Relaxation for perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms

Fezolinetant for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause: a meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the efficacy and safety of fezolinetant for the treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from inception to June 2023, comparing fezolinetant to placebo in postmenopausal women suffering from moderate-to-severe VMS. The mean difference and risk ratio were calculated for continuous and binary outcomes, respectively. R software was used for the statistical analysis, and RoB-2 (Cochrane) to assess the risk of bias. We performed subgroup analysis based on different dosing regimens. Five RCTs comprising 3302 patients were included. Compared with placebo, at 12-week follow-up, fezolinetant significantly reduced the daily frequency of moderate-to-severe VMS (weighted mean difference [WMD] - 2.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 2.92, -1.81) and daily severity of moderate-to-severe VMS (WMD -0.22; 95% CI -0.31, -0.13). Also, fezolinetant significantly improved the quality of life (WMD -0.42; 95% CI -0.58, -0.26) and sleep disturbance (WMD -1.10; 95% CI -1.96, -0.24). There were no significant differences between groups in adverse events. These findings support the efficacy and safety of fezolinetant for the treatment of VMS related to menopause.

Comparative Efficacy of Mitchell's and Benson's Relaxation Techniques in Alleviating Pain and Improving Quality of Life Among Patients With Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Most women of reproductive age suffer physical discomfort or distress in the weeks before menstruation. Even though symptoms are typically not severe enough to impede daily activities seriously, they occasionally can. Physical problems like breast discomfort and bloating can also be a problem. The most irritating symptoms are those that affect mood and behaviour. Women of reproductive age experience premenstrual syndrome frequently, necessitating study into non-pharmacological methods for symptom reduction. Methodology The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of Benson's relaxation technique to Laura Mitchell's physiological approach in patients with premenstrual syndrome. Study design was comparative parallel experimental study with patient-reported questionnaire data (online) collected before and post-intervention in tertiary hospital setting. Participants were 70 adult females aged 18 to 35 with premenstrual syndrome. Patients were administered Benson's relaxation technique once a day for a month versus Mitchell's relaxation technique once a day for a month. Both techniques were first taught for one session followed by home program to be performed by patients. The premenstrual syndrome questionnaire and a numerical pain rating scale were used to quantify premenstrual symptoms pre and post-intervention. Results The result revealed significant (p<0.01) improvement in premenstrual symptoms in both groups following the intervention. However, Bensons' relaxation technique was found to be more significant while alleviating the premenstrual symptoms. Conclusions When it comes to lowering the intensity of premenstrual syndrome in young people, Benson's relaxation method is superior to Mitchell's. Both approaches should be entrenched as a regular practice and can be employed on patients to improve their menstrual well-being.

The 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society

OBJECTIVE

To update the evidence-based Nonhormonal Management of Menopause-Associated Vasomotor Symptoms: 2015 Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society.

METHODS

An advisory panel of clinicians and research experts in women's health were selected to review and evaluate the literature published since the Nonhormonal Management of Menopause-Associated Vasomotor Symptoms: 2015 Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society. Topics were divided into five sections for ease of review: lifestyle; mind-body techniques; prescription therapies; dietary supplements; and acupuncture, other treatments, and technologies. The panel assessed the most current and available literature to determine whether to recommend or not recommend use based on these levels of evidence: Level I, good and consistent scientific evidence; Level II, limited or inconsistent scientific evidence, and Level III, consensus and expert opinion.

RESULTS

Evidence-based review of the literature resulted in several nonhormone options for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms. Recommended: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, clinical hypnosis, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, gabapentin, fezolinetant (Level I); oxybutynin (Levels I-II); weight loss, stellate ganglion block (Levels II-III). Not recommended: Paced respiration (Level I); supplements/herbal remedies (Levels I-II); cooling techniques, avoiding triggers, exercise, yoga, mindfulness-based intervention, relaxation, suvorexant, soy foods and soy extracts, soy metabolite equol, cannabinoids, acupuncture, calibration of neural oscillations (Level II); chiropractic interventions, clonidine; (Levels I-III); dietary modification and pregabalin (Level III).

CONCLUSION

Hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms and should be considered in menopausal women within 10 years of their final menstrual periods. For women who are not good candidates for hormone therapy because of contraindications (eg, estrogen-dependent cancers or cardiovascular disease) or personal preference, it is important for healthcare professionals to be well informed about nonhormone treatment options for reducing vasomotor symptoms that are supported by the evidence.

