Atrophic Vaginitis: An Undertreated Epidemic

Cycle and hormone changes during perimenopause: the key role of ovarian function. (Menopause. 2008)

Dietary and lifestyle predictors of age at natural menopause and reproductive span in the Shanghai Women's Health Study. (Menopause. 2008) “RESULTS:: Early menarche, younger age at first live birth, older age at last live birth, longer duration of breast-feeding, and higher parity were associated with longer reproductive years (Ptrend < 0.01 for all). Higher body mass index at age 20, mid-life weight gain, and leisure-time physical activity during adolescence and adulthood predicted later menopause and longer reproductive span (Ptrend < 0.01 for all). Total intake of calories, fruits, and protein was positively associated with later menopause (Ptrend < 0.05 for all) and longer reproductive span (Ptrend < 0.05), except for carbohydrates (Ptrend = 0.06), and long-term tea consumption predicted longer reproductive span (Ptrend = 0.03). Vegetable, fat, soy, and fiber intakes did not significantly affect reproductive span or age at menopause. Smoking was inversely associated with both early age at menopause and shorter reproductive span (Ptrend < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:: In addition to reproductive factors, intake of fruits and protein, smoking, tea consumption, lifetime patterns of physical activity, and weight gain influenced the onset of menopause and/or reproductive span in Chinese women.”

Dyspareunia in postmenopausal women: A critical review (Pain Research and Management 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Postmenopausal dyspareunia occurring concurrently with vaginal atrophy is strongly associated with a lack of estrogen in the genital tract. However, a significant percentage of postmenopausal women experience dyspareunic pain that is not caused by hypoestrogenism. It is likely that other types of dyspareunia that occur premenopausally are also occurring in postmenopausal women.”

Effect of natural early menopause on bone mineral density (Maturitas 2008)

Study Links Hot Flashes & Memory Loss

Women Don't Notice 40% of Their Hot Flashes “"In other words, the hot flash-memory relationship is not all in a woman's head. It's actually a physiological relationship that you can pick up on, if you measure hot flashes objectively with a monitor." The researchers also noted a link between the total number of hours of sleep and memory performance the next day. "The total number of hours slept predicted worse memory performance, but also the total number of hot flashes during the night when a woman was sleeping predicted memory dysfunction," Maki said. "So, the two together worsen memory in women the next day." She said the findings suggest that treating vasomotor symptoms in women with hot flashes may improve their memory.”