Endometriosis in Menopausal Women-A New Age Is Coming? Literature Review

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue, that leads to dysmenorrhea, painful intercourse and infertility. The shift in paradigm from the previous belief that endometriosis exclusively impacts women of reproductive age has brought attention to the condition in both premenarchal and postmenopausal women. Currently, 2-4% of postmenopausal women have endometriosis. Many women experience menopausal symptoms during the peri- and postmenopausal periods and require extensive investigations and monitoring in order to avoid the recurrence of endometriosis symptoms or the risk of malignant transformation when treatment with menopausal hormones is elected. Our goal was to compile and present a clear and concise overview of the existing literature on postmenopausal endometriosis, offering an up-to-date and precise summary of the available information.

Prediagnostic use of menopausal hormone therapy and long-term survival of localized epithelial ovarian cancer: The Extreme study

Use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) prior to an epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) diagnosis has been suggested to be associated with improved survival. In a recent nationwide cohort study, we found that prediagnostic long-term MHT use, especially estrogen therapy (ET), was associated with improved long-term survival in women with nonlocalized EOC. Our aim was to investigate the influence of prediagnostic MHT use on long-term survival among women with localized EOC in the same nationwide study. Our study cohort comprised all women aged 50 years or older with an EOC diagnosis in Denmark 2000-2014 (n = 2097) identified from the Extreme study. We collected information on usage of systemic ET and estrogen plus progestin therapy (EPT) from the Danish National Prescription Registry. By using pseudo-values, 5- and 10-year absolute and relative survival probabilities were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) while adjusting for histology, comorbidity, and income. Relative survival probabilities >1 indicate better survival. The 5-year absolute survival probabilities were 61% and 56%, respectively, among women who were nonusers and users of prediagnostic MHT, whereas these numbers were 46% and 41%, respectively, regarding 10-year survival. Use of MHT was not significantly associated with an improved 5- or 10-year survival in women with localized EOC (5-year relative survival probability = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.89-1.02; 10-year relative survival probability = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.84-1.02). Similar findings were seen for systemic ET or EPT use. Our findings do not suggest a positive benefit from prediagnostic MHT use on long-term survival of localized EOC.

Effect of menopausal hormonal therapy on cardiovascular risks in Korean postmenopausal women: A nationwide cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to various regimens, dosages, routes of administration and starting ages of MHT.

DESIGN

A population-based cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Services database.

SETTING

Nationwide health insurance database.

POPULATION

Women who reported entering menopause at an age of ≥40 years with no history of CVD in the national health examination.

METHODS

The study population comprised 1 120 705 subjects enrolled between 2002 and 2019, categorised according to MHT status (MHT group, n = 319 007; non-MHT group, n = 801 698).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of CVD (a composite of myocardial infarction and stroke).

RESULTS

The incidence of CVD was 59 266 (7.4%) in the non-MHT group and 17 674 (5.5%) in the MHT group. After adjusting for confounding factors, an increased risk of CVD was observed with the administration of tibolone (hazard ratio, HR 1.143, 95% CI 1.117-1.170), oral estrogen (HR 1.246, 95% CI 1.198-1.295) or transdermal estrogen (HR 1.289, 95% CI 1.066-1.558), compared with the non-MHT group; the risk was based on an increased risk of stroke. The risk trends were consistent regardless of the age of starting MHT or the physicians' specialty. Among tibolone users, a longer period from entering menopause to taking tibolone and the use of any dosage (1.25 or 2.5 mg) were linked with a higher risk of CVD, compared with non-MHT users.

CONCLUSIONS

This nationwide cohort study demonstrated an increased risk of CVD, driven mainly by an increased risk of stroke, among tibolone and oral or transdermal estrogen users, compared with that of non-MHT users.

Insufficient use of menopausal hormone therapy in Swedish women with early or premature menopause caused by bilateral oophorectomy: a register-based study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) in premenopausal women after bilateral oophorectomy.

DESIGN

Retrospective register-based cohort study.

SETTING

Sweden.

POPULATION

Swedish women aged 35-44 years without malignancy who underwent bilateral oophorectomy in 2005-2020 were identified using The Swedish National Quality Register of Gynaecological Surgery (GynOp).

METHODS

Data from GynOp were cross-linked with data on dispensed drugs extracted from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Proportion of women dispensed MHT at least once within 1 year after surgery. Repeated treatment episodes were defined, and the proportion of 'person time' covered by dispensations was analysed.

RESULTS

In total, 1231 of all women (n = 1706) were dispensed MHT at some point after surgery, with 1177 women dispensed MHT within 1 year. This proportion increased from 64% in 2005 to 84% in 2019 (p < 0.001). In the total population, 4537 'treatment years' transpired, corresponding to 43% of the mean time covered. In women dispensed MHT within 1 year, the proportion of time covered was 63%.

CONCLUSIONS

Only 69% of all women without malignancy of any kind who underwent bilateral oophorectomy were dispensed MHT within 1 year after surgery, and the duration of treatment was limited. It is important to study further the reasons behind the low dispensation rate in this group to increase adherence to current treatment guidelines, improve quality of life, and avoid increased morbidity and mortality.

Cardiovascular risk assessment in women: which women are suited for menopausal hormone therapy?

