Poor sleep in middle-aged women is not associated with menopause per se

Whether sleep problems of menopausal women are associated with vasomotor symptoms and/or changes in estrogen levels associated with menopause or age-related changes in sleep architecture is unclear. This study aimed to determine if poor sleep in middle-aged women is correlated with menopause. This study recruited women seeking care for the first time at the menopause outpatient department of our hospital. Inclusion criteria were an age ≥40 years, not taking any medications for menopausal symptoms, and no sleeping problems or depression. Patients were assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), modified Kupperman Index (KI), and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). A PSQI score of <7 indicated no sleep disorder and ≥7 indicated a sleep disorder. Blood specimens were analyzed for follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels. A total of 244 women were included in the study; 103 (42.2%) were identified as having a sleep disorder and 141 as not having one. In addition, 156 (64%) women were postmenopausal and 88 (36%) were not menopausal. Follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels were similar between the groups. Patients with a sleep disorder had a significantly higher total modified KI score and total MRS score (both, P<0.001) compared with those without a sleep disorder. Correlations of the PSQI total score with the KI and MRS were similar in menopausal and non-menopausal women. These results do not support that menopause per se specifically contributes to sleep problems.

Correlation between Subjective and Objective Measurement of Climacteric Women's Hot Flashes

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to explain the phenomena of hot flashes in climacteric women by using Mexameter, Skin Thermometer, Corneometer, and Laser Doppler Perfusion Imager (LDPI) objectively and to identify the interrelation between the subjective and objective measurements of hot flashes by comparing the two as reported in retrospective questionnaires. METHODS: The participants were one hundred women (45-60 yr) who were not currently on hormone therapy, and had reached hot flash scores of 10 or higher. Hot flashes were measured in a temperature and humidity controlled room for 7 hr from 10 am to 5 pm. Hot flashes were measured subjectively and recorded via the Hot Flash Diary Report. When participants felt the hot flashes, they were measured objectively by Mexameter, Skin Thermometer, Corneometer, and LDPI. RESULTS: The frequency of hot flashes in participants ranged from 1 to 7 times. When hot flashes occurred in participants, the erythema, skin temperature, skin hydration, and blood perfusion showed statistically significant changes in all measurements. But, the subjective and objective measurements of hot flashes showed only weak correlations. CONCLUSION: Results indicate a need for future research with subjective and objective measuring instruments chosen depending variations identified for the study.

Climacteric complaints among very low-income women from a tropical region of Brazil / Sintomas climatéricos em mulheres com baixa renda de uma região tropical do Brasil

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Climacteric symptoms may vary between different countries and cultures. Socioeconomic factors and climate may be implicated. The aim of this study was to identify climacteric symptomatology among very low-income Brazilian women, living in a hot and humid region. DESIGN AND SETTING: This cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in Cuiabá, at Júlio Müller University Hospital, a tertiary institution. METHODS: The study enrolled 354 climacteric women. The variables analyzed were social class, symptomatology and abnormal concurrent conditions. The study was approved by the hospital's research ethics committee. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of the participants (232/354) were very poor and had had little schooling. The number of symptoms per woman was 8.0 ± 5.7. Hot flushes, nervousness, forgetfulness and fatigue were each found in nearly 60.0 percent. Tearfulness, depression, melancholy and insomnia were also frequent. Sexual problems were reported by 25 percent. The most relevant concurrent abnormal conditions reported were hypertension (33.9 percent), obesity (26.5 percent), arthritis/arthrosis (15.0 percent) and diabetes mellitus (9.6 percent). Hot flushes were associated with tearfulness, nervousness and forgetfulness. CONCLUSION: Brazilian climacteric women of low income and low schooling present multiple symptoms. Vasomotor and psychosexual symptoms were the most prevalent disorders. Hot flushes were associated with nervousness, forgetfulness and tearfulness.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Sintomas climatérios podem mudar em diferentes culturas e países. Aspectos sócio-econômicos e clima podem estar envolvidos. Este estudo tem como proposta identificar os sintomas em mulheres climatéricas brasileiras de baixa renda de uma região quente e úmida do Brasil. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo de coorte transversal, realizado no Hospital Universitário Julio Muller em Cuiabá. MÉTODOS: Este estudo incluiu todas as 354 mulheres climatéricas do Distrito Oeste de Cuiabá. Incluiu-se na análise as variáveis classe social, sintomas e doenças coexistentes. Possíveis associações foram examinadas pelo teste chi2 e regressão logística. RESULTADOS: 65 por cento das pacientes eram muito pobres e de baixa escolaridade. O número médio de sintomas referidos por mulher foi de 8.0 ± 5.7. Fogachos, nervosismo, esquecimento e fadiga foram encontrados em quase 60 por cento das mulheres. Choro imotivado, melancolia, depressão e insônia também foram freqüentes. Disfunções sexuais foram relatadas por cerca de 25 por cento das mulheres. Fogachos foram associados com esquecimento, nervosismo e choro imotivado. As doenças coexistentes mais freqüentes foram hipertensão arterial (33,9 por cento), obesidade (26,5 por cento), artrite/artrose (15,0 por cento) e diabetes mellitus (9,6 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: Mulheres climatéricas brasileiras de baixa renda e baixa escolaridade são plurisintomáticas. Os sintomas vasomotores e psicosexuais foram os mais prevalentes. Fogachos foram associados a nervosismo, esquecimento e choro imotivado.