Menopausal Symptoms and the Menopausal Rating Scale Among Midlife Chinese Women in Macau,China

Studies on menopause-related quality of life (QoL), especially using the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS), in Asian women are scarce. This study surveyed menopausal symptoms in a convenience sample of 442 Chinese women aged 40–60 years who attended the Well-Women Clinic, Macau, China, in a public health center. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, the MRS, and a novel question on which area of QoL was affected. The average age of the participants was 49.2 ± 5.08 years, and 98.9% of them reported experiencing menopausal symptoms. The four most prevalent menopausal symptoms were physical and mental exhaustion (90.3%), joint and muscle discomfort (88.5%), irritability (78.1%), and sleep problems (77.1%). The average MRS score was 14.2 ± 8.80. A severe MRS score (≥17) was found in 35.5% of participants. Severe scores in the psychological, somatic, and urogenital MRS subscales were found in 17.9%, 42.8%, and 34.8%, of women, respectively. Menopausal symptoms affected QoL in 57.2% of women: daily life in 36.7%, work in 29.2%, sexual life in 17.0%, and relationship with husband in 13.8%. Daily life was significantly affected by hot flushes and joint/muscular discomfort; work was reportedly affected by irritability and exhaustion; sexual life was reported to be affected by hot flushes, sexual problems, and vaginal dryness, and relationship with husband was affected by sexual problems. We concluded that menopausal symptoms were highly prevalent among midlife Chinese women and often affected their QoL. The MRS, however, did not have a high sensitivity in detecting impaired QoL.     

Menopausal Transition Symptoms in Midlife Women Living With Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue

We aimed to determine how menopausal transition symptoms cluster across 216 midlife women with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndromes (FMS/CFS), or both and subsequently to compare symptom factor severity scores by menopausal status among these women and compare symptom reporting with prior community-based samples of women without obvious illness. We designed a cross-sectional telephone survey of 216 women aged 35 to 55, diagnosed with FMS/CFS, symptomatic in the prior 6 months, and without hysterectomy. Thirty-six of 61 symptoms loaded on five factors: aroused/anxious mood, depressed mood/withdrawal, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal (GI), and vasomotor. Peri- and postmenopausal women had higher symptom severity scores for musculoskeletal, GI, and vasomotor factors but not mood factors. Symptoms for the women we studied who had FMS/CFS clustered similar to those in previous community-based samples of midlife women without major illness; however, the number of women experiencing symptoms was much higher among our sample.     

A Population-Based Assessment of the Relationship Between Menopausal and Depressive Symptoms in Portuguese Women

Empirical research on the relationship between menopause and depression has found contradictory results. Some authors suggest that depression is related to menopausal symptoms and not to menopausal status per se. Our aim is to study the relationship between menopausal status and depressive symptoms in a sample (n = 728) of middle-aged Portuguese women, taking into account the presence of menopausal symptoms. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). There is a relatively high significant correlation between depressive and menopausal symptomatology (rs = .47). The increase of depressive symptomatology in perimenopause is still significant, even when adjusting for the presence of menopausal symptomatology.     

Effects of Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 on Mild Menopausal Symptoms in Middle-Aged Women

Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 (CP2305) is a paraprobiotic that exhibits beneficial effects on the intestinal function and microbiota, and increases resistance to psychological stress. The stress response mechanism mainly involves the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, which is influenced by the gut–brain axis. Furthermore, the gut–brain axis also communicates bidirectionally with the intestinal microbiota. Additionally, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axes share a common route that affects both mental and health aspects in women. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial aimed to analyze the influence of the intake of CP2305 on mild symptoms associated with menopause. Eighty women aged 40–60 years ingested CP2305 or placebo tablets for six consecutive menstrual cycles. Assessment was based on the observation of climacteric symptoms with two validated questionnaires—the Simplified Menopausal Index (SMI) and the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). The results showed that CP2305 provided significant relief in the SMI total score, SMI vasomotor score, SMI psychological score, GCS total score, GCS somatic score, and GCS vasomotor score compared to the placebo. The percentage of women with symptom relief for the SMI total score was 75.0%, with 30 of 40 women in the CP2305 group, and 55.0%, with 22 of 40 women in the placebo group (p = 0.0594). These findings provide new insights into the function of paraprobiotic CP2305 in relieving mild climacteric symptoms in women.     

