Effective treatment of menopause: A Synthesis of Findings from 16 Studies

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Original Abstract of the Article

Major research findings

Menopause is a natural process that all women go through, and it can come with a range of symptoms that can affect a woman's quality of life. Some women experience premature menopause, which can be a major concern, especially for younger women who are undergoing treatment for breast cancer. 7 Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been the traditional treatment for menopausal symptoms, but it is often contraindicated for women with a history of breast cancer. 7 While some non-hormonal medications are available, they often come with their own set of side effects. 7 However, growing evidence suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and physical exercise may offer a more natural and beneficial approach to managing menopausal symptoms. 7

The research suggests that while HRT is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, it may not be a viable option for everyone due to increased risk of breast cancer, and other health conditions. 11 However, alternative treatments such as CBT and exercise have shown promise in managing various menopausal symptoms. 7 15

Treatment Summary

Menopausal symptoms can be effectively managed through a variety of treatments. HRT remains a primary option but is not suitable for all women due to potential risks. 11 Non-hormonal options like CBT and exercise are showing increasing promise in managing menopausal symptoms, particularly for women with a history of breast cancer. 7 15 Additionally, non-hormonal medications like desvenlafaxine have demonstrated effectiveness in treating hot flashes but come with significant side effects and risks. 9

Benefits and Risks

Benefits Summary

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and physical exercise show promise in reducing the severity and frequency of hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood swings associated with menopause. 15 HRT remains a highly effective treatment for hot flashes and vaginal dryness. 10 However, it's important to note that HRT carries a risk of increasing breast cancer risk. 11

Risks Summary

HRT comes with a potential increased risk of breast cancer and endometrial hyperplasia, as well as other side effects. 11 Non-hormonal medications can lead to side effects like nausea, dizziness, and gastrointestinal issues. 9

Research Comparisons

Research Similarities

Across various studies, it's clear that menopausal symptoms can significantly impact a woman's quality of life. HRT remains a primary treatment, but it's critical to consider the potential risks associated with it, especially for women with a history of breast cancer. 11

Research Differences

There are discrepancies in the effectiveness of specific treatment modalities. 15 Some studies emphasize the effectiveness of CBT and exercise, while others show more limited results. 7 The risks and benefits associated with HRT can also vary depending on the study. 11

Consistency and Contradictions in Findings

The research on menopause treatment shows inconsistencies, possibly due to variations in study designs, participant characteristics, and treatment protocols. 11 7 15

Applying Findings to Daily Life: Things to Keep in Mind

Choosing the right treatment for menopause is crucial. 11 When considering HRT, carefully weigh the potential risks, particularly the increased risk of breast cancer. 11 Non-hormonal options such as CBT and exercise can be effective alternatives. 7 15 If your symptoms are not improving, talk to your doctor to explore other treatment options. 11

Limitations of Current Research

Research on menopause treatment is still ongoing, and there is a need for more extensive long-term studies to fully understand the effectiveness and safety of different treatments. 11

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on developing safe and effective long-term treatments for menopausal symptoms. 11 More research is also needed to develop preventive strategies and early detection methods for menopausal symptoms.

Conclusion

Menopause is a significant event in a woman's life that can bring about a variety of symptoms. 11 Choosing the right treatment can significantly improve a woman's quality of life. 11 HRT is the most effective option for some, but it comes with risks. 11 Non-hormonal treatments, such as CBT and exercise, can also be beneficial. 7 15 If your symptoms aren't improving, it is crucial to consult your doctor for a personalized treatment plan. 11

If you are experiencing menopausal symptoms, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.

Treatment List

  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Physical exercise
  • Non-hormonal medications (e.g. desvenlafaxine)
  • Yoga
  • Relaxation therapy
Literature analysis of 16 papers
Positive Content
14
Neutral Content
2
Negative Content
0
Article Type
4
5
9
9
16
1.

Estrogen replacement therapy after treatment for localized breast carcinoma. Patient responses and opinions.

Author: Vassilopoulou-SellinR, KleinM J

Improved quality of life
Estrogen-related risks

This study discusses the controversy surrounding estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for women who have reached menopause after breast cancer treatment. The study highlights the need for prospective research and explores potential participants' attitudes and expectations regarding ERT.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

2.

Hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women: endometrial hyperplasia and irregular bleeding.

Author: LethabyA, FarquharC, SarkisA, RobertsH, JepsonR, BarlowD

Effective treatment
Endometrial stimulation

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is effective for menopausal symptoms, but estrogen alone can increase the risk of uterine problems in women with a uterus. Adding progestin reduces this risk but can cause side effects like bleeding and spotting, which may lead to women stopping HRT.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.
Systematic ReviewA review that systematically collects, evaluates, and integrates relevant research to answer a specific research question.

Language : English

3.

Menopausal symptoms in older women and the effects of treatment with hormone therapy.

Author: BarnabeiVanessa M, GradyDeborah, StovallDale W, CauleyJane A, LinFeng, StuenkelCynthia A, StefanickMarcia L, PickarJames H

Reduced hot flashes
Reduced trouble sleeping
Reduced vaginal dryness
Breast symptoms
Genital irritation
Uterine bleeding
Vaginal discharge

Symptoms associated with menopause are common in elderly women. Postmenopausal hormone therapy reduces hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and vaginal dryness, but at standard doses in elderly women is associated with vaginal discharge, genital irritation, uterine bleeding, and breast symptoms.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

4.

Hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women: endometrial hyperplasia and irregular bleeding.

Author: LethabyA, SucklingJ, BarlowD, FarquharC M, JepsonR G, RobertsH

Menopause treatment

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is effective for menopausal symptoms, but estrogen alone can increase the risk of uterine problems in women with a uterus. Adding progestin reduces this risk but can cause side effects like bleeding and spotting, which may lead to women stopping HRT.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.
Systematic ReviewA review that systematically collects, evaluates, and integrates relevant research to answer a specific research question.

Language : English

5.

Therapeutic options for the management of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors: an evidence-based review.

Author: BordeleauLouise, PritchardKathleen, GoodwinPamela, LoprinziCharles

Treat menopausal symptoms

This study highlights the need for non-hormonal alternatives for managing menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes, in women with breast cancer, considering the potential risks of hormonal treatments.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.
Systematic ReviewA review that systematically collects, evaluates, and integrates relevant research to answer a specific research question.

Language : English

6.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of donepezil for the treatment of menopause-related cognitive loss.

Author: DeviGayatri, MassimiSteve, SchultzSarah, KhosrowshahiLynn, LaaksoUlla K

Women approaching and going through menopause often report memory problems more than women who are not yet menopausal. While the link between menopause and cognitive decline is debated, recent studies on hormone therapy have led many women and doctors to seek non-hormonal treatments for menopausal symptoms, including memory issues.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

7.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and physical exercise for climacteric symptoms in breast cancer patients experiencing treatment-induced menopause: design of a multicenter trial.

Author: DuijtsSaskia F A, OldenburgHester S A, van BeurdenMarc, AaronsonNeil K

CBT for menopause symptoms
Exercise for menopause symptoms
Hormone therapy contraindicated
Non-hormonal side effects

This study investigates the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and physical exercise in managing treatment-induced menopause in women with breast cancer. Hormone replacement therapy is not an option for these women, and non-hormonal medications can have side effects.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Multicenter StudyResearch conducted in collaboration with multiple research institutions. It aims to collect a wide range of data and obtain more generalizable results.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

8.

Sex steroids to maintain cognitive function in women after the menopause: a meta-analyses of treatment trials.

Author: HogervorstEef, BandelowStephan

Cognitive function improvement

Whether estrogen treatment after menopause improves cognitive function in women is still debated. While research shows estrogen can have positive effects on the aging brain and observational studies show a lower risk of dementia in women who took estrogen around menopause, large clinical trials have shown negative effects of long-term estrogen use in older women. This review found that the age of women or the time since menopause when treatment began did not affect outcomes, and it didn't matter if women had symptoms or not. However, the length of treatment did matter, with longer studies showing more negative effects and short-term studies (less than 4 months) showing mainly positive effects. Estrogen combined with progesterone also had negative effects. More research is needed to determine if short-term treatment or intermittent treatment could have long-term benefits for women with menopausal symptoms.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Meta-AnalysisA statistical technique that integrates the results of multiple studies to draw more general conclusions about a particular issue.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.

