PURPOSE: This study is to provide basic data for the development of climacteric adaptation programs by identifying relevant factors based on the degree of climacteric adaptation and perceived stress, marital closeness and mental health in middle-aged women. METHODS: The data were collected from 191 middle-aged women aged 45 to 60 living in the B metropolitan city during July to September 2018. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 21.0 Statistical Program by descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The relevant variables that affect the adaptation of middle-aged women to climacteric were founded as somatization (β=-.29, t=−3.99, p<.001), depression(β=−.24, t=−3.03, p=.003), perceived stress (β=−.19; t=−2.50; p=.013), and spouse's job status (β=.16; t=2.77, p=.006). Overall, approximately 37.8% of the variability in climacteric adaptation was explained by the 4 variables in this study (R2=.378, F=24.12, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Since the middle-aged women in menopause show maladjustment due to negative emotions, it is important for them to control negative emotions and stress. Therefore, it will be necessary to develop a support system through spouse's careful attention and self-help meetings as well as a program of self-awareness of their symptoms for middle-aged climacteric adaptation.
Climacteric ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Marriage ; Menopause ; Mental Health

Menopause is associated with the onset of climacteric symptoms due to low estradiol levels, which may cause insufficient maturation of the vaginal mucosa. Vitamin D may regulate the growth and differentiation of cells that are adversely affected due to low estradiol levels, thereby restoring vaginal health. The objective of this systematic review, the first on this subject, was to investigate the effect of vitamin D on the vaginal health of menopausal women. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases and reference lists of hand-searched articles were searched for published studies from February 2000 to November 2018. The selection criteria were as follows: randomized or quasi-randomized trials that compared the effects of vitamin D or related compounds, alone or with calcium, on vaginal health (growth and differentiation of epithelial cells, dryness, acidity [pH]) outcomes in menopausal women. The methodological quality of these studies was examined using the Cochrane tool checklist by two independent investigators, following which the data were extracted. Of six examined studies, two showed that vitamin D administration improved the growth and differentiation of vaginal epithelial cells, improved vaginal pH, and decreased vaginal dryness in menopausal women. Although the level of evidence for the effects of vitamin D on vaginal health is low in our study, we concluded that vitamin D may improve the vaginal health of women, especially during menopause.
Calcium ; Checklist ; Climacteric ; Epithelial Cells ; Estradiol ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Menopause ; Mucous Membrane ; Patient Selection ; Research Personnel ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

PURPOSE: To identify factors influencing adaptation to menopause in middle-aged women. METHODS: Participants were 157 middle-aged women who visited Y gynecologic clinic in C city. Data were collected through interviews using the Korean CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression), climacteric symptoms, life event stress, and menopausal adaptation scale. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression using SPSS. RESULTS: There were significant differences in adaptation to menopause according to monthly income, life satisfaction, and marital satisfaction. Adaptation to menopause had significantly negative correlations with depression, climacteric symptoms, and life event stress. Depression, monthly income, climacteric symptoms, and life event stress were verified as factors affecting adaptation to menopause. These factors accounted for 41.9% of adaptation to menopause. CONCLUSION: These variables should be considered in nursing interventions to improve adaptation to menopause in middle-aged women. Individuals should have the will to overcome menopause positively and actively.
Climacteric ; Depression ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause* ; Nursing