Effects of Chlorogenic Acids on Menopausal Symptoms in Healthy Women: A Randomized,Placebo-Controlled,Double-Blind,Parallel-Group Trial

A reduction in estrogen levels in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal periods causes various symptoms in women, such as hot flushes, sweats, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Chlorogenic acids (CGAs), which are phenolic compounds widely present in plants such as coffee beans, have various physiological functions. However, the effects of CGAs on menopausal symptoms are unknown. To examine the effects of CGAs on menopausal symptoms, especially hot flushes, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group trial was conducted in healthy women. Eighty-two subjects were randomized and assigned to receive CGAs (270 mg) tablets or the placebo for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of intake, the number of hot flushes, the severity of hot flushes during sleep, and the severity of daytime sweats decreased significantly in the CGA group compared to the placebo group. The modified Kupperman index for menopausal symptoms decreased significantly after 2 weeks in the CGA group compared to the placebo group. Adverse effects caused by CGAs were not observed. The results show that continuous intake of CGAs resulted in improvements in menopausal symptoms, especially hot flushes, in healthy women.     

围绝经期妇女饮食结构与更年期症状关系的研究

目的 探讨城乡围绝经期妇女的饮食结构及更年期症状发生的关系。方法 采用随机整群抽样的方法,选择45～55岁的妇女297名进行有关更年期症状和膳食情况的调查。应用SPSS软件进行统计分析。结果 半数以上的围绝经期妇女每日膳食中的畜禽鱼类、谷类、水果和油脂类的摄入达到“中国居民平衡膳食宝塔”中的每日需要量,但只有不足半数的人蔬菜、豆类、鸡蛋和牛奶的摄入量达到每日需要量。城市妇女与农村妇女的饮食结构存在明显的不同。经常食用豆类食品的人,血管舒缩症状和生殖器萎缩症状的发生率低于不经常食用者(P<0.05).而经常食用肉类食物的人,血管舒缩症状的发生率高于不经常食用者(P<0.05).结论 围绝经期妇女的膳食结构尚不够合理。饮食习惯可能与更年期症状的发生有关,有待进一步研究。     

Ethnic Differences in the Clusters of Menopausal Symptoms

Our purpose for this study was to identify clusters of midlife women by menopausal symptoms in a multiethnic sample, and to determine ethnic differences in the clusters. This was a secondary analysis of data from 501 women in a larger Internet study on menopausal symptom experiences. The data were analyzed using factor analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and multinominal logistic analysis. A three cluster solution was adopted (F = 575.71, p <.01). The clusters differed significantly in the country of birth and ethnicity (p <.05). Only in the low symptomatic cluster were there significant ethnic differences in menopausal symptoms.     

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions about Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Screening Among Hispanic Women Residing in South Central Pennsylvania

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about breast cancer, and screening behaviors among Hispanic women in Pennsylvania. Eight focus groups were conducted with Hispanic women to obtain answers to the questions of interest. Results, based on content analysis, showed that cultural factors, such as family and fatalism, influence breast cancer knowledge and screening among this group. In addition, these women had some misconceptions regarding breast cancer and breast cancer detection screening. Most participants reported that they would like to receive breast cancer education in Spanish from health care providers or health educators. These results can help health professionals, including health educators, in the development of suitable breast cancer education and screening promotion programs for Hispanic women. This study was funded by the Research Council of The Penn State Capital College.     

