Menopause News

Scientists Get Closer to Origins of Hot Flashes By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, July 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers report that stimulating particular brain cells triggers hot flashes in mice -- a discovery they hope will lead to better therapies for women going through menopause.Humans also have these brain cells, known as Kiss1 neurons, and the new study suggests they perform similar functions in humans, according to the University of Washington researchers.And the neurons' activity is dependent on sex hormones, including estrogen -- which drops in a woman's body during menopause.Findings in mice often do not

For the study, the researchers surveyed a group of English, Scottish and Welsh women to establish their nutritional patterns with respect to 217 specific foods. All of the women were aged 40 to 65, and none were told to alter their eating patterns.

The research showed that a woman entering menopause 10 years later than her peers was able to recall one extra word on a 15-word test for every year as she grew older.

In all stages of menopause, artery stiffening and dysfunction of blood vessels were each associated with more frequent and severe menopause symptoms among women, as well as a lower quality of life.

Some hopeful news also emerged from the study: Many women with restless sleep and insomnia during menopause did not have sleep problems before or after menopause.

While rheumatoid arthritis rates in women are three times higher than in men, and women with RA have more severe physical decline and disability, sex-based differences in RA are poorly understood, the researchers said.

Surprisingly, for women with a past history of major depression -- which is a known risk factor for future depression -- hormone therapy didn't appear to lessen the risk of depressive symptoms.

Yet again, the nation's leading authority on preventive medicine says postmenopausal women should avoid hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

New study suggests the therapy won't increase risk of early death

When periods stop before 40, risk is 4 times greater compared to late menopause, study suggests

Women whose periods end early and those who never give birth seem at added risk, research suggests

Older age at menopause also appeared to increase the risk, study found

Study found link between menopausal symptoms in younger women and reduced blood vessel function

Study participants were fitter, felt better -- and were less bothered by hot flashes

Odds also greater if monthly periods started at 11 or younger, researchers say

New research suggests lung function can decline significantly

New Drug Approved for Postmenopause Sexual Pain

And traditional preventive treatments don't erase added danger, new study suggests

But women still outperform men, researchers report

Researchers identify timing, but it can vary by race and ethnicity

Mutations found in women of all races, ethnicities

Study found memory skills tend to drop as estrogen levels dip, at ages 45 to 55

Before and after menopause, less sleep linked to plaque buildup in blood vessels, study found

Study found women who believed they had frequent episodes at night more likely to be mildly depressed

Findings highlight need for certain women to discuss hormone therapy with their doctor, researchers say