Post reproductive healthPub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-04-02DOI: 10.1177/20533691251332403
Hamisha Salih, Zoe Schaedel, Olivia Hum, Claudia DeGiovanni
{"title":"Results of a patient survey exploring skin symptoms in a menopause clinic.","authors":"Hamisha Salih, Zoe Schaedel, Olivia Hum, Claudia DeGiovanni","doi":"10.1177/20533691251332403","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20533691251332403","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundThe menopause leads to a reduction in circulating estrogen and progesterone levels, which trigger physiological changes in women. This includes cutaneous changes where these hormonal receptors are present and potential deterioration of previously diagnosed dermatoses. We suspect that the prevalence of skin, hair, vulval and oral symptoms experienced during the menopausal time may be underestimated and may not be considered associated with the menopause in presenting patients.MethodsA survey was conducted to investigate the dermatological symptoms experienced by women attending a menopause clinic. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was also recorded for each patient.ResultsA high prevalence of skin, hair, vulval and oral symptoms was reported by participants, and these symptoms appear to have an impact on quality of life.ConclusionThese findings highlight the need for research into the management of these symptoms, including the role of hormone replacement therapy amongst other treatment modalities.</p>","PeriodicalId":52104,"journal":{"name":"Post reproductive health","volume":" ","pages":"159-161"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12426320/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143765723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Post reproductive healthPub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-08-22DOI: 10.1177/20533691251366801
Katie Barber, Nick Panay
{"title":"Uniting minds and advancing menopause care: Reflections from the 2025 British Menopause Society Conference.","authors":"Katie Barber, Nick Panay","doi":"10.1177/20533691251366801","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20533691251366801","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":52104,"journal":{"name":"Post reproductive health","volume":" ","pages":"147-148"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144978210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The use of HRT containing transdermal estradiol in women with a personal history of venous or arterial thromboembolism: A consecutive series of 115 cases.","authors":"Phoebe Howells, Sadiya Hussain, Emily Hulme, Kugajeevan Vigneswaran, Samar Zia, Mohsen Hassan, Roopen Arya, Haitham Hamoda","doi":"10.1177/20533691251369205","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20533691251369205","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveTo assess the risk of further thrombosis with using HRT containing transdermal estradiol in women with a personal history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) or arterial thromboembolism (ATE).MethodsWe undertook analysis of patients with a history of VTE/ATE who had been seen in the menopause clinic at King's College Hospital. They were followed up for a minimum of a 12 months period to assess for recurrence of VTE/ATE.ResultsThe study included 115 patients with a personal history of VTE/ATE who had used HRT for over a year. 81% had a history of a VTE, 19% had suffered from an ATE. Patients had taken HRT containing transdermal estradiol +/- micronised progesterone or Mirena coil or combined transdermal HRT for a range of 1-20 years, with an average duration of 3 years. 11 patients had switched from oral HRT to transdermal HRT after visiting the clinic. All patients had been referred to a haematologist with 20% of patients requiring life-long anticoagulation based on their medcial background history. 64% of the patients had documented thrombophilia results with 42% of those being positive for a thrombophilia. 39/115 patients required a higher dose of estrogen, taking either more than two pumps of gel/spray or >50 micrograms in the form of a patch. Significantly on follow up (up to 12 months or more), none of the patients had a recurrence of a thromboembolism within 12 months of starting HRT containing transdermal estradiol.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study assessing the use of HRT containing transdermal estradiol in women with a personal history of VTE/ATE. None of the patients assessed had a thromboembolic event within 12 months of follow up. This study will enable more clinicians to consider prescribing HRT in patients with a personal history of VTE/ATE and higher patient uptake, after individualised risk-assessments.</p>","PeriodicalId":52104,"journal":{"name":"Post reproductive health","volume":" ","pages":"20533691251369205"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144978174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Safe prescribing of testosterone in a GP setting: An audit.","authors":"Katie Jenkins, Helen Kini","doi":"10.1177/20533691251362374","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20533691251362374","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveTo evaluate whether testosterone could be prescribed safely in General Practice by appropriately trained primary care clinicians.MethodsWe audited testosterone prescribing in four GP surgeries across the Northwest against standards extrapolated from current guidance. We then introduced a structured EMIS template and protocol and then re-audited our prescribing against the