The Menopause Consortium’s Post

Menopausal women, over-medicalized???? The Lancet, one of the world’s most prestigious medical journal recently issued an opinion piece that essentially argued that we are now ‘over-medicalizing’ menopause.   It’s important to state that this is an opinion piece, not a research summary.   Over-medicalizing in this context means the prescription of Menopause Hormone Therapy (known as well as hormone replacement therapy) to relieve symptoms of menopause.   Let’s review the facts. Data from 2019 shows that in this age group, 23% of individuals are on at least one medication.   70% are on five meds. You read that correctly.   The top three medications prescribed? Antidepressants, and meds that lower blood pressure and cholesterol.   All of these symptoms/conditions are seen as part of the menopause transition.   So, it begs the question – are we treating the consequences of menopause rather than the cause?   Last, of the 10 most prescribed meds, none are menopause hormonal therapy.   It does not seem that we are over-medicalizing menopause. In fact, only 4% of women in Canada and the US are receiving hormone therapy for relief of their menopausal symptoms.   We also fail to recognize that many symptoms are simply associated with the menopause – not disconnected. Certainly, the current lack of education and training by GP's explain somewhat this abhorrent situation. Hormone therapy is not for everyone. Many women cannot, or won’t.   The last thing women need right now is to receive more patronizing messages. It's a real shame that The Lancet published a piece that instead of elevating the conversation on women’s health, rather opted to preach from its disconnected and patriarchal history.   This is manipulation, not education.   You and I deserve better than this. #menopause #midlifewomen #HRT #womendeservebetter

A new study reveals that menopause leads to a significant increase in plaque buildup in women's arteries, elevating their heart disease risk to levels comparable to men's. Postmenopausal women experience accelerated rises in coronary artery calcium scores compared to men, highlighting the need for increased screening, potentially higher doses of statins, and consideration of hormone therapy to mitigate heart disease risk. #menopause #menopauseatwork #menopauseintheworkplace #menowell #hearthealth

A new study reveals that menopause leads to a significant increase in plaque buildup in women's arteries, elevating their heart disease risk to levels comparable to men's. Postmenopausal women experience accelerated rises in coronary artery calcium scores compared to men, highlighting the need for increased screening, potentially higher doses of statins, and consideration of hormone therapy to mitigate heart disease risk. #menopause #menopauseatwork #menopauseintheworkplace #menowell #hearthealth

🖇️ Short notes you have to know about menopause💡 menopause defined as a cessation of menstrual period for at least 1 year (average age is 52 yr) 👵🏻. 🔸 the main symptoms that occur in this period are : 1-Hot flashes ( ⬆️ skin temp🤒) 2- Genitourinary syndrome of menopause GSM ( vaginal atrophy) : pain , dyspareunia , and frequent infections due to basic vaginal pH. 🔸management of these symptoms mainly by : 1- first line : Hormonal therapy EPT ( Estrogen +/- Progesterone) > ⬇️ hot flashes, ⬇️ GSM , ⬇️ osteoporosis 💭*Note* use estrogen only in case of hysterectomy. 2- second line :Antidepressants / diet / Exercise > we use second line treatment incase of patients who refuse to adhere to hormonal therapy and with females with high risk for breast cancer, also in case of high risk for stroke ,VTE, DM, CHD ( 10yr cardiovascular disease calculator >10%) 🖋️ Antidepressants used in this case are : Venlafaxine , Fluoxetine, Paroxetin, Sertraline. ✖️The Major Side effects of Hormonal therapy are: ⬆️ strok , VTE , CHD , blood clots, heart attacks , dementia , nausea, weight gain, depression. #clinicalpharmacy #pharmacist #clinicalpharmacist #hospitalpharmacist #pharmacist_knowledge #worldhealthorganization #ACCP

🔬Breaking News: Did you know that over 70% of women experience musculoskeletal symptoms during menopause? 👩🏻⚕️Dr. Vonda Wright's groundbreaking review introduces the term 'Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause,' a significant step in understanding the impact of hormonal changes on our bones, muscles, and joints. 🦴Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause can include joint pain, inflammation, muscle loss (sarcopenia), osteoporosis, and cartilage damage. This new terminology helps connect these issues to the hormonal changes of menopause, highlighting the importance of early intervention through proper nutrition, resistance training, vitamin supplementation, and possibly menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). 🧬Physicians are encouraged to adopt this terminology as it can significantly enhance their communication with patients, improve treatment approaches, and stimulate further research. Early recognition and management of these symptoms can dramatically improve quality of life, prevent falls, and reduce frailty-related mortality in menopausal women.🌸 Read the full study below and learn how you can take action to protect your health: https://lnkd.in/gWZNyiuS #MenopauseAwareness #HealthyAging #WomensHealth

