Many women report cognitive difficulties — forgetfulness, distractibility, feeling foggy —during the transition to menopause. While much attention has been devoted to the treatment of vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes or night sweats, less [...]
According to a recent study article published online in Menopause, having a sedentary lifestyle significantly affects the severity of perimenopausal symptoms.  This study included more than 6000 women aged 40 to 59 years who received care at urban health clinics [...]
Nearly a third of postmenopausal women experience vaginal changes, including dryness, itching and pain during sex -- symptoms related to the declining levels of estrogen occurring during the transition to menopause. Â According to a study [...]
Since the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) reported that the risks of menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) outweighed its benefits, there has been a significant reduction in the use of HRT. Â However, since that time, studies [...]
Several recent articles indicate that the burden of menopausal symptoms is greater than generally perceived.  About 80% of women experience vasomotor symptoms (VMS) – hot flashes and night sweats — as they transition into the [...]
According to a new study, supplementation with calcium and vitamin D does not appear to improve menopause-related vasomotor symptoms, mood changes, or sleep quality in postmenopausal women. This was a secondary analysis of data from the Women’s [...]
Studies evaluating the relationship of caffeine to vasomotor symptoms have yielded conflicting results.
Up to 80% of women experience vasomotor symptoms (VMS) as they transition into the menopause phase. While clinical guidelines suggest that VMS typically last from 6 months to 2 years, we often see women with VMS lasting for a much longer period of time. To more accurately assess the duration of VMS in perimenopausal women, researchers analyzed data from 1449 women included in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), an observational study of women entering menopause. Here is a summary of the key findings:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a type of psychotherapy that has been shown to be effective for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. Recently, several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that CBT is effective for managing vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women.
Previous studies have shown that the abrupt hormonal changes that occur after a surgical menopause (i.e., removal of the ovaries) negatively affect cognition in women. According to a recent study, "Women who were younger at the time of surgical menopause have a more rapid rate (steeper slope) of cognitive decline than women who were older at the time of surgery or than women undergoing natural menopause." Earlier age at menopause was also associated with increased Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology, in particular neuritic plaques.
