The potential effect mechanism of acupuncture for perimenopausal syndrome is analyzed and summarized from five aspects, i.e. the influence on reproductive endocrine system, the regulation on nervous system, the improvement of immune function, the intervention on free radical metabolism and the regulation of adverse emotions. It is believed the mechanism research of acupuncture in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome should be deepened in terms of acupoint specificity and the influence of acupoint compatibility based on the characteristics of acupuncture therapy itself. In clinic, the research on therapeuticmethods and treatment frequency should be enhanced.
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Emotions ; Perimenopause

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of mindfulness meditation training for improving anxiety, depression and sleep disorders in perimenopausal women. METHODS: Intervention by menopause meditation training was delivered in 121 perimenopausal women with anxiety, depression or sleep disorders in Baiyun District, Guangzhou. Before and after the intervention, the Self-rating Anxiety Scale, Self-rating Depression Scale and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index were used for assessment of changes in the conditions of the women. RESULTS: After menopausal meditation training, the perimenopausal women showed significant improvement in the mean scores of Self-rating Anxiety Scale (48.26 ± 6.47; =3.865, < 0.01), Selfrating Depression Scale (50.27 ± 6.54; =4.541, < 0.01) and Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire (10.64 ± 4.38; =5.596, < 0.01). The symptom remission rates differed significantly among the women with different self-practice frequencies ( < 0.01). The remission rates of anxiety, depression and sleep disorder increased significantly with the frequency of self-exercise ( < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Mindfulness meditation training can effectively alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve the quality of sleep in perimenopausal women, and the frequency of the exercise is positively correlated with the improvements. Mindfulness meditation training can be an effective intervention for improving the mental health of perimenopausal women.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Meditation ; Mindfulness ; Perimenopause ; Sleep

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Jianpi Peiyuan acupoint thread embedding therapy on perimenopausal obesity (PMO). METHODS: Ninety-six patients of PMO were randomly divided into an observation group (48 cases) and a control group (48 cases). The control group received health education and lifestyle intervention. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the observation group was treated with acupoint thread embedding at the main acupoints of Shangwan (CV 13), Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Fenglong (ST 40), etc. as well as the supplementary acupoints in accordance with the syndrome differentiation, once every 2 weeks for 8 weeks (4 times in total). The indexes of obesity (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, hip circumference and body mass), modified Kupperman score, insomnia severity index (ISI) score, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) score, and self-rating depression scale (SDS) score of the two groups were observed before and after treatment, and the safety was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and body mass in the two groups were lower than before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, Kupperman, ISI and SAS scores in the observation group were lower than before treatment (P<0.05), and ISI score in the control group was lower than before treatment (P<0.05). Kupperman, ISI and SAS scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SDS between the two groups or within groups (P>0.05). No serious adverse reactions occurred during the experiment. CONCLUSION Jianpi Peiyuan acupoint thread embedding therapy can reduce the degree of obesity in PMO patients, and improve patients' the perimenopausal symptoms, insomnia and anxiety, with good safety.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Perimenopause ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Anxiety ; Obesity

OBJECTIVES: Menopause is a life period that involves various somatic and psychological symptoms. Attitudes toward menopause have been influenced by both time and culture, and play a crucial role in experiencing this period. The purpose of this study was to investigate Korean middle-aged women's attitudes toward menopause and to investigate correlations between attitudes toward menopause and menopausal symptoms. METHODS: Thirty-one gynecological patients, 35 psychiatric patients, and 42 normal controls who were middle aged women(40-59 years old) were selected. The attitudes toward menopause was examined. According to menstrual status, premenopause, perimenopause and postmenopause groups were separated and examined. Then, correlations between sociode-mographic factors and attitudes toward menopause, correlations between attitudes toward menopause and 34 menopausal symptoms, and correlations between sociodemographic factors and menopausal symptoms were examined. RESULTS: 1) Overall attitudes toward menopause was neutral. According to treatment group, normal controls showed more positive attitude than gynecological group and showed no significant differences in negative and neutral attitudes. According to menstrual status, there were no significant differences across premenopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause groups. 2) There was positive correlation between pregnancy number and negative attitude. 3) Both gynecological and psychiatric groups showed more menopausal symptoms than normal controls. Psychiatric group showed significantly more symptoms than normal control in all menopausal symptoms. Psychiatric group showed significantly higher score than gynecological group in anxiety, depressive, sleep, and sexual symptoms. Gynecological group revealed significantly more vasomotor symptoms than normal controls. According to menstrual status, postmenopausal group showed significantly more sexual symptom than premenopause group. 4) Education level had negative correlations with somatic symptoms, anxiety, and sleep problems, and showed positive correlations with depression, vasomotor, and psychological symptoms. There was a positive correlation between self-assessment of health status and all of menopausal symptoms. 5) Negative attitudes toward menopause had positive correlations with somatic, anxiety, depressive, and vasomotor symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the method to correct women's negative attitudes toward menopause will be helpful to overcome menopause and to improve menopausal symptoms.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Middle Aged ; Perimenopause ; Postmenopause ; Pregnancy ; Premenopause ; Self-Assessment