Language : English

9.

Is desvenlafaxine effective and safe in the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms? A meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized double-blind controlled studies.

Author: BerhanYifru, BerhanAsres

Hot flashes reduced
Adverse events
Treatment discontinuation

A meta-analysis of double-blind randomized controlled studies found that desvenlafaxine was effective in reducing the number and severity of hot flashes, but it was strongly associated with several adverse events and treatment discontinuation.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Meta-AnalysisA statistical technique that integrates the results of multiple studies to draw more general conclusions about a particular issue.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.

Language : English

10.

Hormone Therapy for Relieving Postmenopausal Vasomotor Symptoms: A Systematic Review.

Author: AbdiFatemeh, MobediHamid, MosaffaNariman, DolatianMahrokh, Ramezani TehraniFahimeh

MHT for VMS

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the most effective treatment for relieving postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS), which are experienced by the majority of women. This review focuses on the use of hormone therapy for VMS.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.
Systematic ReviewA review that systematically collects, evaluates, and integrates relevant research to answer a specific research question.

Language : English

12.

Clinical trials in menopause.

Author: MarkoKathryn I, SimonJames A

Improved menopause treatment

Research on menopause treatments has undergone significant scrutiny over the years, leading to changes in how menopausal symptoms are managed. This study focuses on key research that has shaped this debate and highlights new research related to hormone therapy (HT) and the risk of vascular disease in menopause.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Meta-AnalysisA statistical technique that integrates the results of multiple studies to draw more general conclusions about a particular issue.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.

Language : English

13.

Mindfulness, cognitive behavioural and behaviour-based therapy for natural and treatment-induced menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Author: van DrielC M, StuursmaA, SchroeversM J, MouritsM J, de BockG H

Psychological intervention efficacy
Hot flush bother
Menopause symptom relief

This review examined the effectiveness of psychological interventions for reducing menopause symptoms. Twelve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Psychological interventions reduced hot flush bother in the short and medium-term and menopausal symptoms in the short-term.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Meta-AnalysisA statistical technique that integrates the results of multiple studies to draw more general conclusions about a particular issue.
Systematic ReviewA review that systematically collects, evaluates, and integrates relevant research to answer a specific research question.

Language : English

14.

Efficacy of progestin-only treatment for the management of menopausal symptoms: a systematic review.

Author: DolitskyShelley N, Cordeiro MitchellChristina N, StadlerSarah Sheehan, SegarsJames H

Menopausal symptom treatment

Menopause can cause a variety of bothersome symptoms for women, including mood swings, hot flashes, sleep problems, and fatigue. While progesterone is often used with estrogen to treat these symptoms, there is no clear consensus on the best way to use progesterone alone for women who can't take estrogen. This study aims to find the most effective dose and form of progesterone for women experiencing menopause.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.
Systematic ReviewA review that systematically collects, evaluates, and integrates relevant research to answer a specific research question.

Language : English

15.

Efficacy of cognitive therapy and behavior therapy for menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Author: YeMengfei, ShouMengna, ZhangJian, HuBaiqi, LiuChunyan, BiChenchen, LvTingting, LuoFangyi, ZhangZeying, LiangShenglin, FengHong, QianChao, CaoShilin, LiuZheng

Menopausal symptom relief

This study aims to assess the long-term effects of cognitive and behavioral therapy (CTBT) for menopausal symptoms, specifically if the effects differ between natural and treatment-induced menopause.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Meta-AnalysisA statistical technique that integrates the results of multiple studies to draw more general conclusions about a particular issue.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.
Systematic ReviewA review that systematically collects, evaluates, and integrates relevant research to answer a specific research question.

Language : English

16.

Sexual Function and Mood Disorders Among Menopausal Women: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Author: RahmaniAzam, AfsharniaElahe, FedotovaJulia, ShahbaziShirin, FallahiArezoo, AllahqoliLeila, Ghanei-GheshlaghReza, AbboudSarah, AlkatoutIbrahim

Improved mood disorders
Improved sexual function

Sexual dysfunction and mood disorders are common among peri- and postmenopausal women, and screening for both is recommended.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Systematic ReviewA review that systematically collects, evaluates, and integrates relevant research to answer a specific research question.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

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