Individual risk assessment for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is important for safe menopausal hormone prescription. Besides the traditional risk factors, female-specific risk variables related to pregnancy and gynecologic conditions importantly contribute to a more tailored risk assessment in women at middle age. Of these, prior pre-eclampsia/HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets) syndrome and early spontaneous menopause (<40 years) seem to be the strongest adverse risk variables. Concomitant inflammatory disorders should also be taken into account. Adding a coronary artery calcium score with a computed tomography scan to risk assessment has a high predictive value for future cardiovascular events. This should be considered to discriminate between low-risk and high-risk women when uncertainty exists. In women at intermediate risk, menopausal hormone therapy can be easily combined with preventive medication if cardiovascular risk factors are present. In women at higher risk who have severe disabling vasomotor symptoms, a lower dosage of hormone therapy can be considered in good collaboration between the gynecologist and the cardiologist/vascular specialist.

Collection of menopause data in studies of women living with HIV: A systematic literature review

OBJECTIVES

An increasing number of women living with HIV are transitioning through midlife and menopause. Women living with HIV may experience earlier menopause and a higher symptom burden than women without HIV, but more evidence is needed. Data collection on menopause in women living with HIV is scarce and often not standardized. We sought to assess how menopause data are collected in cohorts and studies of women living with HIV.

METHODS

This was a literature review conducted within the PubMed database. We included original studies and cohorts assessing menopause and/or menopausal symptoms in women living with HIV. Study characteristics and menopause data collection, including the definition of menopause, symptom assessment tools, and measurement of biomedical parameters, were noted and summarized systematically in data tables.

RESULTS

We included 40 articles describing 37 separate studies published between 2000 and 2023; 27 of these were conducted in high-income countries, the majority in the USA (n = 16). Ten studies were from low- and middle-income countries; four of these were conducted in Brazil. In 20 studies, menopause was defined according to the World Health Organization's definition of over 12 months of amenorrhea. Twelve studies used the Menopause Rating Scale to characterize menopausal symptoms, five studies used other specified symptom assessment tools, and 12 studies used a study-specific tool.

CONCLUSIONS

Menopause data collection in women living with HIV is heterogeneous. We propose that standardized tools should be used to enable comparisons between studies and countries, thereby improving the quality of research and clinical treatment. Further research into the validity of menopausal symptom scoring tools is warranted.

Evaluating the cost utility of estradiol plus dydrogesterone for the treatment of menopausal women in China

AIM

Evaluate the cost utility of menopausal hormone therapy for women in China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A bespoke Markov cost utility model was developed to evaluate a cohort of symptomatic perimenopausal women (>45 years) with intact uterus in China in accordance with China's Pharmacoeconomic guideline. Short (5-year) and long (10-year) treatment durations were evaluated over a lifetime model time horizon with 12-month cycle duration. Societal and healthcare payer perspectives were evaluated in the context of a primary care provider/prescriber, outpatient setting with inpatient care for patients with chronic conditions. Disease risk and mortality parameters were derived from focused literature searches, and China Diagnosis-related Group cost data was included. Comprehensive scenario, univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were undertaken along with independent validation. This is the first model to include MHT-related disease risks.

RESULTS

According to base case results, the total cost for MHT was 22,516$ (150,106¥) and total quality adjusted life years 12.32 versus total cost of no MHT 30,824$ (205,495¥) and total quality adjusted life years 11.16 resulting in a dominant incremental cost effectiveness ratio of -7,184$ (-47,898¥) per QALY. Results hold true over a range of univariate deterministic sensitivity and scenario analyses. Probabilistic analysis showed a 91% probability of being cost effective at a willingness to pay threshold of three times Gross Domestic Product per capita in China.

CONCLUSION

Contingent on the structure and assumptions of the model, combination of estradiol plus dydrogesterone MHT is potentially cost saving in symptomatic women over the age of 45 years in China.

Cardiovascular health and the menopause, metabolic health

Estrogen depletion following menopause predisposes to increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), mainly due to ischemic heart disease. This is mostly evident in cases with premature menopause. The pathophysiological basis for this atherosclerotic process is the accumulation of several risk factors, such as abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and arterial hypertension. The presence of vasomotor symptoms may further augment this risk, especially in women younger than 60 years. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) exerts many beneficial effects on lipid profile and glucose homeostasis as well as direct arterial effects, and may reduce CVD risk if initiated promptly (i.e.,<60 years or within ten years of the final menstrual period). Transdermal estradiol and micronized progesterone or dydrogesterone are the safest regimens in terms of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) and breast cancer risk. In any case, an individualized approach, taking into account the patient's total CVD, VTE and breast cancer risk, is recommended.

Associations of reproductive factors and exogenous estrogens with global and domain-specific cognition in later life

INTRODUCTION

Few studies have comprehensively examined the impact of reproductive factors (i.e., reproductive window, parity, hormonal contraception [HC], and menopausal hormone therapy [MHT]) on global and domain-specific cognition in later life.

METHODS

We studied a population-based sample of 2458 women (median age 74.2 years) residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota; participants underwent a clinical evaluation and comprehensive cognitive testing.

RESULTS

The length of a woman's reproductive window was not associated with cognition. Higher parity was associated with greater cognitive decline in all domains. Ever HC use was associated with less decline in all domains. Ever MHT use was associated with greater decline in global cognition and all domain-specific z-scores except visuospatial; results were driven by women who initiated MHT 5 or more years after menopause. Additional adjustments for APOE and vascular-related covariates did not attenuate the results.

DISCUSSION

Multiple reproductive risk factors are associated with cognitive decline in later life.