Menopause symptoms in women and its relation with using complementary and alternative medicines: A survey in southeast Iran

Background

Postmenopausal women are interested in using complementary and alternative medicine because of their menopausal symptoms and the side effects of chemical medications and hormone therapy. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the use of complementary medicine (CAM) and menopausal symptoms among postmenopausal women.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 288 postmenopausal women who were referred to health centers in Kerman, southeastern Iran, from 2020 to 2021. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the CAM questionnaire, and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS).

Results

The mean score for the menopausal symptoms of the participants was 8.73 ± 6.11. Only 28.8% of the participants had no/little symptoms. About 65.3% of the participants used at least one type of CAM in the previous year. The most commonly used types of CAM were nutritional supplements, prayer, and medicinal herbs. A significant association was found between the use of medicinal herbs, dry cupping, relaxation and meditation, prayer, and menopausal symptoms. Women experiencing menopausal symptoms used more CAM methods than those without menopausal symptoms (Odds ratio = 2.25, 95% confidence interval = 1.33-3.80).

Conclusion

The study results indicated that the severity of menopausal symptoms and scores in somatic-vegetative and urogenital domains were higher in CAM users compared to non-CAM users. But there was no significant difference in the psychological domain between CAM and non-CAM users. Based on the results, it is suggested that more research be done in different communities with different healthcare systems to find out how complementary and alternative medicine affects menopausal symptoms in women.

Management of postmenopausal women: Collège National des Gynécologues et Obstétriciens Français (CNGOF) and Groupe d'Etude sur la Ménopause et le Vieillissement (GEMVi) Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The aim of these recommendations is to set forth an individualized approach to the management of early postmenopausal women (i.e., within the first 10 years after natural menopause) covering all aspects of lifestyle and therapeutic management, with or without menopause hormone therapy (MHT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature review and consensus of French expert opinion. Recommendations were graded according to the HAS methodology and levels of evidence derived from the international literature, except when there was no good-quality evidence.

SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS

The beginning of menopause is an ideal time for each woman to evaluate her health status by assessing her bone, cardiovascular, and cancer-related risk factors that may be amplified by postmenopausal estrogen deficiency and by reviewing her lifestyle habits. Improving lifestyle, including nutrition and physical activity, and avoiding risk factors (notably smoking), should be recommended to all women. MHT remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms but it could be also recommended as first-line treatment for the prevention of osteoporosis in early postmenopausal women at low to moderate risk for fracture. The risks of MHT differ depending on its type, dose, duration of use, route of administration, timing of initiation, and whether a progestogen is used. There is reasonable evidence that using transdermal estradiol in association with micronized progesterone or dydrogesterone may limit both the venous thromboembolic risk associated with oral estrogens and the risk of breast cancer associated with synthetic progestins. Treatment should be individualized to each woman, by using the best available evidence to maximize benefits and minimize risks, with periodic reevaluation of its benefit-risk balance. For bothersome genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) symptoms, vaginal treatment with lubricants and moisturizers is recommended as first-line treatment together with low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy, depending on the clinical course. No recommendation of an optimal duration of MHT can be made, but it must take into consideration the initial indication for MHT as well as each woman's benefit-risk balance. Management of gynecological side-effects of MHT is also examined. These recommendations are endorsed by the Groupe d'Etude sur la Ménopause et le Vieillissement hormonal (GEMVI) and the Collège National des Gynécologues-Obstétriciens Français (CNGOF).

Assessing the efficacy of a structured stress management program in reducing stress and climacteric symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal women

To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured education program on lifestyle habits, which is also incorporating teaching on deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided visualization, in the control of various components of the climacteric symptomatology in peri- and postmenopausal women. Sixty-one women aged 40-65 years with varying climacteric and stress symptoms were included in this study. Women were randomly assigned to the intervention group (31) or the control group (30). The intervention group followed an 8-week stress management program. The following parameters were assessed at baseline and at the end of the 8-week follow-up period in both groups: climacteric symptoms (Green Climacteric Scale (GCS)), sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)), mood status (Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale), and health-related control (health locus of control (HLC)). A mixed-model ANOVA showed significant time × group × GCS interaction (within subjects: F = 23.830, p value<0.001; between subjects: F = 39.078, p value<0.001). With regard to HLC, there was a non-significant between subjects but a significant within-subjects effect (HLC × group × time, F = 3.848, p value = 0.024). Regarding DASS scores, there was a significant between-subjects' effect (F = 10.258, p value = 0.003) but a non-significant within-subjects' effect. With regard to PSQI, the analysis showed significant within-subjects' effects (PSQI × group × time: F = 4.691, p value = 0.003) and non-significant between-subjects' effects (F = 0.022, p = 0.883). Finally, regarding RSS, there was a significant within-subjects' (RSS × group × time, F = 4.183, p value = 0.029) but non-significant between-subjects' effect (F = 1.582, p value = 0.213). Stress management may offer an alternative approach to the management of climacteric symptoms.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Menopause

