各时段分值均低于对照组。结论:HT联合小剂量黛力新治疗围绝经期综合征,能有效缓解抑郁障碍,减轻躯体症状,改善生活质量。     

用Kupperman评分评估围绝经期双侧卵巢切除对围绝经期症状的影响

目的:采用改良Kupperman评分系统对围绝经期因妇科良性肿瘤行双侧卵巢切除的患者进行评分,观察双侧卵巢切除对妇女围绝经期症状的影响.方法:2006～2007年在我院因良性疾病行手术治疗同时切除双侧卵巢的围绝经期患者,术后6～12个月发放调查问卷,内容包括患者基本情况和改良Kupperman评分表.询问患者如可以重新选择,是否仍愿意接受双侧卵巢切除手术,根据不同选择将患者分为接受手术组和暂缓手术组,并对Kupperman评分值进行统计学检验.结果:回收有效问卷68份.患者术后Kupperman评分由术前的12.71±9.50增加至20.35±7.84(P=0.000),其中以心悸、性生活质量下降、潮热出汗、疲乏、情绪波动、抑郁多疑等症状的评分增加明显,与术前相比差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).选择暂缓手术组患者术后情绪波动、头痛及性生活质量下降评分高于接受手术组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:围绝经期双侧卵巢切除后可能会加重妇女的围绝经期症状,进行围绝经期妇科良性疾病手术治疗时,应合理掌握卵巢切除的指征.     

上海市围绝经期门诊就诊妇女治疗效果的随访研究

目的分析影响围绝经期综合征妇女选择治疗方法的相关因素。方法将连续2个月内因围绝经期症状在上海市城乡二三级医院绝经专病/妇科门诊就诊且接受治疗的妇女纳入本研究,并开展1年随访,通过问卷调查收集妇女的社会人口学信息,围绝经期综合征程度采用改良Kupperman评分(modified Kupperman index,KMI)判断。结果就诊的349例妇女中共有161例接受治疗并进入队列,其中108例(67.1%)选择激素替代疗法(menopausal hormone therapy,MHT)。治疗后KMI评分正常的女性比例(37.9%)显著高于治疗前(13.0%,P=0.000),治疗后KMI总分(17.3±10.0)显著低于治疗前(10.6±8.2,P=0.000),治疗后13个症状单项得分均显著降低于治疗前(P0.005)。多因素logistic回归分析提示,同时患有1种[调整OR(a OR)=0.277]和2种及以上(a OR=0.249)慢性疾病的妇女接受MHT治疗的可能性显著低于无慢性病共患妇女。月经不规则(a OR=5.317)和已停经(a OR=11.070)妇女更可能接受MHT治疗。结论上海市围绝经期综合征妇女治疗效果较好,其是否接受MHT受自身健康状况和当前月经状态的影响。     

文化程度及生育情况对女性围绝经期症状的影响

目的：探讨围绝经期女性文化程度及生育情况与其发生围绝经期症状的关系。方法：选取2013年1月-2017年12月在浙江地区相关医院妇科门诊就诊的2 917例围绝经期女性,采用问卷方式调查其基本情况、改良Kupperman评分法评估女性围绝经期症状。结果：最终纳入的2 479例研究对象中,有721例（29.08%）已自然绝经,绝经年龄为（49.42±3.57）岁。不同文化程度女性在绝经年龄、分娩次数、流产次数、妊娠次数、腰臀比、感觉异常、情绪波动、抑郁疑心和性生活问题方面比较,差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。不同文化程度、分娩次数和妊娠次数间改良Kupperman评分总分的差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。结论：文化程度越低,分娩及妊娠次数越多,改良Kupperman评分总分越高,围绝经期症状越严重。不同文化程度及生育情况的围绝经期女性临床处理应个体化。     