HIGHLIGHTS

The length of a woman's reproductive window was not associated with cognition longitudinally. Greater parity was associated with greater cognitive decline longitudinally. Ever HC use was associated with less decline in global cognition and all domain-specific z-scores longitudinally (all p < 0.01). Ever MHT use was associated with greater decline in global cognition and all domain-specific z-scores except visuospatial longitudinally (all p < 0.01). The greatest cognitive decline was among women who initiated MHT more than 5 years after menopause.

Progestogens for endometrial protection in combined menopausal hormone therapy: A systematic review

Menopausal women with an intact uterus choosing estrogens for menopausal symptom relief require a progestogen for endometrial protection. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the risks of endometrial hyperplasia resp. malignancy with different progestogens used in combined MHT. Overall, 84 RCTs were included. We found that 1) most studies were done with NETA, followed by MPA, MP and DYD and LNG, 2) most progestogens were only available as oral formulations, 3) the most frequently studied progestogens (oral MP, DYD, MPA, oral and transdermal NETA, transdermal LNG) were assessed in continuously as well as in sequentially combined MHT regimens, 4) FDA endometrial safety criteria were only fulfilled for some progestogen formulations, 5) most studies demonstrated endometrial protection for the progestogen dose and time period examined. However, 6) study quality varied which should be taken into account, when choosing a combined MHT, especially if off-label-use is chosen.

Comorbidities and menopause assessment in women living with HIV: a survey of healthcare providers across the WHO European region

ABSTRACTWomen living with HIV are reaching older age and experiencing menopause and age-related comorbidities. Data suggest that women living with HIV experience earlier menopause and more menopausal symptoms and age-related comorbidities compared to women without HIV. However, there are no guidelines on the screening for and management of age-related comorbidities and events in women living with HIV. Moreover, little is known about provision of care to this population across Europe. We surveyed 121 HIV healthcare providers in 25 World Health Organization European countries to ascertain screening practices for, and management of, menopause, psychosocial and sexual well-being and age-related comorbidities in women with HIV. Most respondents screened for diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and poor mental health at least annually. Low bone mineral density (BMD) was regularly checked but less than once a year. Fewer regularly screened for sexual well-being and intimate partner violence. Menstrual pattern and menopausal symptoms in women aged 45-54 were assessed by 67% and 59% of respondents. 44% stated that they were not confident assessing menopausal status and/or symptoms. CVD, diabetes, low BMD and poor mental health were managed mainly within HIV clinics, whereas menopause care was mainly provided by gynaecology or primary care. Most respondents stated a need for HIV and menopause guidelines. In conclusion, we found that whilst metabolic risk factors and poor mental health are regularly screened for, psychosocial and sexual well-being and menopausal symptoms could be improved. This highlights the need for international recommendations and clinician training to ensure the health of this population.

17β-Estradiol (E2) Upregulates the ERα/SIRT1/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway and Protects Mitochondrial Function to Prevent Bilateral Oophorectomy (OVX)-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Premature menopause is associated with an increased prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has been widely used in clinical practice and has the potential to protect mitochondrial function and alleviate NAFLD. After bilateral oophorectomy (OVX), female rats without 17β-estradiol (E2) intervention developed NAFLD, whereas E2 supplementation was effective in preventing NAFLD in female rats. The altered pathways and cellular events from both comparison pairs, namely, the OVX vs. sham group and the OVX vs. E2 group, were assessed using transcriptomic analysis. KEGG pathways enriched by both transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses strongly suggest that oxidative phosphorylation is a vital pathway that changes during the development of NAFLD and remains unchanged when E2 is applied. Liver tissue from the OVX-induced NAFLD group exhibited increased lipid peroxidation, impaired mitochondria, and downregulated ERα/SIRT1/PGC-1α expression. An in vitro study indicated that the protective effect of E2 treatment on hepatic steatosis could be abolished when ERα or SIRT1 was selectively inhibited. This damage was accompanied by reduced mitochondrial complex activity and increased lipid peroxidation. The current research indicates that E2 upregulates the ERα/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway and protects mitochondrial function to prevent OVX-induced NAFLD.

Role of menopausal hormone therapy in the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis

The use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has declined due to concerns about its potential side effects. However, its pivotal role in managing postmenopausal osteoporosis is gaining increased recognition. In this article, we explore how MHT assists postmenopausal women in maintaining bone health and preventing fractures. Recent research indicates that MHT significantly reduces the risk of fractures in women. This benefit is evident regardless of a woman's bone mineral density or their use of progestogens. However, there is limited evidence suggesting that the skeletal benefits continue once the treatment is discontinued. Possible complications of MHT include heart attacks, clots, strokes, dementia, and breast cancer. The most suitable candidates for MHT are women who have recently entered menopause, are experiencing menopausal symptoms, and are below 60 years of age with a minimal baseline risk of adverse events. The treatment is available to those who meet these criteria. For women undergoing premature menopause, MHT can be considered as a means to protect bone health, especially if initiated before menopause or if accelerated bone loss is documented soon after menopause. Such decisions should be made after evaluating individual risk factors and benefits.

