The menopause —the moment that marks the end of fertile life for half of the world’s population—is different for each woman but, to this day, it continues to be addressed as one less health problemr easily rectified with hormonal therapypoints out EFE.
A special of four articles published in the magazine “The Lancet” urges to address menopause with more information regarding symptoms and riskswith better and more individualized treatments, and with a more “empathetic” clinical and social care that helps women become more empowered at this stage of their life.
Martha Hickeyco-author of the series and researcher at the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women’s Hospital (Melbourne), explain what “the misconception that menopause is always a medical problem that systematically announces a deterioration in physical and mental health must be questioned in society.”
“Many Women live rewarding lives during and following menopause, contributing to work, family life and society in general. Change the vision of menopause as part of healthy aging “It can help women overcome this stage of life and reduce the fear and anxiety of those who have not yet experienced it,” she emphasizes.
How long does menopause last?
Before menopause, women go through a few years of transition in which they can experience alterations in the cycle, hot flashes and night sweats. This period begins between 45 and 55 years and lasts regarding seven but each woman has her own casuistry.
Therefore, the authors advocate for a personalized approach in which each woman have accurate, coherent and impartial information that allows you to make appropriate decisions and that may or may not include hormonal treatment for ccounteract hot flashes and night sweats (they can range from mild to very debilitating).
The articles remind us that for a long time the menopause has been taboo and, although now countries like United Kingdom, United States and Australia are fostering a more open social debate, the media still focuses on extreme negative experiences and describes them as an unfortunate and distressing experience that can only be resolved with hormone replacement.
“Although some women have very negative experiences of menopause and benefit from hormonal therapies, the reality is much more complex and varied,” says Lydia Brown, from the University of Melbourne.
The Lancet special also reviews previous studies examining the relationship between menopause and mental health and concludes that there is no strong evidence to support the belief that menopause increases the risk of anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis or suicide.
Regarding the treatment of menopause, researchers remember that 80% of women suffer from hot flashes and/or night sweats, and more than a third (38%) describe these symptoms as moderate or severe at 50 years of age.
Hormone-free menopause treatments
The most effective treatment for these symptoms is menopausal hormone therapy (THM) o hormone replacement therapy (THS), which help improve sleep and mood, and prevent bone fractures. However, the authors warn, there is no evidence to demonstrate the benefit of hormone therapy for other symptoms of menopause or aging.
Furthermore, remember that there are also cognitive-behavioral therapies to treat symptoms, but commercial interests have greatly influenced the choice of pharmacological medical therapies.
10% of women face premature menopause (before age 40) or early menopause (between 40 and 44 years), which are usually diagnosed late, so some experience distress and isolation, and also increase the risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases. and osteoporosis (bone fragility).
The articles ensure that lpeople with cancer are more likely to present early menopause or symptoms due to treatment, and in these cases, the authors denounce, they suffer from a lack of centralized care and access to safe and effective treatments for their menopausal symptoms.
And although menopause does not cause mental health problemswomen with hot flashes and intense sweats are more at risk of depression.
For all these reasons, the published articles urge a greater understanding of the mechanisms, greater awareness, better treatments and additional support for all women who need specific care.
Criticism of articles on menopause
Some experts consulted by the scientific resources platform for journalists Science Media Center believe that “The Lancet” articles do not offer new research results and above all – they regret – they express the authors’ particular opinion on what menopause might look like and how The experience might be optimized.
Likewise, all of them agree in highlighting The proven benefits of hormone and replacement therapies that are helpful to many women.
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2024-05-09 10:00:57
