Yes, you can...Katy Hayward had hot flashes and irregular periods, but when she couldn't get pregnant, the doctors reassured her that she was in 'peak health'.
She insisted on seeing a specialist and at just 28, was told she had gone into early menopause.
In fact 1 woman in 1,000 goes through early menopause while still under 30 years old, 1 in a 100 whilst under 40 and 5 in a 100 when they are under 45.
Because of the loss of estrogen this condition causes, early menopause in women can lead to an increase in bone loss and fractures and more chance of having a stroke and heart attack.
Dr Beth Cartwright, from the Menopause Research Unit at Guy's Hospital London hopes to make things better for women like Katy, by undertaking a study, as there is so little known about the condition that they do not even know the best treatment regime.
If you're interested in taking part in this study, contact Dr Beth Cartwright, Menopause Research Unit at Guy's Hospital on 020 7188 3024 or email her at beth.cartwrightatkcl.ac.uk, replacing the at with @.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Phytoestogens Study receives $8 million to research its effects on health
A Study being conducted on the effects of phytoestrogens on health will get an $8 million boost from the National Institutes of Health. The Botanical Research Center which is based at the University of Illinois, will draw on the expertise of a multidisciplinary team of researchers to address the many unknowns associated with use of botanical estrogens.
These plants and plant-based compounds are often marketed as aids to prevent cancer, promote healthy aging or relieve menopausal symptoms. Researchers from Illinois, the University of Mississippi, Oregon State University and the FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research will contribute to the five-year effort.
Many women take plant-based estrogens (also called phytoestrogens) that are advertised as natural - and, they presume, safer - alternatives to hormone-replacement therapy.
Foods, supplements and extracts made from soy, licorice root, wild yam and dong quai, for example, are believed to reduce the occurrence of hot flashes, improve sex drive, lower the incidence or prevent the recurrence of breast cancer, enhance mental function or treat other health problems.
Today, phytoestrogens are added to teas and energy drinks, used as food additives and marketed as nutritional supplements. The estrogenic components of the plants - such as the isoflavone genistein in soy - are often extracted and used in highly concentrated form.
Research into their efficacy and safety has yielded mixed results. Consumption of some plants or extracts appears to reduce the risk of some cancers or minimize some of the unpleasant symptoms associated with menopause, while others have no effect. Still other studies, some of them conducted at Illinois, have found that certain phytoestrogens may actually induce cognitive problems, increase the recurrence of breast cancer and interfere with breast cancer treatment.
"The types of botanical estrogens that are being marketed are getting more and more potent," said William Helferich, a professor of food science and human nutrition at Illinois and the director of the new center. "We want to see if they really are effective or detrimental."
The new grant supports three projects led by Illinois faculty. The projects will explore whether and how phytoestrogens from soy, licorice root, dong quai and wild yam affect various tissues, influence gene expression or other cellular processes, increase or decrease the growth and metastasis of breast cancer tumors, influence bone loss or alter the rate of cognitive decline in aging.
View the original article here
These plants and plant-based compounds are often marketed as aids to prevent cancer, promote healthy aging or relieve menopausal symptoms. Researchers from Illinois, the University of Mississippi, Oregon State University and the FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research will contribute to the five-year effort.
Many women take plant-based estrogens (also called phytoestrogens) that are advertised as natural - and, they presume, safer - alternatives to hormone-replacement therapy.
Foods, supplements and extracts made from soy, licorice root, wild yam and dong quai, for example, are believed to reduce the occurrence of hot flashes, improve sex drive, lower the incidence or prevent the recurrence of breast cancer, enhance mental function or treat other health problems.
Today, phytoestrogens are added to teas and energy drinks, used as food additives and marketed as nutritional supplements. The estrogenic components of the plants - such as the isoflavone genistein in soy - are often extracted and used in highly concentrated form.
Research into their efficacy and safety has yielded mixed results. Consumption of some plants or extracts appears to reduce the risk of some cancers or minimize some of the unpleasant symptoms associated with menopause, while others have no effect. Still other studies, some of them conducted at Illinois, have found that certain phytoestrogens may actually induce cognitive problems, increase the recurrence of breast cancer and interfere with breast cancer treatment.