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study is the systematic and critical investigation of the effectiveness of fennel on the climacteric symptoms among menopausal females. METHODS: A search of the trials studying the effect of fennel on menopausal females was conducted in 2017 using the MEDLINE and Scopus databases and the Cochrane Library with the following keywords: fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, and menopause. RESULTS: Fennel combined with officinalis is more effective in the attenuating of sleep disorders compared to Citalopram. The comparison of these two groups regarding the mean bone mineral density and bone mineral content (P = 0.14, P = 0.504); the total hip femoral (P = 0.42, P = 0.66); the trochanter (P = 0.075, P = 0.07); the intertrochanter (P = 0.84, P = 0.93); and the femoral neck (P = 0.43, P = 0.64) did not show any significant statistical differences; however, a statistically significant difference regarding the vasomotor symptoms (P < 0.01) was found. The other significant differences are related to the values of the total cholesterol (P = 0.103); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C (P = 0.104); high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or HDL-C (P = 0.266); triglyceride (P = 0.679); body weight (P = 0.212); body mass index (P = 0.041); waist and hip circumferences (P = 0.365); and fat distribution (P = 0.337) between the two groups. The standardized mean difference (SMD) values of sexual activity (SMD = 0.638; P < 0.001), and maturation value (SMD = 0.601; P = 0.003) are highly significant among the fennel-treated women compared with the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings of the present study, fennel is important in the relieving of vasomotor symptoms, vaginal itching, dryness, dyspareunia, sexual function, sexual satisfaction, and sleep distribution.
Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Cholesterol ; Citalopram ; Climacteric ; Dyspareunia ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Foeniculum ; Hip ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Menopause ; Orgasm ; Pruritus ; Sexual Behavior ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Soy isoflavones are expected to improve menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis in women. However, their efficacy is still inconclusive, and there was limited data for postmenopausal women in South Korea. We examined the effects of soy isoflavones on climacteric symptoms, bone biomarkers, and quality of life in Korean postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A randomized, double-blind study design was used. Eighty-seven participants who had undergone natural menopause were randomly administered either 70 mg/day isoflavones (n = 43) or placebo (n = 41) for 12 weeks. We assessed the Kupperman index for climacteric symptoms and the menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) questionnaire for quality of the life. Biomarkers of bone metabolism were also measured in serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC), N- and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx, CTx), and urine-deoxypyridinolin (u-DPD). RESULTS: Scores of the Kupperman index were decreased in both the isoflavones group (−7.0 ± 15.8, P = 0.0074) and placebo group (−6.3 ± 14.6, P = 0.0064) during the intervention, but no significant difference was noted between the groups. Regarding the bone formation markers, the level of serum BALP increased by 6.3 ± 4.1% (P = 0.004) and OC increased by 9.3 ± 6.2% (P < 0.001), meanwhile those of the placebo were not changed. For the bone resorption markers, NTx, CTx, and u-DPD were not significantly different in either group. MENQOL was significant decreased in the isoflavone group (−0.6 ± 0.5) and placebo group (−0.6 ± 0.4), with a significant difference between groups (P = 0.0228). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that 70 mg isoflavones supplement has beneficial effects on bone formation markers; however, it showed no benefit compared to the placebo on climacteric symptoms or quality of life.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Biomarkers* ; Bone Resorption ; Climacteric* ; Collagen Type I ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Isoflavones* ; Korea ; Menopause ; Metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; Postmenopause ; Quality of Life*

OBJECTIVESTo explore the effects of Chinese medicine prescription Zuogui Pill (, ZGP) on monoamine neurotransmitters and sex hormones in climacteric rats with induced panic attacks.

METHODSForty-eight climacteric female rats were randomized into 6 groups with 8 rats in each group: the control group, the model group, the low-, medium- and high-dose ZGP groups and the alprazolam group. Rats in the low-, medium- and high-dose ZGP groups were administered 4.725, 9.45, or 18.9 g/kg ZGP by gastric perfusion, respectively. The alprazolam group was treated by gastric perfusion with 0.036 mg/kg alprazolam. The control and model groups were treated with distilled water. The animals were pretreated once daily for 8 consecutive weeks. The behaviors of rats in the open fifield test and the elevated T-maze (ETM) were observed after induced panic attack, and the levels of brain monoamine neurotransmitters and the plasma levels of sex hormones were measured.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the mean ETM escape time and the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenalin (NE) of the model group were signifificantly reduced (P<0.05), Compared with the model group, the mean ETM escape time and the 5-HT and NE levels of all the ZGP groups increased signifificantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, no signifificant difference was observed in the levels of sex hormones between the groups.

