Climacteric Symptoms (climacteric + symptom)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Acute intermittent porphyria in women: clinical expression, use and experience of exogenous sex hormones.

JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2003
A population-based study in northern Sweden
Abstract., Andersson C, Innala E, Bäckström T (University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden). Acute intermittent porphyria in women: clinical expression, use and experience of exogenous sex hormones. A population-based study in northern Sweden. J Intern Med 2003; 254: 176,183. Objective., To describe the clinical expression of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) in women, their use of exogenous sex hormones, and the effects on AIP. Design., A retrospective population-based study. Subjects., All women aged ,18 years (n = 190) with DNA-diagnosed AIP in northern Sweden. Results., A total of 166 women (87%) participated; 91 (55%) had manifest AIP. Severe attacks were reported by 82%; 39% reported recurrent premenstrual AIP attacks and 22% reported chronic AIP symptoms. Oral hormonal contraceptives had been used by 58% of all these women and by 50 with manifest AIP (57%). Twelve women (24%) associated oral contraceptives as precipitating AIP attacks; in nine cases their first attack. One woman experienced relief from AIP symptoms. On commencing their treatment, 72% of the women with manifest AIP had not yet suffered their first attack. Twenty-two women (25%) aged ,45 years had used hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) at menopause to remedy climacteric symptoms (the percutaneous route was most frequently used); no AIP attack was precipitated. HRT to remedy vaginal dryness was used by 26 women (28%) aged ,45 years without triggering an AIP attack. Miscarriages were more frequent in women with manifest AIP (50%) than in the latent group (30%, P = 0.014). Conclusions., About half of the women with AIP had used oral hormonal contraceptives. As 25% of women with manifest AIP reported attacks associated with such drugs, caution must still be recommended. Menopausal HRT only rarely affected the disorder. Miscarriage was more common amongst women with manifest AIP. [source]


Tibolone Rapidly Attenuates the GABAB Response in Hypothalamic Neurones

JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 12 2008
J. Qiu
Tibolone is primarily used for the treatment of climacteric symptoms. Tibolone is rapidly converted into three major metabolites: 3,- and 3,-hydroxy (OH)-tibolone, which have oestrogenic effects, and the ,4-isomer (,4-tibolone), which has progestogenic and androgenic effects. Because tibolone is effective in treating climacteric symptoms, the effects on the brain may be explained by the oestrogenic activity of tibolone. Using whole-cell patch clamp recording, we found previously that 17,-oestradiol (E2) rapidly altered ,-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission in hypothalamic neurones through a membrane oestrogen receptor (mER). E2 reduced the potency of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen to activate G-protein-coupled, inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels in hypothalamic neurones. Therefore, we hypothesised that tibolone may have some rapid effects through the mER and sought to elucidate the signalling pathway of tibolone's action using selective inhibitors and whole cell recording in ovariectomised female guinea pigs and mice. A sub-population of neurones was identified post hoc as pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurones by immunocytochemical staining. Similar to E2, we have found that tibolone and its active metabolite 3,OH-tibolone rapidly reduced the potency of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen to activate GIRK channels in POMC neurones. The effects were blocked by the ER antagonist ICI 182 780. Other metabolites of tibolone (3,OH-tibolone and ,4-tibolone) had no effect. Furthermore, tibolone (and 3,OH-tibolone) was fully efficacious in ER, knockout (KO) and ER,KO mice to attenuate GABAB responses. The effects of tibolone were blocked by phospholipase C inhibitor U73122. However, in contrast to E2, the effects of tibolone were not blocked by protein kinase C inhibitors or protein kinase A inhibitors. It appears that tibolone (and 3,OH-tibolone) activates phospholipase C leading to phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate metabolism and direct alteration of GIRK channel function. Therefore, tibolone may enhance synaptic efficacy through the Gq signalling pathways of mER in brain circuits that are critical for maintaining homeostatic functions. [source]