"The types of botanical estrogens that are being marketed are getting more and more potent," said William Helferich, a professor of food science and human nutrition at Illinois and the director of the new center. "We want to see if they really are effective or detrimental."
The new grant supports three projects led by Illinois faculty. The projects will explore whether and how phytoestrogens from soy, licorice root, dong quai and wild yam affect various tissues, influence gene expression or other cellular processes, increase or decrease the growth and metastasis of breast cancer tumors, influence bone loss or alter the rate of cognitive decline in aging.
View the original article here
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Hot Flashes May Be Improved By Weight Loss
According to a report in one of the JAMA journals an intensive weight loss intervention program may lead to improvements in flushing amongst overweight and obese women with bothersome hot flushes during menopause.
"Hot flushes are among the most common concerns of women during menopause and persist for five or more years past menopause in as many as one-third of women," the authors write as background to the article. "In multiple observational studies, women with a higher body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) have reported more frequent or severe hot flushes compared with women with a lower BMI."
In a six-month randomized controlled trial, Alison J. Huang, M.D., from the University of California, San Francisco and her collegues, used self-administered questionnaires to assess bothersome hot flushes. The authors studied 338 women with an average age of 53, who were overweight or obese.
What they found was that in the initial stages, decreases in weight, BMI and abdominal circumference decreased the hot flashes according to the women themselves.
What's more this reduction in hot flushes was not found to be caused by the change in lifestyle, ie exercise, calorie intake etc.
"Hot flushes are among the most common concerns of women during menopause and persist for five or more years past menopause in as many as one-third of women," the authors write as background to the article. "In multiple observational studies, women with a higher body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) have reported more frequent or severe hot flushes compared with women with a lower BMI."
In a six-month randomized controlled trial, Alison J. Huang, M.D., from the University of California, San Francisco and her collegues, used self-administered questionnaires to assess bothersome hot flushes. The authors studied 338 women with an average age of 53, who were overweight or obese.
What they found was that in the initial stages, decreases in weight, BMI and abdominal circumference decreased the hot flashes according to the women themselves.
What's more this reduction in hot flushes was not found to be caused by the change in lifestyle, ie exercise, calorie intake etc.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
HRT Increases Risk of Dementia
Even though many women feel that their memory is no longer as sharp as it was before the menopause, apparently that is not the case.
Researchers say the myth of memory loss during menopause is a perception some women have because as they went through menopause, they felt their memory wasn't as sharp as it had been before.
Demantia, which is an age related condition can however affect women as they grow older.
It was believed at one time that hormone replacement therapy could prevent this.
Studies suggesting that hormone replacement therapy might protect against dementia strengthened that belief. However, a large study later found that in older women, hormone replacement therapy not only didn't help protect women from dementia, but could actually increase the risk.
Researchers say the myth of memory loss during menopause is a perception some women have because as they went through menopause, they felt their memory wasn't as sharp as it had been before.
Demantia, which is an age related condition can however affect women as they grow older.
It was believed at one time that hormone replacement therapy could prevent this.
Studies suggesting that hormone replacement therapy might protect against dementia strengthened that belief. However, a large study later found that in older women, hormone replacement therapy not only didn't help protect women from dementia, but could actually increase the risk.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Menopause Not The Only Factor Affecting Sexuality in Middle Aged Women
Sexual activity amongst menopausal women differs greatly between individuals according to new research from the University of Sheffield
It suggests that rather than hormonal changes during the menopause, external factors such as a partner's reduced libido, depth of relationship and caring for a relative had more of an impact on sexual satisfaction during the menopause.
Dr Sharron Hinchcliff says "biological research tends to report the negative impact of declining hormone levels on womens' ability to engage in and enjoy sexual activities, whereas our study found that some women actually saw an increase in sexual desire during this time”
The study concludes that the menopause is not the only factor that affects a woman's sexuality after a certain age and that lifestyle changes in mid-life also affect it.
It suggests that rather than hormonal changes during the menopause, external factors such as a partner's reduced libido, depth of relationship and caring for a relative had more of an impact on sexual satisfaction during the menopause.