The complex interplay between menopause and the endocrine system is something that all women should learn more about. From fluctuating estrogen levels to adrenal gland function, we discuss how these changes impact overall health and well-being. Whether you’re a postmenopausal woman or preparing for menopause, understanding the nuanced hormonal changes that are happening in your body during this time will help you become a better self-advocate on your menopausal health journey. Topics discussed include: -What the endocrine system is and how it functions in the body. -Spotlight hormones estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid, cortisol, and GLP-1 -Screening for thyroid function. -hair loss and hormones -Adrenal gland function and cortisol regulation. -Weight loss and body composition changes. -GLP-1 and the connection to estrogen deficiency. -Serving and educating the Latin community about menopause. My guest, Sarah Musleh MD is an esteemed endocrinologist, dedicated mother, and co-founder of Anzara Health, a pioneering multistate female-owned concierge endocrinology platform. Her practice focuses on women’s health and medical weight loss, providing personalized care to patients with a variety of hormone disorders, including metabolic dysfunction, PCOS, and thyroid disease. Listen on all podcast platforms, watch on YouTube, find on my website, and linked below. #womenshealth #menopause #hormones

Yesterday, I saw a specialist about abdominal pain and related issues. It’s only floored me for the past 2 months, but it hasn’t been right for over a year. I knew that I needed to be seen quickly, and the dr agreed that it needs to be sorted. Before the appointment however, I had a moment of thinking, ‘it may get better next month, and then I will be wasting the doctor’s time’. It’s only in the UK that people talk about “bothering a Dr”. In other countries, people don’t think twice about going to see a dr, and most UK based GPs would rather see us than have us worry in silence. When he pressed on my abdomen, it was clear that I needed to be there!!! The NHS waitlist was 30 weeks…!!! There are many, many physical symptoms that can be put down to perimenopause or menopause. These can most often be resolved with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or sometimes temporarily resolved with complementary therapy/alternative medicine/other medicines for women who can’t or don’t want to take HRT. However, we must remember that not every symptom is down to menopause. Some will not be related and need further investigation. Just a few really important symptoms not to ignore: 🩺Pain isn’t something that we should ‘put up with’. Period pain cramps resolved with paracetamol for a few days is one thing, (manageable but still not great), but prolonged abdominal pain, pain during sexual intercourse etc., is not normal. There is always a cause and a treatment. 🩺 ALL post menopausal bleeding should be checked. It isn’t ok to ignore it. It probably won’t be anything serious, but it is best to know that for sure. Don’t ever feel like you are wasting anyone’s time by checking. 🩺 Irregular bleeding in perimenopause should be mentioned to a GP and checked where deemed necessary. Note that period bleeding lengths and cycle lengths can change in perimenopause. Long wait list for NHS GP appointments, for investigations and treatment put women off trying to get help. So many women make do with paracetamol/ibuprofen. If you are concerned about bleeding or pain, then please make sure that you are seen and heard.

The theme for this year's World Menopause Day is Menopause & Menopause Hormone Therapy. We've created practical guides - a women's leaflet and poster - to share the 5Ws - Who, What, When, Why, Where of MHT WHY is MHT important? MHT is important because it: 🥵Relieves menopause symptoms: like hot flushes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. 🩻Protects your bones: it helps prevent osteoporosis, a condition that makes bones weak and more likely to break. ❤️🩹Supports heart health: MHT may reduce the risk of heart disease in some women (but it is not licensed for this). However, MHT is not for everyone.There are small risks, including: * Breast cancer * Blood clots * Stroke These risks vary depending on your health, age, and how long you use MHT, so it’s important to talk to your healthcare professional about whether MHT is right for you. For more information on the 5Ws of MHT download our leaflet and poster; and please do share these with your healthcare provider, friends, employer and family. Follow the link: https://buff.ly/4harrmK

Menopause is such a hotly debated topic- what are the myths and realities? We have just published the most comprehensive review and harmonisation of the international menopause guidelines. The highest quality guidelines list symptoms of perimenopause and menopause to be vasomotor symptoms (VMS), disturbed sleep, musculoskeletal pain, decreased sexual function or desire, and mood disturbance (low mood, mood changes or depressive symptoms). Acknowledged potential long-term menopause consequences were urogenital atrophy, and increased risks of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. VMS and menopause-associated mood disturbance were the only consistent indications for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Some guidelines support MHT to prevent or treat osteoporosis, but none recommended MHT for cognitive symptoms or prevention of other chronic disease. 

VAGINAL OESTROGENS FOR TREATMENT OF MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS I was impressed earlier today to see an advert on daytime TV for vaginal dryness! From speaking to a number of peri-menopausal ladies, it seems there isn't much awareness of vaginal oestrogens and their use in treating related menopausal symptoms, including vaginal dryness and inflammation, itching, burning, and pain during intercourse. Key facts about vaginal oestrogen: 💡 A type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to treat vaginal dryness, discomfort and irritation caused by menopause. 💡Prescribed to manage conditions such as vaginitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), vaginal atrophy, pelvic floor disorders, and sexual dysfunction. 💡Helps by replenishing oestrogen locally in the vaginal tissues, promoting moisture and reducing discomfort. 💡Locally applied directly to the vaginal area, minimizing systemic absorption and reducing associated risks (an alternative for women who cannot take oral HRT due to oestrogen sensitive cancers). 💡Available as tablets, creams, gels, rings, and pessaries. Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best treatment for your needs. For more support or information message me. #Perimenopause #Menopause #VaginalHealth #HRT #WomensHealth #menopauseexpertsgroup