Longitudinal study of a health education program for Japanese women in menopause

NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES, Issue 2 2009
Masumi Ueda phd
Abstract In this longitudinal intervention study, a 6 week health education program consisting of lectures and exercises was implemented for 39 Japanese menopausal women. The effects of the program were assessed by measuring their exercise participation, climacteric symptoms, and quality of life immediately before, 6 weeks after, and 1 year after the program. The Simplified Menopausal Index was used to assess the climacteric symptoms and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health (SF-36) Survey was used to assess the quality of life. Significant improvements were observed in the subscale score for general health perception and the summary score for the physical component summary in the SF-36 Survey. Favorable results also were found for women without a previous exercise habit before the program but who participated in regular exercise 1 year after the program. No improvements were observed in the climacteric symptoms. We concluded that our program was effective for menopausal women in spite of the intervention period being relatively short. [source]


Endocrine Aspects of Female Sexual Dysfunction

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2004
Susan R. Davis MD
ABSTRACT Introduction., Various endogenous hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, progesterone and prolactin, may influence female sexual function. Aim., To provide recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of women with endocrinologic sexual difficulties. Methods., The Endocrine Aspects of Female Sexual Dysfunction Committee was part of a multidisciplinary International Consultation. It included four experts from two countries and several peer reviewers. Main Outcome Measure., Expert opinion was based on committee discussion, a comprehensive literature review and evidence-based grading of available publications. Results., The impact of hormones on female sexual function and their etiological roles in dysfunction is complex. Research data are limited as studies have been hampered by lack of precise hormonal assays and validated measures of sexual function in women. Sex steroid insufficiency is associated with urogenital atrophy and may also adversely affect central sexual thought processes. Systemic estrogen/estrogen progestin therapy alleviates climacteric symptoms but there is no evidence that this therapy specifically improves hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal or postmenopausal women. Exogenous testosterone has been shown in small randomized controlled trials (RCT) to improve sexual desire, arousal and sexual satisfaction in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. However, as there is no biochemical measure that clearly identifies who to treat, use of exogenous testosterone should be considered only after other causes of HSDD have been excluded, such as depression, relationship problems and ill health. The clinical assessment of HSDD should include detailed medical, gynecologic, sexual and psychosocial history and physical examination including the external/internal genitalia. Hormonal therapy should be individualized and risks/benefits fully discussed, and all treated women should be carefully followed up and monitored for therapeutic side effects. Conclusions., There is a need for prospective, multi-institutional clinical trials to define safe and effective endocrine treatments for female sexual dysfunction. [source]


Effects of tibolone and continuous combined hormone replacement therapy on bleeding rates, quality of life and tolerability in postmenopausal women

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 8 2002
J. Huber
Objective To compare the effects of tibolone and conjugated equine oestrogens continuously combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate on bleeding rates, quality of life (QoL) and tolerability. Design A double-blind, randomised comparative trial. Setting Thirty-seven centres in six European countries. Population Five hundred and one postmenopausal women, under 65 years of age with an intact uterus. Interventions For 12 months, women received daily treatment with tibolone 2.5 mg (n= 250), or conjugated equine oestrogens 0.625 mg continuously combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg (CEE,MPA, n= 251). Main outcome measures The primary outcome was vaginal bleeding rate during cycles 4,6. The secondary outcomes were vaginal bleeding rate during cycles 1,3, 7,9 and 10,13, cumulative bleeding rate, QoL, wellbeing, climacteric symptoms, urogenital complaints and tolerability. Results Treatment with tibolone led to a significantly lower bleeding rate during cycles 4,6 compared with CEE,MPA (15.0%vs 26.9%; P= 0.004); there was a similar difference during cycles 1,3. Both treatments improved QoL, wellbeing, climacteric symptoms and urogenital complaints. By intent-to-treat analysis, tibolone significantly improved sexual drive, interest and/or performance, compared with CEE,MPA at 12 months (P= 0.017). Although both treatments were well tolerated, there was a significantly lower incidence of breast tenderness with tibolone than CEE,MPA (2.4%vs 17.1%; P < 0.001). Conclusion The vaginal bleeding rate during cycles 4,6 was significantly lower in women using tibolone. Both treatments improved QoL, wellbeing, climacteric symptoms and urogenital symptoms. Breast tenderness was significantly less frequent with tibolone. [source]