Nutrition in Menopausal Women: A Narrative Review

Among the various aspects of health promotion and lifestyle adaptation to the postmenopausal period, nutritional habits are essential because they concern all women, can be modified, and impact both longevity and quality of life. In this narrative review, we discuss the current evidence on the association between dietary patterns and clinical endpoints in postmenopausal women, such as body composition, bone mass, and risk markers for cardiovascular disease. Current evidence suggests that low-fat, plant-based diets are associated with beneficial effects on body composition, but further studies are needed to confirm these results in postmenopausal women. The Mediterranean diet pattern along with other healthy habits may help the primary prevention of bone, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases in the postmenopausal period. It consists on the use of healthy foods that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and is associated with a small but significant decrease in blood pressure, reduction of fat mass, and improvement in cholesterol levels. These effects remain to be evaluated over a longer period of time, with the assessment of hard outcomes such as bone fractures, diabetes, and coronary ischemia.     

妇女更年期症状及与妊娠次数的相关性探讨

目的 探讨更年期妇女生理心理状况及妊娠次数对其影响,加强更年期妇女保健,提高生活质量.方法 对2008年1月～2009年12月来沙市区妇幼保健院更年期门诊就诊的45～70 岁的妇女445名进行问卷调查.问卷内容包括基本情况及更年期症状,更年期症状评分采用Kupperman评分表,用Epidata 3.1建立数据库,并利用SAS 9.2统计软件对资料进行统计描述及关联性分析.结果 86.3%的调查对象出现不同程度的更年期症状;妊娠次数与其症状发生程度相关,从未怀孕或妊娠次数多的妇女症状相对较为严重,且差异有统计学意义.结论 在前来就诊的妇女中,更年期症状发生率较高.应加强对育龄期妇女健康教育,减少怀孕次数;加强对从未怀孕或妊娠次数较多的更年期妇女进行保健宣传,提高保健意识,并采用多种形式提供保健服务,预防更年期相关症状,缓解症状严重程度.     

Moderate Consumption of Beer (with and without Ethanol) and Menopausal Symptoms: Results from a Parallel Clinical Trial in Postmenopausal Women

The menopausal transition can be a challenging period for women’s health and a trigger of uncomfortable symptoms. Beer is the main food source of isoxanthohumol, a precursor of 8-prenylnaringenin, the strongest phytoestrogen identified to date. As phytoestrogens are reported to reduce perimenopausal symptoms, we evaluated if a daily moderate consumption of beer with (AB) and without alcohol (NAB) could improve menopausal symptoms and modify cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 37 postmenopausal women were enrolled in a parallel controlled intervention trial and assigned to three study groups: 16 were administered AB (330 mL/day), 7 NAB (660 mL/day), and 14 were in the control group. After a 6-month follow-up of the 34 participants who finished the trial, both interventions (AB and NAB) significantly reduced the severity of the menopause-related symptoms (p-value AB vs. Control: 0.009; p-value NAB vs. Control: 0.033). Moreover, AB had a beneficial net effect on psychological menopausal discomforts compared to the control group. As the sex hormone profile did not differ significantly between the study groups, the effects of both types of beers (AB and NAB) are attributed to the non-alcoholic fraction of beer. Furthermore, moderate NAB consumption improved the lipid profile and decreased blood pressure in postmenopausal women.     

Attitudes and Perceptions of Fitness Professionals Regarding Obesity

The purpose of this study was to assess perceptions of exercise professionals regarding obesity. A three page, 25-item survey was mailed to a random sample of 500 certified Health Fitness Instructors, Exercise Test Technologists, and Exercise Specialists from a certification list provided by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The return rate was 66%. Most exercise professionals (74%) supervised or worked directly with obese clients in an exercise/fitness setting. The majority of exercise professionals believed that normal weight is very important to a person's health, that physical activity is very important in the treatment of obesity, that they should be role models by maintaining normal weight, that they are obligated to counsel obese persons concerning the health risks of obesity, that they are very competent to prescribe exercise programs for weight loss, and that counseling obese persons on exercise for weight loss is professionally gratifying. The majority of exercise professionals also believed sedentary lifestyles, poor eating behavior, excessive calorie consumption, and psychological problems play a major role in most obesity. Exercise professionals reported that they received most of their information on weight control from textbooks, college classes, scientific journals, workshops/seminars, and past experience.     