'Tis but a scratch: a critical review of the Women's Health Initiative evidence associating menopausal hormone therapy with the risk of breast cancer

ABSTRACT

Use of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) fell precipitously after 2002, largely as a result of the Women's Health Initiative's report claiming that the combination of conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) and medroxyprogesterone acetate increased breast cancer risk and did not improve quality of life. More recently, Women's Health Initiative (WHI) publications acknowledge HT as the most effective treatment for managing menopausal vasomotor symptoms and report that CEE alone reduces the risk of breast cancer by 23% while reducing breast cancer death by 40%. Their sole remaining concern is a small increase in breast cancer incidence with CEE and medroxyprogesterone acetate (1 per 1,000 women per year) but with no increased risk of breast cancer mortality. This article closely examines evidence that calls even this claim of breast cancer risk into serious question, including the WHI's reporting of nonsignificant results as if they were meaningful, a misinterpretation of its own data, and the misleading assertion that the WHI's findings have reduced the incidence of breast cancer in the United States. A generation of women has been deprived of HT largely as a result of this widely publicized misinterpretation of the data. This article attempts to rectify this misunderstanding, with the goal of helping patients and physicians make informed joint decisions about the use of HT.

Postmenopausal hormone therapy in prior pre-eclamptic women: a nationwide cohort study in Finland

OBJECTIVE

We compared the trends of hormone therapy (HT) use among women with and without a history of pre-eclampsia.

METHODS

This national cohort study consisted of women with a pre-eclamptic pregnancy (n = 31,688) or a normotensive pregnancy (n = 91,726) (controls) during 1969-1993. The data on their use of HT during 1994-2019 were traced from the National Medicine Reimbursement Register.

RESULTS

Both women with a history of pre-eclampsia and controls initiated HT at a mean age of 49.9 years. Cumulative HT™ use during the total follow-up did not differ between the groups (31.1% vs. 30.6%, p = 0.066). However, HT use in previously pre-eclamptic women was less common in 1994-2006 (20.2% vs. 22.4%, p < 0.001) and more common in 2007-2019 (22.1% vs. 21.1%, p < 0.001) than in controls. This trend was also seen in the annual changes of HT starters. Women with a history of pre-eclampsia used HT for a shorter time (6.3 vs. 7.1 years, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to controls, HT use in previously pre-eclamptic women increased during the last half of the follow-up. This may reflect the changes in the international recommendations, the increased awareness of pre-eclampsia-related cardiovascular risk later in life and the aim to diminish this risk with HT.

The 2023 Practitioner's Toolkit for Managing Menopause

OBJECTIVE

The Practitioner's Toolkit for Managing the Menopause, developed in 2014, provided an accessible desk-top tool for health-care practitioners caring for women at midlife. To ensure the Toolkit algorithms and supporting information reflect current best practice, the Toolkit has been revised in accordance with the published literature.

METHODS

A systematic search for guidelines, position and consensus statements pertaining to the menopause and published after 2014 was undertaken, and key recommendations extracted from the Clinical Practice Guidelines determined to be the most robust by formal evaluation. The peer-reviewed literature was further searched for identified information gaps.

RESULTS

The revised Toolkit provides algorithms that guide the clinical assessment and care of women relevant to menopause. Included are the reasons why women present, information that should be ascertained, issues that may influence shared decision-making and algorithms that assist with determination of menopausal status, menopause hormone therapy (MHT) and non-hormonal treatment options for symptom relief. As clear guidelines regarding when MHT might be indicated to prevent bone loss and subsequent osteoporosis in asymptomatic women were found to be lacking, the Toolkit has been expanded to support shared decision-making regarding bone health.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2023 Toolkit and supporting document provide accessible desk-top information to support health-care providers caring for women at midlife.The Toolkit has been endorsed by the International Menopause Society, Australasian Menopause Society, British Menopause Society, Endocrine Society of Australia and Jean hailes for Women's Health.

Growth of a Nipple Adenoma After Estrogen Replacement Therapy

A nipple adenoma is an epithelial tumor of the lactiferous ducts, typically affecting women aged 50-60 years old. This case report discusses a 52-year-old woman who developed a papillary adenoma of the right nipple after initiating oral estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for perimenopausal symptoms. A 4 mm punch biopsy and subsequent immunohistochemistry stain revealed the proliferation of ductal structures consistent with a papillary adenoma and tumor cells expressing estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). Despite their benign nature, nipple adenomas may exhibit alterations in immunophenotype, including ER and PR expression, which could lead to potential tumor growth in women undergoing these treatments. This case describes the first reported growth of a nipple adenoma in the context of estrogen replacement therapy, highlighting a potential risk of hormone therapy in promoting hyperproliferation of benign tumors such as nipple adenomas. When utilizing ERT, it is important to weigh the potential advantages and risks, as its application in the management of vasomotor symptoms during menopause may increase the risk of both breast cancer and benign proliferative breast diseases. These considerations underscore the need for individualized therapy when approaching perimenopausal and postmenopausal care.