Menopause is associated with problematic symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep problems, mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and declines in cognitive functioning. Many women seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for symptom management. This article critically reviews the existing literature on CAM treatments most commonly used for menopausal symptoms. Electronic searches were conducted to identify relevant, English-language literature published through March 2017. Results indicate that mind and body practices may be of benefit in reducing stress and bothersomeness of some menopausal symptoms. In particular, hypnosis is a mind-body intervention that has consistently shown to have a clinically significant effect on reducing hot flashes. Evidence is mixed in regard to the efficacy of natural products and there are some safety concerns. Health care providers should consider the evidence on CAM in providing an integrative health approach to menopausal symptom management.

Non-concealed placebo treatment for menopausal hot flushes: Study protocol of a randomized-controlled trial

Background

Beneficial effects of placebos are high in double-blind hot flush trials. Studies in various conditions suggest that honestly prescribed placebos may elicit symptom improvement.

Objective

To determine whether open label placebo (OLP) treatment is efficacious in alleviating hot flushes among peri- and postmenopausal women.

Methods/design

In this assessor-blinded, randomized-controlled trial, n = 100 women experiencing five or more daily hot flushes of at least moderate severity and bothersomeness are assigned 1:1 to a 4-week OLP treatment or no treatment. To explore the duration and maintenance of placebo effects, the OLP group is randomized a second time to either discontinue or continue the OLP treatment for another 4 weeks. All participants receive a briefing about placebo effects and study visits at baseline, post-treatment (4 weeks), and follow-up (8 weeks, OLP group only). Qualitative interviews about subjective experiences with the OLP treatment are conducted.

Primary outcomes are differences between the OLP and the no-treatment group in the hot flush composite score (frequency × severity), and bothersomeness of hot flushes as assessed with the Hot Flush Rating Scale at post-treatment. Secondary outcomes include hot flush frequency, health-related quality of life, global improvement, and the number of responders at post-treatment. Data are analyzed by fitting (generalized) linear mixed models. An exploratory analysis of maintenance and duration is performed including follow-up data.

Discussion

This trial will contribute to the evaluation of OLP treatments in clinical practice and further our understanding about the magnitude of placebo effects in hot flush treatments.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03838523. Retrospectively registered on February 12th, 2019. The first patient was enrolled on October 10th, 2018.

Non-hormonal strategies for managing menopausal symptoms in cancer survivors: an update

Vasomotor symptoms, particularly hot flushes (HFs), are the most frequently reported symptom by menopausal women. In particular, for young women diagnosed with breast cancer, who experience premature ovarian failure due to cancer treatments, severe HFs are an unsolved problem that strongly impacts on quality of life. The optimal management of HFs requires a personalised approach to identify the treatment with the best benefit/risk profile for each woman. Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is effective in managing HFs but it is contraindicated in women with previous hormone-dependent cancer. Moreover, many healthy women are reluctant to take HRT and prefer to manage symptoms with non-hormonal strategies. In this narrative review, we provide an update on the current available non-oestrogenic strategies for HFs management for women who cannot, or do not wish to, take oestrogens. Since isoflavones have oestrogenic properties and it is not known if they can be safely consumed by women with previous hormone-dependent cancer, they were excluded. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, as well as other neuroactive agents, some herbal remedies and behavioural strategies are considered.

Management of endometrial modifications in perimenopausal women

Perimenopause has a variable length and time of onset and is characterized by its variability in hormonal levels. The histological changes in the perimenopausal endometrium may be represented by nonproliferative or proliferative benign or malignant lesions. A commonly encountered manifestation of endometrium lesions during menopausal transition is the abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). The clinical management of AUB must follow a standardized classification system for optimal results. The medical and surgical treatment must be adapted according to age, risk factors, symptoms, and cycle irregularities. Use of alternative therapies and proper diet may result in improved long-term outcomes.