The Association between Fat Taste Sensitivity,Eating Habits,and Metabolic Health in Menopausal Women

The aim of our study was to evaluate the associations between sensitivity to fat taste, eating habits and BMI value in a sample of menopausal Polish women. In a population of 95 women, fat taste thresholds with oleic acid were determined, allowing us to classify each woman as a hypersensitive or hyposensitive taster. Eating habits were assessed using a validated KomPAN questionnaire for food frequency. Dietary intake was evaluated based on a food diary. Selected biochemical parameters were measured using a Konelab20i biochemical analyzer. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were also measured. Twenty-two menopausal women were classified as hyposensitive to fat taste and 73 as hypersensitive. The hyposensitive tasters were significantly older (p = 0.006), with the majority of them (92%) being postmenopausal (p < 0.001); this group had significantly higher BMI values (p < 0.001) and other adiposity indicators compared to their hypersensitive counterparts. The hyposensitive tasters had higher blood pressure (systolic blood pressure; SBP p = 0.030; diastolic blood pressure; DBP p = 0.003), glucose (p = 0.011) and triacylglycerols levels than the hypersensitive tasters (p = 0.031). Almost half of them had diagnosed metabolic syndrome. Daily eating occasions were associated with low oral fatty acid sensitivity, irrespective of age (p = 0.041) and BMI value (p = 0.028). There were also significant associations between frequency of consumption of meats and eggs, as well as snacks and fast foods and low oral fatty acid sensitivity before adjustment for potential confounders (both associations p < 0.05), which remained after adjustment for age (both associations p < 0.05), but not after adjustment for BMI. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher BMI value (p = 0.003), along with postmenopausal status (p = 0.003), were associated with low fat taste sensitivity irrespective of age and consumed percentage energy from fat. Postmenopausal status and BMI are associated with low fat taste sensitivity. Fat hyposensitivity may also play a role in eating habits, leading to increased eating occasions and favoring certain types of food. These eating habits may determine increased body weight and the occurrence of metabolic syndrome in mid-life women, especially those who have undergone menopause and have been exposed to the physiological changes which are conducive to these relationships.     

Psychometric Validation of the Women's Health Questionnaire in Menopausal Women

The objective of this study was to adapt the Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ) to women who speak Turkish and are from the Turkish culture, and to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the scale. A convenience sample of women undergoing the menopausal transition or in the postmenopausal period was recruited at one primary health care center in Erzurum, Turkey. The researchers selected consecutive women who applied to the center for health care services. Three hundred sixty-six women were asked to participate in the study and to complete the WHQ during their appointment at the health care center in 2010. In the assessment of construct validity, nine factors were identified: depressed mood; menstrual symptoms; somatic symptoms; anxiety/fears; attractiveness; sexual behaviour; vasomotor symptoms; memory; and sleep problems. The nine factors explained 56.5% of the total variance. The overall internal reliability coefficient of this scale was 0.80. Evidence of the validity, reliability, and acceptability of the questionnaire was provided in this study. The Turkish version of the questionnaire is easy to understand and allows evaluation of women's quality of life for various purposes.     

Stress and Premenstrual Symptoms in Reproductive-Aged Women

Premenstrual symptoms are often reported from reproductive-aged women worldwide. The etiologies of the symptoms are complex (e.g., biological and sociocultural factors), and require an international and multidisciplinary approach. A total of 48 studies were reviewed on how stress and premenstrual symptoms have been defined and measured, and major findings on relational patterns and other associated factors were examined. Subsequently, we discuss several trends and limitations identified from the review. Prospective studies, which use valid assessment measures and consider women's subjective and objective symptoms for several menstrual cycles, are necessary for a valid conclusion. More intervention studies and studies on various populations are needed.