Obesity in perimenopause - current treatment options based on pathogenetic factors

The health of post-menopausal women has become of paramount concern due to the aging of the world's population. Concurrently, the prevalence of obesity among postmenopausal women is expected to increase, presenting a significant public health challenge. Although weight gain during menopause is a well-observed phenomenon, its underlying causes and mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This manuscript reviews the literature to explore potential hormonal factors and pathomechanisms contributing to obesity during perimenopause, aiming to identify pathogenic factors that can guide treatment selection. Menopause-induced hormonal changes, including hypoestrogenaemia, hypergonadotropinaemia, relative hyperandrogenaemia, growth hormone deficiency, leptin resistance, and chronic stress affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, have been implicated in the onset of obesity in perimenopausal women. These hormonal fluctuations, alongside lowered daily energy expenditure, lead to metabolic alterations that elevate the risk of developing metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Weight gain in perimenopausal women is associated with higher total and abdominal adipose tissue and lower lean body mass. Addressing this issue requires individualized behavioural management, supported by effective pharmacological therapy, and, when warranted, complemented by bariatric surgery. Modern obesity treatment therapies have demonstrated safety and efficacy in clinical trials, offering the potential to reduce excess body fat, improve metabolic profiles, lower cardiovascular risk, and enhance the quality and longevity of women's lives. In addition to standard obesity therapies, the article examines different treatment strategies based on obesity's pathogenic factors, which may offer promising options for treating obesity with or without complications in perimenopausal women. One such potential approach is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), which hypothetically targets visceral obesity by reducing visceral adipose tissue accumulation, preserving metabolically active lean body mass, and improving lipid profiles. However, despite these reported benefits, gynaecological and endocrinological societies currently do not recommend the use of MHT for obesity prevention or treatment, necessitating further research for validation. Emerging evidence suggests that visceral obesity could result from hypoestrogenaemia during perimenopause, potentially justifying the use of MHT as a causal treatment. This highlights the importance of advancing research efforts to unravel the intricate hormonal and metabolic changes that occur during perimenopause and their role in obesity development.

Endometriosis and menopause-management strategies based on clinical scenarios

Endometriosis is largely considered a premenopausal disease with symptoms often improving during menopausal transition. However, 2%-4% of postmenopausal women are affected by endometriosis symptoms. At the same time, many peri- and postmenopausal women experience menopausal symptoms and inquire about treatment. Because of the estrogen-dependent nature of endometriosis, treatment with menopausal hormone therapy requires careful assessment of the patient but should nevertheless be considered. Recurrence of endometriosis symptoms and risk for malignant transformation are potential risks to weigh when prescribing menopausal hormonal therapy. Choice of treatment should be guided by the presence and severity of current endometriosis symptoms, nature of menopausal symptoms, risk assessment of potential contraindications for treatment in patient history, and preferences of the woman after an informative discussion. Recurrence of endometriosis symptoms in a postmenopausal patient should always prompt rigorous evaluation, both in the presence and absence of hormonal treatment. Many recommendations on the topic are based on expert opinion and new studies are urgently needed to obtain evidence for optimal patient care.

Impact of estrogens on resting energy expenditure: A systematic review

The fear of weight gain is one of the main reasons for women not to initiate or to early discontinue hormonal contraception or menopausal hormone therapy. Resting energy expenditure is by far the largest component and the most important determinant of total energy expenditure. Given that low resting energy expenditure is a confirmed predictive factor for weight gain and consecutively for the development of obesity, research into the influence of sex steroids on resting energy expenditure is a particularly exciting area. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of medication with natural and synthetic estrogens on resting energy expenditure in healthy normal weight and overweight women. Through complex systematic literature searches, a total of 10 studies were identified that investigated the effects of medication with estrogens on resting energy expenditure. Our results demonstrate that estrogen administration increases resting energy expenditure by up to +208 kcal per day in the context of contraception and by up to +222 kcal per day in the context of menopausal hormone therapy, suggesting a preventive effect of circulating estrogen levels and estrogen administration on weight gain and obesity development.

Management of menopause: a survey of physicians from the Middle East and Africa

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated physicians' perceptions, practices, confidence, comfort level and prior training in managing menopause.

METHODS

A survey was conducted of a convenience sample of physicians from the Middle East and Africa (MEA) in 2019. We covered knowledge of symptoms, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), other menopause management strategies and prior training in menopause medicine.

RESULTS

Of the 254 participants, 64.2% were seniors in family medicine (36.4%), endocrinology (36.0%), gynecology (15.8%) and internal medicine (13.8%). Fewer than one-third (28.8%) correctly identified the diagnostic criteria of menopause. Almost all recognized vasomotor symptoms (99.5%), vaginal dryness (96.2%) and mood disturbance (94.3%), but to a lesser extent other symptoms. Inconsistency and critical gaps were identified in responses to competence questions on six case studies. They recalled having occasional (43.2%) or no training (19.4%) in menopause medicine and rated their preparedness to treat menopause widely. A total of 66.2% agreed that training is very important. Variation between specialties was identified.

CONCLUSION

Many physicians recognize the importance of education in menopause management, but their responses revealed critical knowledge gaps that underscored the need for comprehensive, evidence-based menopause management.

Menopausal hormone therapy and risk of dementia: health insurance database in South Korea-based retrospective cohort study

Introduction

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is used to alleviate the symptoms associated with menopause, despite the lack of recommendations for MHT in preventing dementia. Recent nationwide studies have explored the association between MHT and dementia risk, but the findings remain limited. This study aims to investigate the association between MHT and the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-AD dementia using national population data from Korea.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study using data from the National Health Insurance Service in Korea between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2019. Women over 40 years were eligible for this study and classified into the MHT or non-MHT groups. The MHT group consisted of women who used Tibolone (TIB), combined estrogen plus progestin by the manufacturer (CEPM), estrogen, combined estrogen plus progestin by a physician (CEPP), and transdermal estrogen during menopause. We compared the risk of dementia between the MHT and non-MHT groups.

