http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/menopause/ Read the latest medical research on menopause including new methods to reduce hot flashes, information on hormones and other questions pertinent to menopause. en-us Sat, 26 May 2012 13:05:01 EDT Sat, 26 May 2012 13:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/menopause/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120503103448.htm Women who smoke and carry specific variations in the genes that impact their metabolism are at higher risk of developing hot flashes in comparison with smokers who do not carry these gene variants, according to a recent study. Thu, 03 May 2012 10:34:34 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120503103448.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120424205337.htm Women who go through the menopause early are nearly twice as likely to suffer from osteoporosis in later life, suggests new research shows. Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:53:53 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120424205337.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120412113726.htm Attitude may play an important role in how exercise affects menopausal women, according to researchers, who identified two types of women -- one experiences more hot flashes after physical activity, while the other experiences fewer. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:37:37 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120412113726.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120404144120.htm The first large-scale U.S.-based study to evaluate the link between an injectable form of progestin-only birth control and breast cancer risk in young women has found that recent use of a year or more doubles the risk. Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120404144120.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120401134933.htm In a landmark study, researchers have linked the long-term use of estrogen plus progesterone and estrogen-only hormone therapy with a higher risk for developing breast cancer. Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:49:49 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120401134933.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120330081737.htm Glucocorticoids - a type of steroid hormone - are widely used in a number of medical disorders. Worldwide, it is estimated that almost 5% of postmenopausal women take glucocorticoids. As well as having specific benefits, Glucocorticoids have side effects. One of the potentially most important is that glucocorticoid use is associated with bone loss, which is most rapid in the first 3-6 months of treatment, potentially leading to serious complications and osteoporosis in many postmenopausal women. Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120330081737.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120325102613.htm Women are nearly three times more likely to experience urinary incontinence for more than 10 years following a vaginal delivery rather than a caesarean section, finds new research. Sun, 25 Mar 2012 10:26:26 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120325102613.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120314124018.htm The difficulties that many women describe as memory problems when menopause approaches are real, according to a new study. The findings won't come as a surprise to millions of women, but the results validate their experiences and provide some clues to what is happening in the brain as women hit menopause. Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:40:40 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120314124018.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120301143758.htm Treatment with vitamin D reduced the size of uterine fibroids in laboratory rats predisposed to developing the benign tumors, reported researchers. Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:37:37 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120301143758.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120301084146.htm Older women whose diets include a substantial amount of trans fats are more likely than their counterparts to suffer an ischemic stroke, a new study shows. However, the risk of stroke associated with trans fat intake was lower among women taking aspirin. Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:41:41 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120301084146.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120228190932.htm As soon as women quit hormone therapy, their rates of new breast cancer decline, supporting the hypothesis that stopping hormones can lead to tumor regression, according to a new report. Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:09:09 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120228190932.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120203180903.htm Newly divorced middle aged women are more vulnerable to contract HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, according to new research, because they tend to let their guard down with new sexual partners and avoid using protection since they are not afraid of getting pregnant. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:09:09 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120203180903.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202164536.htm The traditional risk factors for stroke – such as high cholesterol – are not as accurate at predicting risk in postmenopausal women as previously thought. Instead, researchers say doctors should refocus their attention on triglyceride levels to determine which women are at highest risk of suffering a devastating and potentially fatal cardiovascular event. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:45:45 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202164536.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123094751.htm Researchers have discovered 13 new regions of the genome associated with the timing of menopause. These genes shed light on the biological pathways involved in reproductive lifespan and will provide insights into conditions connected to menopause, such as breast cancer and heart disease. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:47:47 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123094751.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110102058.htm A group of experts has prepared a report on vitamin D supplementation for menopausal women after it was revealed that Europeans have suffered an alarming decrease in their levels of this vitamin. In their opinion, the ideal would be to maintain blood levels above 30 ng/ml. Vitamin D is essential to the immune system and processes such as calcium absorption. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:20:20 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110102058.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109212017.htm The use of statins in postmenopausal women is associated with increased diabetes risk, according to a new study. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:20:20 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109212017.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105161748.htm Pelvic pain and abnormal bleeding aren’t the only signs of gynecologic cancer. Researchers share other symptoms that often are overlooked. Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:17:17 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105161748.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221091722.htm Sensitivity to allopregnanolone, a hormone that occurs naturally in the body after ovulation and during pregnancy, changes during the course of the menstrual cycle and is different in women with severe PMS compared with women without PMS complaints. Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:17:17 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221091722.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111209171936.htm Why do so many postmenopausal women who are treated for estrogen-sensitive breast cancer quit using drugs that help prevent the disease from recurring? The first study to ask the women themselves reports 36 percent of women quit early because of the medications' side effects, which are more severe and widespread than previously known. The research also reveals a big gap between what women tell their doctors about side effects and what they actually experience. Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:19:19 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111209171936.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129185921.htm Elevated blood sugar levels are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, according to a new study. The findings were observed in nearly 5,000 postmenopausal women. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:59:59 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129185921.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129092413.htm In a new study, growth hormone replacement for six months was found to increase bone formation in abdominally obese women. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:24:24 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129092413.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111114112311.htm In a finding that confirms what many obstetricians and gynecologists suspected, researchers report that younger women who undergo hysterectomies face a nearly two-fold increased risk for developing menopause early. Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:23:23 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111114112311.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111101125557.htm The birth control shot Depo Provera offers a convenient alternative for women who don't want to remember to take a daily pill. Ironically, new research has shown the shot actually may impair a person's memory. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:55:55 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111101125557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024084707.htm Postmenopausal women who gained weight during adulthood had an increased risk for endometrial cancer compared with women who maintained a stable weight, according to new research. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:47:47 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024084707.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024084645.htm Postmenopausal women who reported having used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for at least 10 years at the time of enrollment in the Women's Health Initiative study had a lower risk for death from colorectal cancer compared with women who reported no use of these drugs at enrollment, according to new research. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:46:46 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024084645.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111021074738.htm Post-menopausal women with high levels of hormones such as estrogen or testosterone are known to have a higher risk of breast cancer. New research looked at eight different sex and growth hormones and found that the risk of breast cancer increased with the number of elevated hormones -- each additional elevated hormone level increased risk by 16 percent. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 07:47:47 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111021074738.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020084823.htm A healthy diet is especially important during the menopause - a period in which the risk of suffering from health problems increases. Various studies analyze the diet of peri- and postmenopausal women in Spain alongside the troubles that come with this transition. The results show that all of those groups studied have a deficient intake of vitamin D. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:48:48 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020084823.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020024848.htm Women still have hot flashes and night sweats years after menopause, a new study finds. Hot flashes and night sweats (HF/NS) are the main physical signs of the menopause, however their prevalence, frequency, severity and duration vary considerably. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:48:48 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020024848.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020024133.htm A recent study found that estrogen regulates energy expenditure, appetite and body weight, while insufficient estrogen receptors in specific parts of the brain may lead to obesity. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111020024133.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111014104950.htm Post-menopausal women who experience new onset breast tenderness after starting combination hormone therapy may have an increased risk of breast cancer compared to women who don't experience breast tenderness, a new study shows. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:49:49 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111014104950.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111012144142.htm Estrogen may prevent strokes in premature or early menopausal women, researchers have found in a new study. Their findings challenge the conventional wisdom that estrogen is a risk factor for stroke at all ages. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111012144142.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111010075526.htm A new study has found that an osteoporosis drug protects against the bone damaging side effects of certain breast cancer medications. The study indicates that some breast cancer patients could take zoledronic acid in addition to their anti-cancer medications to maintain bone health. Mon, 10 Oct 2011 07:55:55 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111010075526.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004151630.htm Men have more iron in their bodies and brains than women. These higher levels may be part of the explanation for why men develop these age-related neurodegenerative diseases at a younger age. But why do women have less iron in their systems than men? One possible explanation for the gender difference is that during menstruation, iron is eliminated through the loss of blood. Now, a new study confirms this suspicion and suggests strategies to reduce excess iron levels in both men and women. Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004151630.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004123600.htm It's no secret that women often gain weight as they get older. The sex hormone estrogen has an important, if underappreciated, role to play in those burgeoning waistlines. Now, researchers have traced those hormonal effects on metabolism to different parts of the brain. The findings may lead to the development of highly selective hormone replacement therapies that could be used to combat obesity or infertility in women without the risks for heart disease and breast cancer, the researchers say. Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:36:36 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004123600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110927073201.htm Women taking postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may have an increased risk of severe asthma attacks requiring hospitalization, scientists warn. Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:32:32 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110927073201.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110926104126.htm A drug used to protect bone may extend survival in older breast cancer patients, according to researchers. The AZURE trial has revealed that the bisphosphonate drug zoledronic acid boosts disease-free survival in postmenopausal breast cancer patients but may have an adverse effect on younger women. Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110926104126.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110925125153.htm A trial investigating the use of zoledronic acid to aid chemotherapy for breast cancer has found a significant benefit for post-menopausal women. The overall survival rate in post-menopausal women was 85 percent compared to 79 percent for women who did not receive zoledronic acid. Researchers in the multi-center AZURE trial think it could be the key for a greater understanding of the mechanisms of breast cancer recurrence. Sun, 25 Sep 2011 12:51:51 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110925125153.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110913122101.htm Many studies suggest that hormone-like plant compounds called phytoestrogens have a cancer protective effect. Scientists have now provided evidence that in postmenopausal breast cancer patients these substances also lower the risk of developing metastasis or secondary tumors and dying by up to 40 percent. Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:21:21 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110913122101.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110907171531.htm A new study has found that flaxseed provided no benefit in easing hot flashes among breast cancer patients and postmenopausal women. Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110907171531.