Previous studies have indicated that depression during the perimenopausal transition is associated with various risk factors, including previous history of depression, poor physical health, and more severe perimenopausal symptoms. A recent study (reviewed here) indicates that women who experienced multiple traumatic events during childhood or adolescence are more likely to experience depression during the […]
While about 80% of peri- and postmenopausal women have vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as night sweats and hot flashes, it has been observed that higher body mass index (BMI) and body fat are associated with an increased risk of vasomotor symptoms. Thus, it is reasonable to speculate that weight loss may prevent VMS. In […]
Many women report cognitive difficulties — forgetfulness, distractibility, feeling foggy — as they enter into the menopause. Looking at sex-related differences in memory, Rentz and colleagues examined 212 men and women between the ages of 45 and 55 years. Participants completed a battery of cognitive tests and underwent hormonal assessments. On all measures of cognitive […]
Peri- and postmenopausal women frequently complain of insomnia or poor sleep quality. Sleep disturbance is often attributed to nocturnal hot flashes. While nocturnal hot flushes may be the cause of sleep disruption in many peri- and postmenopausal women, many of these women have an underlying primary sleep disorder, like restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea. […]
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. However, recent studies have suggested that many peri- and postmenopausal women experience significant symptoms for many years and that these symptoms have a marked impact […]
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 across 11 Latin American countries. Women who exercised fewer than three times per week reported more severe menopause symptoms than […]
A growing body of research indicates that the menopausal transition is a period of increased vulnerability to depressive illness. Some women have experienced episodes of major depressive disorder (MDD) earlier in life and experience recurrent illness during the menopausal transition. Other women, however, experience first lifetime-onset of MDD during this transition. The identification of specific […]
Which treatment is best for managing menopausal sleep problems? We tend to think of estrogen replacement therapy as being the best option for all menopausal symptoms; however, there are other options for managing menopausal symptoms, including serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and gabapentin. A recent study compares low-dose estradiol and low-dose venlafaxine for the […]
The menopausal transition is a difficult time for many women. There is an increased risk of depressive episodes during this transition in the reproductive lifecycle, and the majority of women will experience symptoms related to perimenopause (such as hot flashes, sleep disturbance, and cognitive complaints). Vortioxetine (brand name Brintellix) is a novel antidepressant that was […]
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 menopause phase. For most, the symptoms are manageable, but for a sizeable subset of midlife women, these symptoms can negatively […]