CONCLUSIONPretreatment with ZGP in climacteric rats may improve the behavior of panic attack, which may be related to increased 5-HT and NE in the brain.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Biogenic Monoamines ; metabolism ; Climacteric ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Panic Disorder ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Vasomotor symptoms start about 2 years prior to menopause in women who are approaching menopause, and early menopause symptoms appear including emotional disturbance and anxiety, followed by physical changes such as vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence and skin wrinkles. As time progresses, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia occur consecutively. Hormone therapy is primarily considered for the relief of menopause symptoms in postmenopausal women. However, as hormone replacement has emerged as a therapy that increases the potential risk of thrombosis, cerebral infarction and breast cancer, complementary and alternative medicine has drawn much attention. This study aimed to examine the types and effects of evidence-based complementary and alternative therapies that are currently used.
Affective Symptoms ; Anxiety ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Climacteric* ; Complementary Therapies ; Dementia ; Female ; Humans ; Infarction ; Intracranial Thrombosis ; Menopause ; Osteoporosis ; Postmenopause ; Skin ; Urinary Incontinence

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of light therapy on sleep disturbance and depression in climacteric women with menopausal symptoms. METHODS: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pre test-post test design. Data were collected from September 29, 2013 to November 11, 2013. Participants included 17 climacteric women in an artificial light therapy group, 17 climacteric women in a sun light therapy group and 16 climacteric women in a control group. Measures consisted of the sleep disturbance, depression, melatonin, and serotonin. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference of Korean Sleep Scale A (F=53.87, p<.001), and melatonin (F=31.19, p<.001) among three groups. There was a statistically significant difference of Self-Rating Depression Scale (F=121.86, p<.001), and serotonin (F=102.37, p<.001) among three groups. CONCLUSION: Artificial and sun light therapy can be applied as a supportive nursing intervention to subjects with sleep disturbance and depression in climacteric women with menopausal symptoms. Artificial and sun light therapy is expected to be a complementary alternative intervention for health management of the subjects with sleep disturbance and depression in climacteric women with menopausal symptoms.
Climacteric* ; Depression* ; Female ; Humans ; Melatonin ; Nursing ; Phototherapy* ; Research Design ; Serotonin ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Solar System

OBJECTIVE: During the transition to menopause, various symptoms including vasomotor symptoms and depressed mood lead to low quality of life. We investigated the effect of low-dose venlafaxine hydrochloride extended release on depressed mood and vasomotor symptoms of perimenopausal women. METHODS: 33 perimenopausal women fulfilling Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria for a depressive episode were enrolled between January 2014 and May 2014. Subjects were prescribed 37.5 mg/day or 75 mg/day venlafaxine hydrochloride according to clinician's judgement, and the dosages were maintained for 8 weeks. Depressed mood and other psychological difficulties were evaluated by using Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA), Clinical Global Impression-Severity. Climacteric symptoms including vasomotor symptoms were evaluated by using Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). For statistical analysis, paired t-test was used. RESULTS: Significant decreases in HAMD, HAMA, GCS scores were observed after 2 weeks of treatment and the trends continued until the end of the study. The scores of HAMD significantly decreased, 28 of them reached remission (HAMD < or =7). The scores on vasomotor symptoms of GCS after 8 week treatment significantly decreased compared to baseline (13.1+/-5.0, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that venlafaxine hydrochloride is effective and tolerable treatment option for vasomotor symptoms and depressed mood in perimenopausal women. To validate our results, furthur studies with double-blind, placebo controlled will be needed.
Anxiety ; Climacteric ; Depression ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Quality of Life ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test hypothetical model of quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors and to test the mediating effects of cognitive dysfunction. METHODS: This study was conducted from December 1st, 2013 to February 28th, 2014. 164 breast cancer survivors were recruited from A, D, and Y city in Korea. The instruments used in this study were climacteric symptoms, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and the QOL scales. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and pathway. RESULTS: Cognitive dysfunction was directly affected by climacteric symptoms and fatigue. QOL was directly affected by fatigue, However climacteric symptoms and cognitive dysfunction did not effect on QOL directly. Impact of climacteric symptoms on QOL, mediating effect of cognitive dysfunction was not confirmed. In addition, effect of fatigue on the QOL, the mediating effect of cognitive dysfunction was not. CONCLUSIONS: Effects of climacteric symptoms on QOL was not mediated by cognitive dysfunction, Furthermore effects of fatigue on QOL was not mediated by cognitive dysfunction.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Climacteric* ; Fatigue* ; Humans ; Korea ; Negotiating* ; Quality of Life* ; Survivors* ; Weights and Measures