Dr Sharron Hinchcliff says "biological research tends to report the negative impact of declining hormone levels on womens' ability to engage in and enjoy sexual activities, whereas our study found that some women actually saw an increase in sexual desire during this time”
The study concludes that the menopause is not the only factor that affects a woman's sexuality after a certain age and that lifestyle changes in mid-life also affect it.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Test to Predict Menopause Age
A blood test measuring AMH which is a hormone found in a woman's ovaries can predict the age at which a woman is likely to reach menopause, and thus give an idea as to when she is likely to stop being fertile. This is usually about a decade before menopause age.
This test is particularly useful for women who have an early menopause and would allow them to plan their family accordingly.
Scientists in Iran have carried out a new study that has used this test to predict menopause, and have found that it is accurate to within about a third of a year.
Read more about Fertility and Menopause...
This test is particularly useful for women who have an early menopause and would allow them to plan their family accordingly.
Scientists in Iran have carried out a new study that has used this test to predict menopause, and have found that it is accurate to within about a third of a year.
Read more about Fertility and Menopause...
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Keep Using Contraceptives Until After The Menopause...
The Family Planning Association has launched a new campaign called Conceivable aimed at women aged 35 and over, which reminds women to stay vigilant about unplanned pregnancy and to keep using contraception until after the menopause if they do not wish to become pregnant.
They are doing this because experts fear older women are ditching contraception in the mistaken belief that they cannot get pregnant past a certain age. Although fertility does wane, women can still get pregnant well into their thirties, forties and even fifties.
According to the Family Planning Association, abortion rates for women aged 40 to 44 match those for the under 16s, figures for England and Wales show.
In 2008, both of these groups had an abortion rate of four per 1,000 women.
There are many reasons why some women opt for an abortion, including birth abnormalities in the baby, which are more common when the mothers are older.
But FPA says its anecdotal evidence suggests some of the abortions are because women wrongly assumed they could not get pregnant because they were too old.
So be forewarned, do not ditch that contraceptive too soon...
They are doing this because experts fear older women are ditching contraception in the mistaken belief that they cannot get pregnant past a certain age. Although fertility does wane, women can still get pregnant well into their thirties, forties and even fifties.
According to the Family Planning Association, abortion rates for women aged 40 to 44 match those for the under 16s, figures for England and Wales show.
In 2008, both of these groups had an abortion rate of four per 1,000 women.
There are many reasons why some women opt for an abortion, including birth abnormalities in the baby, which are more common when the mothers are older.
But FPA says its anecdotal evidence suggests some of the abortions are because women wrongly assumed they could not get pregnant because they were too old.
So be forewarned, do not ditch that contraceptive too soon...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The risk of Gout in Women increases with age, obesity, hypertension, diuretic and alcohol use
—Gout is a common and excruciatingly painful inflammatory arthritis caused by elevated uric acid levels in the blood. When too much uric acid builds up in joint fluid, uric acid crystals form and cause joint swelling and inflammation.
Historically, gout was seen as a male disease, however growing evidence suggests the disease is also a concern for older women.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that women with serum uric acid levels over 5 mg/dl had a significantly lower risk of developing gout than men, even though the Rochester Epidemiology project study found the incidence of gout has doubled among women over the past 20 years.
The research team led by Dr Hyon Choi, analyzed data from the Framingham Heart Study for 2,476 women and 1,951 men who had a complete follow-up history and who were free of gout at baseline.
This study, the first to examine the relationship between uric acid levels and gout risk in women, also evaluated purported risk factors for gout and found that increasing age, obesity, hypertension, alcohol use, and diuretic use to be among leading contributors for women.
However, researchers found only a stronger age effect among women placed them at higher risk factors for gout than men. The age-adjusted relative risk (RR) of gout in post-menopausal women was 4.18 and the RR for gout in women using hormone replacement therapy was 0.24. Other risk factors did not differ significantly between women and men.
They found that higher levels of uric acid in the blood increase the risk gout risk for women in a graded manner. The risk of gout among women with serum uric acid levels ≥8 mg/dl was 46 times higher than that among women whose levels were <5 mg/dl.
However, results show that overall, magnitude of the association between gout and uric acid blood levels among women was significantly lower than for men.
View the Original article
Historically, gout was seen as a male disease, however growing evidence suggests the disease is also a concern for older women.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that women with serum uric acid levels over 5 mg/dl had a significantly lower risk of developing gout than men, even though the Rochester Epidemiology project study found the incidence of gout has doubled among women over the past 20 years.