Quality-of-life assessment in community-dwelling, middle-aged, healthy women in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the quality of life (QOL) of middle-aged Japanese healthy women during the menopausal transition, to identify the correlation between decreasing quality of life and the severity of menopausal symptoms in those women, and to evaluate the number of women who sought treatment/health-care support and their expectations for health-care services. METHODS: This was a community-based study, performed in collaboration with the Munakata Women's Midlife Health Project. The participants attended an annual medical check-up and cancer screenings, and led an everyday life without receiving medical treatment. Their quality of life was assessed with the World Health Organization QOL assessment (WHOQOL) and the severity of menopausal symptoms was assessed with the Kupperman index. Their expectations for health-care services were determined with an open-ended questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean scores of the Kupperman index in the peri- and postmenopausal states were significantly higher than that in the premenopausal states, whereas there was no significant difference of quality of life scored by the WHOQOL in the three groups. In spite of recruiting healthy middle-aged women, 24.4% of the perimenopausal and 26.6% of the postmenopausal women suffered from moderate or severe menopausal symptoms. The decreasing level of quality of life was correlated with the severity of the menopausal symptoms in the peri- and postmenopausal women. The participants did not receive medical support except in two cases, but 83.0% of them wished to participate in a seminar concerning menopause. Several of them sought treatment, health-care support and advice on how to maintain their health during and after the menopausal transition. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one-quarter of Japanese community-dwelling, healthy women in the peri- and postmenopausal states suffered from menopausal symptoms, which decreased their quality of life in everyday life.     

松奇贴片治疗围绝经期综合征124例疗效分析

目的 探讨半水合雌二醇贴片（商品名松奇）治疗围绝经期综合征的临床疗效。 方法 2009年12月至2011年6月应用多中心前瞻性研究方法在全国4家医院共纳入124例绝经后妇女,给予松奇贴片24周治疗,有子宫者加用孕激素,于治疗第4、12、24周检测血清雌二醇（E2）水平,并进行Kupperman评分以评价更年期症状,同时记录乳房胀痛、阴道流血和皮肤过敏等不良反应。结果 （1）生殖激素水平：E2在治疗前为（61.09±50.33）pmol/L,治疗4周时上升为（198.85±307.29）pmol/L（P=0.0003）;治疗12周时进一步上升至（258.87±220.40）pmol/L（P=0.0001）;治疗24周时 为（219.86±190.21）pmol/L（P=0.0000）。（2）Kupperman评分：治疗前Kupperman评分为23.91±8.11,治疗4周后,Kupperman评分较基线时大大下降,为9.05±7.56 （P=0.0000）;治疗12周时,Kupperman评分又进一步下降,为5.73±5.42 （P=0.0000）;治疗24周时,Kupperman评分基本维持不变,为5.76±7.03 （P=0.0000）。（3）研究期间未观察到严重副反应。结论 松奇贴片单独使用或加用口服微粒化孕酮或地屈孕酮能安全有效缓解围绝经期综合征。     

医护人员围绝经期情况调查

目的了解北京大学人民医院女性医护人员的围绝经期相关情况及自我认知。方法选取于2012年7月在北京大学人民医院行常规体检的女性职工共596位,年龄在40~60岁之间,以问卷形式调查其围绝经期月经状况、围绝经期症状发生程度以及对围绝经期的自我认知。结果①本次收回有效问卷557份。被调查者平均年龄（46.3±3.7）岁,其中已绝经者63人,自然绝经者45人,平均自然绝经年龄（47.7±4.7）岁;手术绝经（切除卵巢者）10人;药物绝经2人。从出现月经紊乱到绝经平均（1.6±1.5）年;②557名职工中,出现围绝经期相关症状者331人,其中对于更年期症状可治疗表示＂完全知道＂者45（13.6%）;对围绝经期症状＂知道一些＂的281人（84.9%）,表示＂完全不了解＂者5人（1.5%）。绝经远期危害中,知道＂骨质疏松＂者291人（52.2%）,知道＂心脑血管疾病＂者170人（30.5%）,知道＂阿尔兹海默症＂者59人（10.6%）,知道＂反复泌尿系感染＂者162人（29.1%）。所有受调查者中正在使用药物治疗围绝经期症状者69人（12.4%）,其中33人使用性激素类药物治疗（5.9%）,39人使用中药类药物治疗（7.0%）,其中3人两者均用（0.5%）;③557例中有围绝经期症状者331人,占59.4%,平均Kupperman绝经指数为11.9分（量表最高63分）。331人中有症状但未绝经者291人,平均绝经指数为11.1分;有症状且已经绝经者40人,绝经指数为16.5分。在有围绝经期症状的人群中,各项症状发生率从19.9%~77.6%不等。大多数发作者症状为轻至中度,重度者仅占0.6%~3.3%。结论女性医护人员围绝经期状况应引起重视。从事医疗行业女性对围绝经期的自我认知优于一般妇女群体,寻求药物治疗控制围绝经期症状的人群比例也高于一般妇女人群,但仍需加强相关知识的宣传和普及。     