same standards 6 months later.ResultsInitiating and prescribing of testosterone after our interventions met all our standards to 100%.ConclusionOur protocol and template facilitated safe prescribing of testosterone within a primary care setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":52104,"journal":{"name":"Post reproductive health","volume":" ","pages":"20533691251362374"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144796103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Impact of hormonal replacement therapy on menopausal women with psychosis: A literature review.","authors":"Nora Shero, Valérie Giroux","doi":"10.1177/20533691251361018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20533691251361018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionRecent literature has explored the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in menopausal women experiencing psychosis. Menopause women with previous psychotic events in their lifetime experience psychotic symptoms at later peak due to the low estrogen production in their bodies, known as menopause-associated psychosis, which can potentially be improved with the help of HRT. This review aims to discuss the effects of HRT on menopausal women with psychosis by comparing studies with combination of antipsychotic drugs.MethodsA literature review using Ovid Medline search was used.ResultsThese results indicate that HRT may have a positive impact on mood and cognition to decrease the expression of psychotic signs. Some estrogen-derived treatments, such as SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator), might also improve the impact of the antipsychotics, giving the possibility of dosage reduction and fewer side effects.ConclusionSince the management of psychosis is challenging in menopausal women due to hormonal change and antipsychotic adjustment dosage, interdisciplinary management involving psychiatry, gynecology, and family medicine specialities is crucial. This approach can manage the hormonal, psychiatric, and overall medical issues of these patients, provide better psychiatric care, and improve their quality of life. Further research should validate the HRT protocols along with the enhancement of the technique when used in combination with antipsychotic drugs.</p>","PeriodicalId":52104,"journal":{"name":"Post reproductive health","volume":" ","pages":"20533691251361018"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144627707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Evgenia Stefanopoulou, Samantha Chapelle, David Lewis, Jan Larkin, Myra S Hunter
{"title":"A service evaluation of an online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy program for troublesome menopausal Hot Flushes and Night Sweats in work settings.","authors":"Evgenia Stefanopoulou, Samantha Chapelle, David Lewis, Jan Larkin, Myra S Hunter","doi":"10.1177/20533691251352044","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20533691251352044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveThe most frequently reported menopausal symptoms are hot flushes and night sweats (HFNS). This study evaluated the feasibility, and generated preliminary data on the efficacy, of a self-guided, internet-delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (iCBT) program for HFNS in working menopausal women.MethodsParticipants were UK employees who accessed the iCBT program via an Employee Assistance Program. Adherence consisted of 'non-starters', 'ended as planned (women who received at least 75% of support)' and 'completers'. Program usage, completion rates, user feedback and changes in outcome measures (HFNS frequency, problem-rating, anxiety, depression, work and social adjustment) were assessed.ResultsProgram activation rate was 61%. 426 women accessed an introductory session, with 213 completing the first iCBT session and 62 completing the program. Attrition ranged from 50% to 21% between sessions. Upon completion, there was a significant reduction in all outcome measures. Higher rates of reliable improvement were gained by those with higher anxiety and depression scores at baseline. Most women found the program helpful and easy to use.ConclusionsFindings suggest that an iCBT program for working women experiencing menopausal HFNS is feasible and promising in terms of efficacy. Further studies are needed to establish and implement effective retention strategies to improve compliance with and, thus, the efficacy of self-managed internet-based interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":52104,"journal":{"name":"Post reproductive health","volume":" ","pages":"20533691251352044"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144334388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Post reproductive healthPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-07-02DOI: 10.1177/20533691251350518
Rosie H Musgrave, Sara Nowakowski, Tamlyn J Watermeyer, Emily J Arentson-Lantz, Greg J Elder
