Nonhormonal management of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: 2015 position statement of The North American Menopause Society

Stellate ganglion blockade and verbal memory in midlife women: Evidence from a randomized trial

OBJECTIVES

In a pilot randomized clinical trial of active stellate ganglion blockade (SGB) versus sham control, SGB significantly reduced the frequency of reported moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and the frequency of physiologic VMS measured using ambulatory skin conductance monitors. Here we examine secondary effects of SGB on verbal learning and memory.

STUDY DESIGN

In a randomized, sham-controlled study, 36 women met eligibility criteria for cognitive assessments, of whom 17 were randomized to receive fluoroscopy-guided SGB and 19 to sham control.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

At baseline and three months post-treatment, women completed tests of verbal learning and memory (primary outcome) and other cognitive measures and also wore an ambulatory monitor for 24h to measure physiologic VMS and VMS reported in real time.

RESULTS

Verbal learning improved following active SGB (p<0.05) but not sham treatment; however, the interaction between group and time was not significant (p values 0.13-0.20). Two secondary cognitive measures improved only in the sham group. Improvements in physiologic VMS correlated significantly with improvements in verbal learning (r=0.51, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SGB might confer benefits to memory in relation to the magnitude of improvement in physiologic VMS. Broadly these findings suggest a possible link between physiologic VMS and memory problems in midlife women.

A model of care for healthy menopause and ageing: EMAS position statement

Worldwide, the number of menopausal women is increasing. They present with complex medical issues that lie beyond the traditional scope of gynaecologists and general practitioners (GPs). The European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) therefore provides a holistic model of care for healthy menopause (HM). The HM healthcare model's core consists of a lead clinician, specialist nurse(s) and the woman herself, supported by an interdisciplinary network of medical experts and providers of alternative/complementary medicine. As HM specialist teams are scarce in Europe, they are also responsible for structuring and optimizing processes in primary care (general gynaecologists and GPs) and secondary care (HM specialists). Activities for accreditation of the subspecialty Women's Health are encouraged.

The Utility of Peripheral Nerve Blocks in Interventional Radiology

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of peripheral nerve blocks, the use of peripheral nerve block within and outside interventional radiology, and the complications of peripheral nerve block.

CONCLUSION

Interventional radiologists are often responsible for sedation and pain management in the majority of interventional radiology procedures. Peripheral nerve block is increasingly being used in interventional radiology.

Pharmacologic Therapies in Women's Health: Contraception and Menopause Treatment

Female hormones play a significant role in the etiology and treatment of many women's health conditions. This article focuses on the common uses of hormonal therapy. When prescribing estrogen-containing regimens throughout the span of a woman's life, the risks are similar (ie, cardiovascular risk and venous thromboembolism), but the degree of risk varies significantly depending on a woman's particular set of risk factors and the details of the hormone regimen. In addition to estrogens and progestogens, this article also touches on the use of selective steroid receptor modulators in emergency contraception and in treatment of menopause symptoms.

Bazedoxifene and Conjugated Equine Estrogen: A Combination Product for the Management of Vasomotor Symptoms and Osteoporosis Prevention Associated with Menopause

Bazedoxifene (BZA), a third-generation selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), has been combined with conjugated equine estrogen (CE) to create a tissue selective estrogen complex (TSEC) for the management of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and the prevention of osteoporosis (OP) associated with menopause. Both of these outcomes of menopause contribute to significant negative effects on quality of life and increases in utilization of health care resources and dollars. Current treatment modalities for VMS and OP include estrogen therapy that requires the use of progestin in women who have a uterus to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and resultant cancer. However, progestin use results in nuisance bleeding as well as a further increased risk of breast cancer when combined with estrogen. And while SERMs can be used to prevent OP, their use alone has been shown to increase hot flashes. The combination of BZA and CE does not require progestin treatment with CE as the BZA component acts as an antagonist on endometrial tissue. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of BZA/CE in 2013 was based on a series of five phase 3 studies known as the Selective estrogens, Menopause And Response to Therapy (SMART) trials. These trials, in their entirety, evaluated the impact of BZA/CE on VMS frequency and severity, bone mineral density, bone turnover markers, vaginal symptoms, lipid profiles, sleep, quality of life, breast density, and endometrial safety. The approved dose of BZA/CE is 20 mg BZA and 0.45 mg CE. Although this TSEC manages VMS while opposing breast and endometrial proliferation, preventing bone resorption, and improving lipid profiles, long-term experience with BZA/CE is currently lacking.

Nonpharmacologic, nonherbal management of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: an umbrella systematic review (protocol)

BACKGROUND

Vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats are a common concern of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women and are associated with a decreased quality of life. These symptoms can be effectively managed with hormone therapy, but safety concerns limit its use. Thus, understanding the effectiveness of nonpharmacologic therapies such as acupuncture or yoga is critical to managing these common symptoms in older women. Our review seeks to address the following question: In women with menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms, what are the effects on health-related quality of life, vasomotor symptoms, and adverse events of the following nonpharmacologic, nonherbal interventions as compared with any inactive control or active comparator: (a) acupuncture, (b) yoga, tai chi, and qigong, (c) structured exercise, and (d) meditation, mindfulness-based practices, and relaxation?

METHODS

We describe a protocol for an umbrella review approach, supplemented by evaluating randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published after the most recent good-quality systematic review for each of the eligible interventions. Specific interventions were chosen based on current literature and with input from a technical expert panel and organizational stakeholders. We will conduct a thorough literature search and perform a quality assessment of potentially included systematic reviews and RCTs.

DISCUSSION

Our umbrella review, supplemented by an additional search for eligible RCTs, aims to synthesize existing evidence on the use of nonpharmacologic, nonherbal interventions to manage bothersome vasomotor symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42016029335.

Traditional Chinese medicine valuably augments therapeutic options in the treatment of climacteric syndrome

Climacteric syndrome refers to recurring symptoms such as hot flashes, chills, headache, irritability and depression. This is usually experienced by menopausal women and can be related to a hormonal reorganization in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, originating 1000s of years ago, above-mentioned symptoms can be interpreted on the basis of the philosophic diagnostic concepts, such as the imbalance of Yin and Yang, the Zang-Fu and Basic substances (e.g. Qi, Blood and Essence). These concepts postulate balance and harmonization as the principle aim of a treatment. In this context, it is not astounding that one of the most prominent ancient textbooks dating back to 500-200 BC, Huang di Neijing: The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine gives already first instructions for diagnosis and therapy of climacteric symptoms. For therapy, traditional Chinese medicine comprises five treatment principles: Chinese herbal medicine, TuiNa (a Chinese form of manual therapy), nutrition, activity (e.g. QiGong) and acupuncture (being the most widespread form of treatment used in Europe). This review provides an easy access to the concepts of traditional Chinese medicine particularly regarding to climacteric syndrome and also focuses on current scientific evidence.