水通道蛋白-2在人宫颈阴道上皮的表达及意义

目的:检测水通道蛋白-2(AQP2)在人宫颈阴道上皮细胞(hECE)的表达和定位。方法:因良性病变行子宫全切术患者45例,年龄34~67岁,按其月经状况分为3组:(1)正常月经组18例;(2)围绝经组14例;(3)绝经组13例。应用免疫组织化学方法研究hECE中AQP2蛋白的分布,分析不同生育时期hECE中AQP2表达的变化及与E2、年龄等的相关性。结果:hECE中存在AQP2蛋白,主要定位于鳞状上皮的中层和副基底层细胞膜上,hECE中的AQP2蛋白量以正常月经组最高,围绝经组次之,绝经组最低,3组有显著差异(P<0.05),随年龄增长,宫颈阴道黏膜AQP2蛋白表达下降。宫颈阴道上皮AQP2蛋白表达与E2水平呈正相关(r=0.393,P<0.05),与FSH呈负相关(r=-0.466,P<0.05),与年龄呈负相关(r=-0.436,P<0.05)。结论:阴道分泌物调节中AQP2可能是一种重要的通道蛋白。围绝经期及绝经后女性宫颈阴道上皮中蛋白表达下降,可能参与了导致阴道分泌物减少的调节。     

更年期女性胆固醇水平调查与影响因素分析

目的研究胆固醇代谢与绝经的关联和可能的影响因素。方法对杭州市拱墅区963例40~60岁女性进行横断面调查,收集其月经史及其他临床资料,填写改良Kupperman更年期症状量表(mKMI),检测血清总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)、雌二醇(E_2)水平。收集参与者教育程度、婚姻状态、职业状态、收入、居住地等社会人口资料。研究不同绝经状态女性胆固醇水平及高胆固醇血症、LDL-C升高的发生率,并分析年龄、绝经状态、FSH、E_2、社会人口等因素对血清胆固醇的影响。结果963例参与者平均年龄(51.0±5.6)岁,其中绝经前期302例(31.4%),围绝经期197例(20.5%),绝经后期464例(48.2%),绝经后参与者的平均绝经年龄(49.9±3.8)岁。在所有参与者中,绝经前期mKMI总分(6.36±6.43)显著低于围绝经期(10.30±7.88)和绝经后期(10.35±7.97)(P0.001)。绝经前后平均TC、LDL-C水平呈显著上升趋势,FSH、LH水平呈上升趋势,E_2水平呈下降趋势(P0.001)。所有参与者中高胆固醇血症比例为13.3%,LDL-C升高比例为15.0%,从绝经前期过渡到围绝经期、绝经后期的过程中,高胆固醇血症及LDL-C升高的发生率显著上升(P0.001)。Logistic多元回归分析表明FSH≥40IU/L是发生高胆固醇血症和LDL-C升高的危险因素(OR=2.821,95%CI=1.429~5.569,P=0.003;OR=2.587,95%CI=1.356~4.937,P=0.004),调整FSH水平后,年龄、绝经状态、E_2水平、社会人口因素与发生高胆固醇血症和LDL-C升高均无显著关联(P0.05)。结论相比绝经前期,围绝经期和绝经后女性平均TC、LDL-C上升,胆固醇水平升高的发生率增加,FSH水平升高可能是胆固醇代谢紊乱的内在机制,降低FSH水平可作为绝经激素补充治疗的目标和疗效指标。     

