Climate change and its potential impact on menopausal hot flashes: a commentary

Impact of climate and environmental change on the menopause

The huge impact of climate change on humankind is multidimensional, and includes direct and indirect challenges to the physical, psychological and socio-cultural wellbeing. Women may be more vulnerable to climate-sensitive diseases, but little attention has been paid to specific needs and challenges associated with the menopause transition. The increase in average and extreme temperatures may modulate the manifestation of vasomotor symptoms; in particular, environmental temperature and seasonality may affect hot flushes and night sweats. However, more research is needed to define the impact of climate-related factors among the determinants influencing the individual experience of menopause. In addition, increased exposure to environmental pollution and toxins may also have a role in the modulation of ovarian aging mechanisms, possibly influencing timing of menopause. Finally, both air pollution and menopause transition are associated with unfavorable modifications of cardio-metabolic, bone and cognitive health, and account should be taken of these in the evaluation of the individual woman's health vulnerabilities. Overall, the evidence reported in this narrative review supports the need for specific strategies aimed at reducing the burden of climate and environmental change on menopausal women. Healthcare providers should promote behavioral measures that reduce anthropogenic climate change and at the same time have a beneficial role on several domains of physical and psychological wellbeing. From this perspective, menopause represents a golden moment to implement virtuous behaviors that will benefit at the same time women's longevity and the planet.

Climate and Environmental Change: A Generation at Risk

ABSTRACT

Climate and environmental changes have been described as the biggest global health threat of the 21st century, with the potential to cause immediate harm in early life with important lifelong effects, and important consequences for future generations. Pregnant women and children are increasingly being recognized as vulnerable populations in the context of climate change. The effects can be direct or indirect through heat stress, extreme weather events, and air pollution, potentially affecting both the immediate and long-term health of pregnant women and newborns through a broad range of mechanisms. Climate and environmental changes have wide-ranging effects on a woman's reproductive life including sexual maturation and fertility, pregnancy outcomes, lactation, breastfeeding, and menopause. A comprehensive overview of these impacts is presented as well as opportunities for interventions for nurses practicing in perinatal, neonatal, midwifery, and pediatric specialties.

Meteoropathy: a review on the current state of knowledge

Meteoropathy is no longer considered a popular myth, but a new disease that significantly impacts daily life, particularly in individuals who experience mental illness, cardiovascular disorders, and respiratory conditions. However, there are very limited data on this condition. This study aimed to comprehensively review and analyze existing in vivo animal studies and human clinical trials investigating the effects of meteoropathy on health and its pharmacological treatment. A thorough literature search was conducted across databases such as PubMed and Scopus to gather relevant information. Our analysis primarily focused on the relationship between meteoropathy and mental health, including the influence on affective temperaments. Additionally, we explored various treatment approaches, emphasizing the combination of muscle exercises, pharmacological interventions, and naturopathy, which have shown promise in alleviating pain among individuals affected by meteoropathy. Future research in meteoropathy should shed light on synthesizing new pharmacological compounds.

Thinking Health-related Behaviors in a Climate Change Context: A Narrative Review

BACKGROUND

Human activities have changed the environment so profoundly over the past two centuries that human-induced climate change is now posing serious health-related threats to current and future generations. Rapid action from all scientific fields, including behavioral medicine, is needed to contribute to both mitigation of, and adaption to, climate change.

PURPOSE

This article aims to identify potential bi-directional associations between climate change impacts and health-related behaviors, as well as a set of key actions for the behavioral medicine community.

METHODS

We synthesized the existing literature about (i) the impacts of rising temperatures, extreme weather events, air pollution, and rising sea level on individual behaviors (e.g., eating behaviors, physical activity, sleep, substance use, and preventive care) as well as the structural factors related to these behaviors (e.g., the food system); and (ii) the concurrent positive and negative roles that health-related behaviors can play in mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

RESULTS

Based on this literature review, we propose a first conceptual model of climate change and health-related behavior feedback loops. Key actions are proposed, with particular consideration for health equity implications of future behavioral interventions. Actions to bridge the fields of behavioral medicine and climate sciences are also discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

We contend that climate change is among the most urgent issues facing all scientists and should become a central priority for the behavioral medicine community.