Results

The study included 1,399,256 patients, of whom 387,477 were in the MHT group, and 1,011,779 were in the non-MHT group. The median duration of MHT was 23 months (range: 10-55 months). After adjusting for available confounders, we found that different types of MHT had varying effects on the occurrence of dementia. TIB (HR 1.041, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.072) and oral estrogen alone (HR 1.081, 95% CI 1.03-1.134) were associated with a higher risk of AD dementia. In contrast, there was no difference in the risk of AD dementia by CEPM (HR 0.975, 95% CI 0.93-1.019), CEPP (HR 1.131, 95% CI 0.997-1.283), and transdermal estrogen (HR 0.989, 95% CI 0.757-1.292) use. The use of TIB, CEPM, and oral estrogen alone increased the risk of non-AD dementia (HR 1.335, 95% CI 1.303-1.368; HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.21-1.292; and HR 1.128, 95% CI 1.079-1.179; respectively), but there was no risk of non-AD dementia in the other MHT groups (CEPP and topical estrogen).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that MHT has varying effects on the incidence of AD and non-AD dementia. Specifically, TIB, CEPM, and oral estrogen alone increase the risk of non-AD dementia, while transdermal estrogen is not associated with dementia risk. It is essential to consider the type of MHT used when assessing the risk of dementia in women.

Breaking down barriers for prescribing and using hormone therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms: an experts' perspective

INTRODUCTION

Around 80% of women suffer menopause-related symptoms that affect their daily activities and quality of life. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has proven to be beneficial in relieving these symptoms. Nevertheless, only 20/30% of symptomatic women seek treatment. This has resulted in neglect of a generation of healthcare professionals' (HCPs) education in menopausal medicine and a reduction in the prescription of MHT in menopausal women for over two decades.

AREAS COVERED

The aim of this article was to identify the main barriers that HCPs face for prescribing MHT and menopausal women for using it. Six European experts in menopause agreed on the profiles of women that benefit from MHT and proposed strategies to break down these barriers.

EXPERT OPINION

The most important barrier for HCPs was deficient knowledge of the true evidence-based information, with inadequate training regarding the efficacy and safety of personalized MHT and the real benefit/risk ratio in the treatment of symptomatic women. For patients, fear of developing breast cancer was identified as the single most important barrier. Breaking down barriers is possible, by providing appropriate training and education to HCPs and women. This should result in fully informed, evidence based, shared treatment decisions by women and their physicians.

The effects of exogenous estrogen in women with SAR-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

STUDY QUESTION

Does exogenous estrogen use affect COVID-19-related mortality in women?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) was associated with a lower likelihood of all-cause fatality related to COVID-19 in postmenopausal women (odds ratio (OR) 0.28, 95% CI 0.18, 0.44; 4 studies, 21 517 women) but the combined oral contraceptive pill in premenopausal women did not have a significant effect (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.42-2.41; 2 studies, 5099 women).

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Men are much more likely to die from COVID-19 than women.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

In this systematic meta-analysis, a literature search was conducted using the following search terms related toCOVID-19 and estrogen, sex hormones, hormonal replacement, menopause, or contraception. The PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were searched to identify relevant studies published between December 2019 and December 2021. We also searched MedRxiv as a preprint database and reviewed the reference lists of all included studies and clinical trial registries for ongoing clinical studies until December 2021.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

All comparative studies that compared the rates mortality and morbidity (hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and ventilation support) due to COVID-19 in women using exogenous estrogen to a control group of women (nonusers) were included. A review of the studies for inclusion, extraction of data, and assessment of the risk of bias was performed independently by two reviewers. The ROBINS-I tool and the RoB 2 tool were used for bias assessment of the included studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were calculated using Review Manager V5.4.1. The I2 statistic was used to quantify heterogeneity. The quality of the evidence was assessed using GRADE criteria.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

After searching the databases, we identified a total of 5310 studies. After removing duplicate records, ineligible studies, and ongoing studies, a total of four cohort studies and one randomized controlled trial comprising 177 809 participants were included in this review. There was a moderate certainty of evidence that MHT was associated with a lower likelihood of all-cause fatality related to COVID-19 (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.18, 0.44; I2 = 0%; 4 studies, 21 517 women). The review indicated a low certainty of evidence for other outcomes. The mortality rate of premenopausal women in the combined oral contraceptive pill group did not differ significantly from the control group (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.42-2.41; 2 studies, 5099 women). MHT marginally increased the rate of hospitalization and ICU admission (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.18-1.61; 3 studies, 151 485 women), but there was no significant difference in the need for respiratory support between MHT users and nonusers (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.52-1.59; 3 studies, 151 485 women). Overall, the tendency and magnitude of the effects of MHT in postmenopausal women with COVID-19 were consistent across the included studies.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The certainty of the evidence for other outcomes of this review may be limited, as all included studies were cohort studies. In addition, the dosages and durations of exogenous estrogen used by postmenopausal women varied from study to study, and combined progestogen administration may have had some effect on the outcomes.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The findings of this study can aid in counseling postmenopausal women taking MHT when they are diagnosed with COVID, as they have a lower chance of death than those not taking MHT.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

Khon Kaen University provided financial support for this review and had no involvement at any stage of the study. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO, CRD42021271882.

BRCA carriers after risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: menopausal hormone therapy knowledge gaps, and the impact of physicians' recommendations

OBJECTIVE

Female carriers of BRCA1/2 gene mutations are at an increased lifetime risk for breast and ovarian cancers. They are recommended to undergo risk-reducing surgery, including bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RR-BSO), upon completion of childbearing. RR-BSO surgery decreases morbidity and mortality but results in early menopause. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is under-utilized despite being shown as safe for carriers. We aim to evaluate the factors associated with decision-making regarding MHT use following RR-BSO in healthy BRCA mutation carriers.