The research team led by Dr Hyon Choi, analyzed data from the Framingham Heart Study for 2,476 women and 1,951 men who had a complete follow-up history and who were free of gout at baseline.
This study, the first to examine the relationship between uric acid levels and gout risk in women, also evaluated purported risk factors for gout and found that increasing age, obesity, hypertension, alcohol use, and diuretic use to be among leading contributors for women.
However, researchers found only a stronger age effect among women placed them at higher risk factors for gout than men. The age-adjusted relative risk (RR) of gout in post-menopausal women was 4.18 and the RR for gout in women using hormone replacement therapy was 0.24. Other risk factors did not differ significantly between women and men.
They found that higher levels of uric acid in the blood increase the risk gout risk for women in a graded manner. The risk of gout among women with serum uric acid levels ≥8 mg/dl was 46 times higher than that among women whose levels were <5 mg/dl.
However, results show that overall, magnitude of the association between gout and uric acid blood levels among women was significantly lower than for men.
View the Original article
Friday, April 09, 2010
Effect of soy isoflavones on bone loss in postmenopausal women is minimal
A new study now indicates that the effect of incorporating soya isoflavones on bone density is minimal.
Previously, in a study lasting 6 months, Iowa State University researchers had indicated that consuming modest amounts of soy protein, rich in isoflavones, lessened lumbar spine bone loss in midlife, peri and post menopausal women.
The same researchers expanded the study to 3 years and found that this was not the case.
The new study calls into question the value of postmenopausal women consuming soy isoflavone tablets to help lessen bone loss and minimize the effect of osteoporosis.
Professor D. Lee Alekel, one of the researchers feels that when it comes to minimizing the consequences of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, we should take a more holistic approach. She says, "People, in general, would like an easy fix. We would all like soy isoflavones to be that magic pill, but this study has found that they are not."
Wise words I think and to be remembered whatever condition we are trying to heal.
View the Original article
Previously, in a study lasting 6 months, Iowa State University researchers had indicated that consuming modest amounts of soy protein, rich in isoflavones, lessened lumbar spine bone loss in midlife, peri and post menopausal women.
The same researchers expanded the study to 3 years and found that this was not the case.
The new study calls into question the value of postmenopausal women consuming soy isoflavone tablets to help lessen bone loss and minimize the effect of osteoporosis.
Professor D. Lee Alekel, one of the researchers feels that when it comes to minimizing the consequences of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, we should take a more holistic approach. She says, "People, in general, would like an easy fix. We would all like soy isoflavones to be that magic pill, but this study has found that they are not."
Wise words I think and to be remembered whatever condition we are trying to heal.
View the Original article
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Could shrinking in post-menopausal women be due to spinal fracture?
ScienceDaily (Mar. 24, 2010) —
Apparently the loss of height in postmenopausal women may indicate a vertebral fracture according to an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Apparently the loss of height in postmenopausal women may indicate a vertebral fracture according to an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Shrinking in height is common as people age and is associated with back pain. Reasons include changes in the curvature of the spine, narrowing of intervertebral discs and vertebral fractures. Two-thirds of adults have back pain at any time. It is not known if the benefits outweigh the harm of unnecessary radiographs and so diagnosing these treatable disorders is controversial.
Researchers from France conducted a study to compare postmenopausal women and analyze reasons for height loss. The study included 1779 randomly selected general practitioners who were each asked to recruit five female patients over the age of 60. A total of 8610 patients were included in the study.
"We observed a mean loss of height of 4.5 cm since early adulthood in a large population of postmenopausal women in primary care practices," writes coauthor Dr. Karine Briot of Hôpital Cochin and Université Paris Descartes in France. "We found that the risk of an existing vertebral fracture was significantly higher among patients with a height loss of at least 4 cm."
The authors conclude that measurement of height loss could be an accurate method for detecting vertebral fractures. As the actual height of women was different from what the patients reported, GPs need to measure the patients accurately themselves and not rely on estimates. This could indicate whether there may be a spinal fracture and whether further diagnostic tests are required instead of x-raying all patients
Story Source: MLA Canadian Medical Association Journal (2010, March 24). Height loss in postmenopausal
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