替勃龙对上皮性卵巢癌患者术后生存质量的影响

目的探讨替勃龙对上皮性卵巢癌患者术后生存质量的影响。方法选取自2009年1月至2010年8月在盛京医院手术且病理诊断为上皮性卵巢癌的患者,在术后规范化疗过程中,进行Kupperman量表调查,将评分大于15分的患者根据是否愿意使用替勃龙药物治疗分为两组,实验组术后给予替勃龙2.5mg,每日1次口服,持续6个月。不愿意用药者为对照组。将30例完成6个月服药的卵巢癌患者按照临床期别及年龄与未服药的患者非随机配对进行分析。结果①Kupperman量表：患者服药6个月实验组评分为（4.97±1.88）分,明显低于对照组评分（20.53±5.16）分,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.001）;②EORTC-C30量表：功能子量表：实验组在身体功能、情绪功能、社会功能、角色功能等方面较对照评分高,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;症状子量表：实验组在失眠、恶心、呕吐、疲劳、食欲等症状方面评分低,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;总体健康情况评分：实验组显著高于对照组;③在化疗副反应方面：周围神经症状,实验组与对照组相比,实验组周围神经症状较轻,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;白细胞计数：实验组较之对照组差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论替勃龙可明显改善上皮性卵巢癌术后患者雌激素缺乏症状,减轻化疗副反应,提高患者的生存质量。     

The effect of red clover isoflavones on menopausal symptoms, lipids and vaginal cytology in menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: The unexpected results of the Women's Health Initiative study have decreased the use of conventional hormone therapy (HT), changing physicians' and patients' attitudes towards HT and increasing their interest in alternative options. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of isoflavones contained in red clover extracts (Trifolium pratense) on menopausal symptoms, lipids and vaginal cytology in menopausal women. METHODS: Sixty postmenopausal women aged >40 years, non-users of HT, with Kupperman index score 15, were double-blindly randomized to receive either a commercially available red clover isoflavone supplement (80 mg/day) or placebo for 90 days. Subsequently, after a 7-day washout period, subjects switched to receive the opposite treatment for a further 90 days. Kupperman index score was determined and fasting blood and vaginal cytologic sampling performed at baseline, 90 and 180 days. RESULTS: Fifty-three women (88.3%) completed the trial. Mean age was 51.3 +/- 3.5 years, 69.7% of the women were aged 50 years or more. There was no significant effect on body mass index, weight or blood pressure after either treatment phase. Baseline Kupperman index score decreased significantly after each treatment phase, with the decrease more pronounced after the isoflavone phase (baseline: 27.2 +/- 7.7; after isoflavone: 5.9 +/- 3.9; after placebo: 20.9 +/- 5.3, p < 0.05). Red clover isoflavone supplementation significantly decreased the rate of menopausal symptoms and had a positive effect on vaginal cytology as expressed by improvement in karyopyknotic, cornification and basal cell maturation indices. Mean total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels also decreased; however, only the latter was significantly lower compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with placebo, red clover isoflavone supplementation in postmenopausal women significantly decreased menopausal symptoms and had a positive effect on vaginal cytology and triglyceride levels.     

Effect of climacteric transition and hormone replacement therapy on body weight and body fat distribution.

In the present study we evaluated the effects of climacteric modifications on body weight and fat distribution. From women attending a menopause clinic we selected 2175 untreated, normal healthy women who were divided into three groups: premenopausal (n = 540), perimenopausal (n = 750) and postmenopausal (n = 885), and compared them with 354 postmenopausal women receiving different forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The total body fat tissue mass and distribution were analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Body weight and body mass index (BMI) were significantly higher in perimenopausal and postmenopausal than in premenopausal women. Mean total body fat and fat as a percentage of soft tissue were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups than in the premenopausal group. Fat tissue and regional fat tissue as a percentage of total fat tissue were higher in the trunk (p < 0.0001) and arms (p < 0.0001) in perimenopausal and postmenopausal than in premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, leg fat tissue was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in premenopausal and perimenopausal groups. Total body and leg lean tissue were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in postmenopausal than in premenopausal and perimenopausal women. In age-matched women with similar BMI, total body fat as a percentage of soft tissue was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups than in the premenopausal group. As for body fat distribution, fat as a percentage of total fat tissue was significantly higher in the trunk (p < 0.0001) region in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women compared with the premenopausal group. In the legs, fat as a percentage of total fat tissue was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the premenopausal than in the postmenopausal group. In the arms a slight but not significant (p < 0.18) difference was shown in fat distribution between the three untreated groups. In age-matched HRT-treated postmenopausal women, the fat tissue was similar to that in the premenopausal group. The present results confirm that endocrine changes during the menopausal transition, rather than the aging process, are related to changes in body weight and fat distribution. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women show a shift to a central, android fat distribution that can be counteracted by HRT.