METHODS

Female carriers aged <50 years who underwent RR-BSO and were followed in a multidisciplinary clinic completed online multiple-choice and free-text questionnaires.

RESULTS

A total of 142 women met the inclusion criteria and filled the questionnaire: 83 were MHT users and 59 were non-users. MHT users underwent RR-BSO earlier than non-users (40.82 ± 3.91 vs. 42.88 ± 4.34; p < 0.0001). MHT usage was positively associated with MHT explanation (odds ratio 4.318, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.341-13.902], p = 0.014), and knowledge regarding the safety of MHT and its effects on general health (odds ratio 2.001, 95% CI [1.443-2.774], p < 0.0001). MHT users and non-users retrospectively evaluated their comprehension of RR-BSO consequences as significantly lower than before surgery (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Post-RR-BSO outcomes, including the effects on women's quality of life and its possible mitigation through MHT use, need to be addressed pre surgery by healthcare providers.

Effect of external sleep disturbance on sleep architecture in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to use external sleep disturbance as a model to evaluate sleep architecture in climacteric women before and after menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).

METHODS

Seventeen perimenopausal and 18 postmenopausal women underwent a polysomnography protocol: an adaptation night, a reference night and a sleep disturbance night with one hand loosely tied to the bed for blood sampling. The sleep architecture of the reference and disturbance nights were compared. The 24-h urinary free cortisol concentration (UFC) was measured. The procedure was repeated after 6 months on MHT or placebo.

RESULTS

Fifteen perimenopausal and 17 postmenopausal women completed the study. The perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups were combined. During external sleep disturbance, sleep was shorter and more fragmented; with less stage 2, slow-wave and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and more wake time and awakenings, both at baseline and after the treatment period. Compared to the placebo group, sleep disturbance was minor for women on MHT: sleep was not shortened and the amount of slow-wave sleep did not decrease. Increased 24-h UFC was observed only during MHT.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep in climacteric women is easily disturbed, leading to shorter and more fragmented sleep with less deep sleep and REM sleep. Six months of MHT attenuates the observed sleep disturbance.

Endometrial cancer risk with menopausal hormone therapy: Health Insurance Database in South Korea-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the risk of endometrial cancer according to the types of menopausal hormones used.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study recruited postmenopausal women older than 40 years from 2003 to 2011, utilizing data from the Korean national health insurance system from 2002 to 2019. The menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) group consisted of women who had been prescribed MHT for greater than 6 months between 2003 and 2011. The non-MHT group consisted of women who had never used menopausal hormones between 2003 and 2011.

RESULTS

A non-MHT group of 1 000 550 women and a MHT group of 353 025 women were chosen. In comparison to never-users, the risk of endometrial cancer was not higher in women who reported last using tibolone (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96-1.2), combined estrogen plus progestin by the manufacturer (aHR 0.83, 0.72-0.96), combined estrogen plus progestin by the physician (aHR 0.88, 0.7-1.12), and transdermal estrogen (aHR 1.13, 0.36-3.52).

CONCLUSIONS

Tibolone, combined estrogen plus progestin by the physician, and transdermal estrogen do not affect the risk of endometrial cancer. The combination of estrogen plus progestin by the manufacturer decreases the risk of endometrial cancer.

Diagnosis and medical management of abnormal premenopausal and postmenopausal bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common reason for presentation to health-care providers: it is estimated that one woman in three will present to a care provider with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) during the reproductive years, and that at least one woman in 10 will experience postmenopausal bleeding. Although there are some variations in national guidelines for investigation, diagnosis and management of premenopausal AUB, there are far more areas of agreement than disagreement. A comprehensive literature search was undertaken to review national and international guidelines regarding investigation, diagnosis and management of AUB in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Areas of controversy are identified, and latest evidence reviewed. Although efforts to reduce hysterectomies for premenopausal AUB through medical management have largely been successful, there are areas where more research is necessary to guide optimal investigation and management. Many countries have well-defined guidelines for investigation and management of premenopausal AUB: there are fewer well-developed guidelines for investigation and management of postmenopausal bleeding. There is a paucity of evidence-based data on management of unscheduled bleeding on menopausal hormone therapy.

Vasomotor Symptoms During Menopause: A Practical Guide on Current Treatments and Future Perspectives

Vasomotor symptoms affect as many as 80% of midlife women, but only about one in four women receive treatment due to many factors. Menopausal hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms, and current professional guidelines conclude that the benefits of treatment typically outweigh the risks for healthy, symptomatic women under age 60 years and those within 10 years from their final menstrual period. For women with medical comorbidities, an individualized approach to treatment is recommended. For women who cannot use or choose not to use menopausal hormone therapy, there are many evidence-based non-hormonal options available including pharmacologic therapies. This review aims to summarize treatment options for bothersome vasomotor symptoms to guide clinicians caring for midlife women.

The Effect of Menopause and Menopausal Hormone Therapy on the Risk of Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD), defined as lower extremity arterial disease, constitutes an underestimated aspect of the menopause-associated risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Accumulation of ASCVD risk factors, such as atherogenic dyslipidaemia, diabetes, and arterial hypertension, after the transition to menopause may contribute to atherosclerotic plaque formation in peripheral arteries. However, inconsistency exists among studies as to whether transition to menopause increases the risk of PAD, although early menopause (<45 years) or premature ovarian insufficiency may accelerate peripheral atherosclerotic plaque formation. Menopausal hormone therapy may decrease the risk of PAD if administered early (i.e., within the first 5-6 years after last menstruation), whereas it has no effect in women with established ASCVD.