A comparison of 25 mg and 50 mg oestradiol implants in the control of climacteric symptoms following hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 8 2000
N. Panay Specialist Registrar
Objectives 1. To compare the effects of 25 mg and 50 mg oestradiol implants on serum follicle stimulating hormone and oestradiol levels; and 2. to assess the relationship of the dose of oestradiol implant and serum oestradiol on the effectiveness and duration of climacteric symptom control. Design Randomised, double-blind investigation. Participants Forty-four women, who had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Methods The women were randomised to receive either 25 mg (n= 20) or 50 mg (n= 24) oestradiol implants. Follow up consisted of prospective symptom enquiry and hormone assays. Main outcome measures Primary: climacteric symptom control: duration and effectiveness; secondary: serum oestradiol and follicle stimulating hormone levels Results Serum oestradiol was significantly higher and serum follicle stimulating hormone significantly lower after the fourth month of treatment in women receiving 50 mg implants. No significant difference in symptom control was noted in the two groups. The mean duration of symptom control was similar in the two groups: 5.9 months (SD 2.4) in those receiving 50 mg oestradiol and 5.6 months (SD 2.3) in those receiving 25 mg. Conclusion The higher level, 50 mg oestradiol implants does not result in better control of symptoms nor in longer periods of symptom control compared with 25 mg oestradiol implants. In order to maximise compliance, 25 mg oestradiol implants should therefore be the treatment of choice for women with normal bone density seeking relief of climacteric symptoms. [source]


Pharmacokinetics of tibolone in early and late postmenopausal women

BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2002
C. J. Timmer
Aims, Tibolone is a tissue-specific compound with favourable effects on bone, vagina, climacteric symptoms, mood and sexual well being in postmenopausal women, without stimulating the endometrium or breast. Since tibolone is used for the treatment of both young and elderly postmenopausal women, its pharmacokinetics were studied to investigate potential differences with age. In addition, the bioequivalence of the 1.25 and 2.5 mg tablets was evaluated. Methods, Single doses of 1.25 or 2.5 mg of tibolone were given in a double-blind, randomized, two-way cross-over study to women aged between 45 and 55 years or between 65 and 75 years of age. Results, Age did not have a significant effect on Cmax, tmax, and t½ of tibolone and its metabolites and on the body weight standardized oral clearance (CL/F kg,1) of the 3,- and 3,-hydroxy tibolones. In early postmenopausal women, significantly lower values were found for the AUC(0,16 h), and AUC(0,,) of 3,-hydroxy tibolone 24.6±6.6 vs 29.2±4.9 and 27.1±6.9 vs 32.3±6.5 ng ml,1 h for the 1.25 mg tablet, respectively, and 45.4±13.9 vs 55.7±14.1 and 49.6±14.6 vs 62.6±17.3 ng ml,1 h for the 2.5 mg tablet, respectively. When these values were adjusted for the significantly higher body weight of the early postmenopausal women, the differences disappeared. No significant differences between early and late postmenopausal women were found for the AUC(0,8 h), and AUC(0,,) of 3,-hydroxy tibolone. The rate of absorption of tibolone and the rates of absorption or formation of the 3,- and 3,-hydroxy tibolones were significantly higher after the 1.25 mg dose than after the 2.5 mg tablet, resulting in increases of 32%, 27% and 17% for the dose normalized- Cmax of tibolone and the 3,- and 3,-hydroxy tibolones, respectively. tmax for tibolone and its metabolites was 12,27% less after 1.25 mg compared to 2.5 mg, which was statistically significant. The two formulations were bioequivalent with respect to the dose-normalized AUC(0,,) and the AUC(0,tfix) values for the 3,-hydroxy tibolone (ratio point estimate [90%, confidence limits]: 1.08 [1.04, 1.14] and 1.08 [1.03, 1.13], respectively) and for the 3,-hydroxy tibolone (1.07 [1.01, 1.14] and 1.04 [0.96, 1.12], respectively). Both formulations were also bioequivalent with respect to CL/F kg,1 and t½. Conclusions, The pharmacokinetics of tibolone are similar in early (age 45,55 years) and late (65,75 years) postmenopausal women. The 2.5 and 1.25 mg tablets are bioequivalent with respect to the extent of absorption. The rate of absorption or formation of the metabolites of tibolone were not bioequivalent, but these differences are considered to have no clinical relevance in view of the chronic administration of tibolone. [source]