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110907124620.htm Researchers have uncovered a new contraceptive that is more focused, safer and, therefore, available for use among a larger population of women. This research in monkeys has demonstrated that targeting these enzymes can prevent the release of an egg from the ovary. Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:46:46 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110907124620.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110906144030.htm Researchers have demonstrated that the loss of a key protein that regulates estrogen and immune activity in the body could lead to aspects of metabolic syndrome, a combination of conditions that can cause Type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:40:40 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110906144030.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110906085427.htm Contradicting the long-held medical belief that the risk of cardiovascular death for women spikes sharply after menopause, new research suggests instead that heart disease mortality rates in women progress at a constant rate as they age. Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:54:54 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110906085427.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110831205951.htm Breast cancer patients over the age of 60 with early-stage, hormone-responsive small tumors who forgo adjuvant endocrine, also called hormonal therapy, are not at an increased risk of mortality compared to women of the same age without breast cancer, according to a new study. Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:59:59 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110831205951.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110831093943.htm A recent study found that among women aged 60 and above, heavier women have fewer hot flashes than their leaner counterparts. The inverse association between body size and hot flashes was observed only among the older women. Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:39:39 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110831093943.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110831093937.htm A recent study found that postmenopausal women who smoke have higher androgen and estrogen levels than non-smoking women, with sex hormone levels being highest in heavy smokers. Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:39:39 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110831093937.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110825141623.htm Uterine leiomyomas, also called fibroids, cause a very significant burden to women's health. Researchers have set out to study the genetic structure of fibroids by determining the sequence of all the human genes, in a series of 18 tumors. The study revealed very specific mutations in a gene called MED12, in as many of 70 percent of the studied tumors. Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110825141623.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110825102340.htm Current estimates of the impact of chemotherapy on women's reproductive health are too low, according to a new study. The researchers say their analysis of the age-specific, long-term effects of chemotherapy provides new insights that will help patients and clinicians make more informed decisions about future reproductive options, such as egg harvesting. Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110825102340.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110822161338.htm The toxicities associated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) may explain the lack of overall survival improvement compared with tamoxifen, according to a new study. Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:13:13 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110822161338.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110818093048.htm When it comes to improving bone health in postmenopausal women -- and people of all ages, actually -- researchers has found a simple, proactive solution to help prevent fractures and osteoporosis: eating dried plums. Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110818093048.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110811181716.htm The sex hormone estrogen could help protect women from cardiovascular disease by keeping the body's immune system in check, new research has revealed. The study has shown that the female sex hormone works on white blood cells to stop them from sticking to the insides of blood vessels, a process which can lead to dangerous blockages. Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110811181716.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110808161143.htm Soy isoflavone tablets do not appear to be associated with a reduction in bone loss or menopausal symptoms in women within the first five years of menopause, according to a new study. Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110808161143.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110802113616.htm Prolonged estrogen deprivation in aging rats dramatically reduces the number of brain receptors for the hormone as well as its ability to prevent strokes, researchers report. However the damage is forestalled if estrogen replacement begins shortly after hormone levels drop, according to a new study. Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:36:36 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110802113616.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727161250.htm Women with breasts that appear dense on mammograms are at a higher risk of breast cancer and their tumors are more likely to have certain aggressive characteristics than women with less dense breasts, according to a study. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727161250.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110726111057.htm Menopause has little to no impact on whether women become more susceptible to diabetes, according to a one-of-a-kind study that provides good news for older women. Postmenopausal women had no higher risk for diabetes whether they experienced natural menopause or had their ovaries removed, according to the U.S. national clinical trial of women, ages 40 to 65. Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:10:10 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110726111057.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110719161542.htm Temporarily suppressing ovarian function with use of the hormone analogue triptorelin reduced the occurrence of early menopause induced by chemotherapy among women with breast cancer, according to a new study. Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110719161542.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110719093802.htm Birth control pills may reduce a woman's bone density, according to a new study. Impacts on bone were small, depended on the woman's age and the pill's hormone dose, and did not appear until about two years of use. The researchers also reported how on bone density levels when a woman stops using the pill. Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110719093802.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110712210922.htm Menopause shouldn't be seen as a medical problem that needs fixing but as a life-affirming and normal process that women go through. This is one of the findings by psychotherapist Sue Brayne, who is presenting her insights into the lived, felt experiences of women going through menopause. Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:09:09 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110712210922.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110706093902.htm The self-paced walking test, known as the 400-meter walk test, is effective in measuring improved physical function in postmenopausal women who have lost weight through healthy physical activity and dietary changes, according to new research. Wed, 06 Jul 2011 09:39:39 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110706093902.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110706093718.htm Women from the lowest social class are almost three times as likely to have premature ovarian failure as those from the highest social class, researchers say. Wed, 06 Jul 2011 09:37:37 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110706093718.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110705091502.htm Using a widely available ovulation test is a more reliable method of predicting when a woman will be at her most fertile than the commonly used calendar method. Researchers said that the ovulation test could cope with cycle variability, whereas the calendar method could not. Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110705091502.htm