OBJECTIVES: Hormone therapy is generally chosen to treat women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms. Knowing the overlapping symptoms between menopause and thyroid diseases as well as their increasing trend, it is crucial to differentially diagnose among the two types of diseases. The study is focused on the thyroid function test (TFT) and its significance. It also reflects those who are in the menopausal transition state, suffering from premenopausal symptoms, and therefore, want to be treated with hormone therapy. METHODS: Endocrinologic diagnosis for menopause was performed in 139 patients who complained of menopausal symptoms and irregular menstruation within the past year and hence, visited the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyung Hee University Hospital in order to obtain consultation from January 2007 to March 2011. We made observations using the retrograde method. Among these women, 43 patients tested for TFT for their atypical menopausal symptoms. RESULTS: Among the 43 patients who tested for TFT, 10 patients showed abnormal TFT and 3 patients who did not take TFT at our department were found to have the thyroid disease later by other clinics. CONCLUSION: In order to differentiate thyroid disease, practical guidelines should be prepared for the management of women with menopausal transition.
Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Menopause ; Menstruation ; Obstetrics ; Perimenopause ; Stress, Psychological ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland

OBJECTIVES: Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are one of the most annoying symptoms experienced by postmenopausal women. Generally, 75% of women over 50 years of age experience VMS. This study is an epidemiologic survey of menopausal symptoms and VMS in Korean menopausal women. METHODS: Survey participants were recruited from Korean provinces based on the Korean population study conducted in 2010 and using multi-level stratification by age and geographic location, and random sampling. Healthy perimenopausal and menopausal Korean women aged between 40 to 60 years and who participated in the interview survey were included in the study. The Korean version of the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and the Korean version of Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ) was used to investigate the prevalence of menopausal related symptoms and to assess quality of life. RESULTS: Among the 1,500 women, 66% were classified as perimenopause, 28% as menopause, and 7% had undergone hysterectomy. Typically, 41.6% of women in perimenopause reported having experienced VMS in recent six months. About 53.1% of women in early menopause and 36.5% of women in late menopause had experienced VMS in the past six months. Whereas, 30.6% of women with hot flashes, and 27.9% of women with sweating stated that these symptoms were not related to menopause. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of VMS in Korean women seems to be less than women of Western countries. Overall subjective experience of menopause was perceived as increasingly positive with age. Awareness of menopausal symptoms appeared lower than expected. Perimenopausal and menopausal women in Korea rarely sought medical care.
Aged ; Female ; Hot Flashes ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Korea ; Menopause ; Perimenopause ; Prevalence ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Women's Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in Bucheon province. METHODS: Two hundred eighty Korean women (average age 41.9, range 21~90 years) were enrolled, who received a regular thinprep pap test and an HPV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) chip test simultaneously at Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Bucheon, from February 2011 to March 2011. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 33.9% (95/280). The prevalence of HPV infection in postmenopausal women (24.3%) was significantly lower than that of premenopausal women (37.1%, P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of HPV infection in postmenopausal women was lower than that of premenopausal women, HPV infection is more critical in postmenopausal women as HPV infection in postmenopausal women is more likely to induce cervical cancer than in premenopausal women.
DNA ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Papilloma ; Perimenopause ; Prevalence ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Viruses

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to address the difference menopausal symptoms according to sasang constitution and menopausal status among perimenopausal women. METHODS: Data for this cross-sectional study was collected by administering questionnaires that elicited general information. The menopause rating scale (MRS) and Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution Classification II (QSCC II) was given to 284 perimenopausal women who met the eligibility criteria and agreed to participate in the study. RESULTS: The study subjects were composed of 27.5% so-yangin, 24.6% so-eumin, 18.7% tae-eumin, and 29.6% undefined category. The total MRS and all subscales were significantly higher for postmenopausal women in comparison to premenopausal women. Especially, so-eumin and tae-eumin displayed significantly higher scores in urogenital symptoms. The MRS score in postmenopausal women who belonged to the group of tae-eumin and so-eumin was significantly higher than those for premenopausal women. However, so-yangin displayed higher scores in psychological and urogenital symptoms than tae-eumin for premenopausal women. So-eumin presented significantly higher scores in urogenital symptoms in comparison to the undefined category for postmenopausal women. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that sasang constitution could be an important factor in understanding the woman's menopausal symptoms and identify the best treatment.
Constitution and Bylaws ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Perimenopause ; Postmenopause ; Premenopause ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Menopause ; Perimenopause ; Phytotherapy

This study was alone to identify the meaning and the essence of the menopause experience by means of the Colaizzi's phenomenological method. The participants were eight women, 48-60 years old, who were experiencing perimenopause or postmenopause. They were selected using a theoretical sampling technique. Data were collected through in-depth interviews from April 6 to May 20, 1999. The interviews took from 40 to 90 minutes. Interviews were tape- recorded and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Significant statements from data were extracted. From these formulated meanings, 18 themes, 8 clusters of themes and 3 catagories were constructed. Final descriptions were found to be valid through the interviewee validation process. Essential themes of the menopausal experience which emerged were "coming of change", "inclined to deny the in mind", and "adapted life". Menopause, as coming of change was the turning point in the women's life cycle acompaning changes, in body and mind and marital life changes. Especially, the unpredictable menopausal changes were an opportunity to hide the fact of menopause and not to talk with anybody. Such a phenomenon reflected on the psychological attributes of menopausal woman such as an inclination to deny in the mind. Their experiences of menopause as adapted life were generally regarded as signalling the end of fertility and were interpreted as a natural developmental process that indicates a life transition. In conclusion, participants depicted the menopause as a natural stage in the life cycle. In order to help women have a positive life change and self accomplishment, nurses need to understand the essential themes of the menopausal experience. Thus, the importance of an open approach in eliciting the phenomena of menopause cannot be overemphasized. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that exercise program is one of the effective interventions to improve the self-efficacy and also to lower the fatigue in the sample of female college students.
Climacteric ; Fatigue ; Female ; Fertility ; Humans ; Life Cycle Stages ; Menopause ; Perimenopause ; Postmenopause