{"title":"Dietary interventions to support and improve sleep disturbances and insomnia disorder in menopause: From bench to bedside.","authors":"Rosie H Musgrave, Sara Nowakowski, Tamlyn J Watermeyer, Emily J Arentson-Lantz, Greg J Elder","doi":"10.1177/20533691251350518","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20533691251350518","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sleep is essential for maintaining physical and psychological health, and also cognitive health (referred to as 'brain health'). However, the transition to menopause has a direct impact upon sleep. Sleep disturbances are reported by approximately 40%-60% of menopausal women, and insomnia disorder is also prevalent. Diet-based interventions could potentially be used to improve subjective sleep quality in this population, and although there are several promising interventions which have been used in other groups that could be trialled, the evidence base is currently lacking. One particularly promising area for future research is that these interventions might be used alongside, or instead of, established treatments for insomnia disorder. This may also help to prevent the development of longer-term insomnia disorder. Future studies should use well-controlled, adequately powered, clinical trial designs to assess the effectiveness of dietary interventions in improving subjective sleep quality, treating insomnia disorder, and preventing acute sleep disturbances from progressing to chronic insomnia. Given the strong association between sleep and neurodegeneration, optimizing sleep in menopausal women, using targeted diet-based strategies, may have significant implications for brain health.</p>","PeriodicalId":52104,"journal":{"name":"Post reproductive health","volume":"31 2","pages":"122-126"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231816/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144555686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Post reproductive healthPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-05-07DOI: 10.1177/20533691251340491
Marrium Liaquat, Anne Marie Minihane, David Vauzour, Matthew G Pontifex
{"title":"The gut microbiota in menopause: Is there a role for prebiotic and probiotic solutions?","authors":"Marrium Liaquat, Anne Marie Minihane, David Vauzour, Matthew G Pontifex","doi":"10.1177/20533691251340491","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20533691251340491","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The gut microbiota, comprising a diverse array of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, has emerged as a key player in human health. Emerging research indicates that this gut microbial composition is influenced by sex. These sex differences are not necessarily static and likely alter across the life course in response to several factors including changing hormone profile. As such, the menopause transition-a pivotal phase in female ageing in which the hormone profile changes dramatically is receiving increasing attention. Declining estrogen which occurs during menopause appears to influence the microbiota, which may in turn contribute to menopause-related conditions such as weight gain, bone health, cancer risk and cognitive health. The modulation of estrogen through the gut's 'estrobolome', a collection of bacterial genes involved in estrogen metabolism, may offer explanation for some of the interindividual differences observed during menopause (e.g. length, symptoms and disease risk). Therapeutic modulation of the gut microbiota therefore represents a potential approach towards managing menopausal symptoms. Indeed, prebiotics and probiotics such as <i>Lactobacillus</i> have been shown to increase bacterial diversity and improve metabolic and overall health in menopausal women. However, evidence remains limited regarding the specific underlying mechanisms, highlighting an urgent need for a research focus in the area. This review summarizes the current understanding of the gut microbiota's role in menopausal health and the potential of prebiotics and probiotics as therapeutic interventions. Further research into gut microbiota modulation may enable more effective, personalised treatments for menopause-associated health challenges, and supporting women's health into older ages.</p>","PeriodicalId":52104,"journal":{"name":"Post reproductive health","volume":" ","pages":"105-114"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12209548/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144045857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Post reproductive healthPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-05-02DOI: 10.1177/20533691251339566
Nicola Best
{"title":"Dietary patterns and their associations with body composition, cardiometabolic and bone health in postmenopausal women.","authors":"Nicola Best","doi":"10.1177/20533691251339566","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20533691251339566","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Menopause, occurring typically between ages 45 and 55, is associated with various physical and psychological symptoms and an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases, osteoporosis and obesity. <b>Purpose and Research Design:</b> This review examines the impact of healthy dietary patterns in postmenopausal women, focussing on recent literature on the Mediterranean Diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), the Portfolio diet and other national healthy eating guidelines.<b>Results:</b> Evidence suggests that adhering to one of these healthy dietary patterns can reduce the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and may benefit body composition and bone health.<b>Conclusions:</b> Although promising, the current evidence, primarily from observational studies, requires more extensive and long-term intervention trials to establish definite conclusions. This review underscores the importance of dietary choices in supporting postmenopausal health and highlights the need for comprehensive dietary strategies tailored to regional eating habits.</p>","PeriodicalId":52104,"journal":{"name":"Post reproductive health","volume":" ","pages":"87-95"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144058145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}