Brain fog in menopause: a health-care professional's guide for decision-making and counseling on cognition

Midlife women commonly experience changes in their cognitive function as they transition through menopause and express concern about whether these changes represent the initial stages of a more serious cognitive disorder. Health-care practitioners play an important role in counseling women on cognitive changes at midlife and normalizing women's experience. The aim of this commissioned International Menopause Society White Paper on cognition is to provide practitioners with an overview of data informing the clinical care of menopausal women and a framework for clinical counseling and decision-making. Among the topics presented are the specific cognitive changes occurring in menopause, the duration of such changes and their severity. The role of estrogen and menopause symptoms is reviewed. We present talking points for clinical counseling on the effects of hormone therapy on cognition and dementia risk in women, including discussion of absolute risk. Lastly, a brief review of modifiable risk factors for age-related cognitive decline and dementia is presented, with guidance for counseling patients on optimizing their brain health at midlife and beyond.

Identification of Candidate Genes in Breast Cancer Induced by Estrogen Plus Progestogens Using Bioinformatic Analysis

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) was widely used to treat menopause-related symptoms in menopausal women. However, MHT therapies were controversial with the increased risk of breast cancer because of different estrogen and progestogen combinations, and the molecular basis behind this phenomenon is currently not understood. To address this issue, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the estrogen plus progestogens treatment (EPT) and estrogen treatment (ET) using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. As a result, a total of 96 upregulated DEGs were first identified. Seven DEGs related to the cell cycle (CCNE2, CDCA5, RAD51, TCF19, KNTC1, MCM10, and NEIL3) were validated by RT-qPCR. Specifically, these seven DEGs were increased in EPT compared to ET (p < 0.05) and had higher expression levels in breast cancer than adjacent normal tissues (p < 0.05). Next, we found that estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer patients with a higher CNNE2 expression have a shorter overall survival time (p < 0.05), while this effect was not observed in the other six DEGs (p > 0.05). Interestingly, the molecular docking results showed that CCNE2 might bind to 17β-estradiol (−6.791 kcal/mol), progesterone (−6.847 kcal/mol), and medroxyprogesterone acetate (−6.314 kcal/mol) with a relatively strong binding affinity, respectively. Importantly, CNNE2 protein level could be upregulated with EPT and attenuated by estrogen receptor antagonist, acolbifene and had interactions with cancer driver genes (AKT1 and KRAS) and high mutation frequency gene (TP53 and PTEN) in breast cancer patients. In conclusion, the current study showed that CCNE2, CDCA5, RAD51, TCF19, KNTC1, MCM10, and NEIL3 might contribute to EPT-related tumorigenesis in breast cancer, with CCNE2 might be a sensitive risk indicator of breast cancer risk in women using MHT.

Relationship between Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Oral Cancer: A Cohort Study Based on the Health Insurance Database in South Korea

The association between the development of oral cavity cancer and sex hormones is unclear and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and oral cavity cancer in menopausal women in Korea. In this retrospective cohort study, data were provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service regarding a screening examination conducted from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2019. Postmenopausal patients aged ≥40 years were considered, including 333,072 women in the MHT group and 847,558 women in the non-MHT group. Participants were divided into MHT types (tibolone, combined estrogen plus progestin by manufacturer, estrogen, combined estrogen plus progestin by physician, and topical estrogen), and the risk factors for oral cavity cancer development were analyzed. There was no significant association between smoking, alcohol consumption, age at menarche, and age at menopause with oral cavity cancer in postmenopausal women. However, the oral estrogen (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.633; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35–1.976) and tibolone groups (HR: 1.633; 95% CI: 1.35–1.976) were associated with an elevated risk of oral cavity cancer. The results of this study suggest that MHT increases the risk of oral cavity cancer in postmenopausal women.

Upregulation of an estrogen receptor-regulated gene by first generation progestins requires both the progesterone receptor and estrogen receptor alpha

Progestins, synthetic compounds designed to mimic the activity of natural progesterone (P4), are used globally in menopausal hormone therapy. Although the older progestins medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and norethisterone (NET) have been implicated in increased breast cancer risk, little is known regarding newer progestins, and no significant risk has been associated with P4. Considering that breast cancer is the leading cause of mortality in women, establishing which progestins increase breast cancer incidence and elucidating the underlying mechanisms is a global priority. We showed for the first time that the newer-generation progestin drospirenone (DRSP) is the least potent progestin in terms of proliferation of the estrogen-responsive MCF-7 BUS breast cancer cell line, while NET and P4 have similar potencies to estradiol (E2), the known driver of breast cancer cell proliferation. Notably, MPA, the progestin most frequently associated with increased breast cancer risk, was significantly more potent than E2. While all the progestogens enhanced the anchorage-independent growth of the MCF-7 BUS cell line, MPA promoted a greater number of colonies than P4, NET or DRSP. None of the progestogens inhibited E2-induced proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. We also showed that under non-estrogenic conditions, MPA and NET, unlike P4 and DRSP, increased the expression of the estrogen receptor (ER) target gene, cathepsin D, via a mechanism requiring the co-recruitment of ERα and the progesterone receptor (PR) to the promoter region. In contrast, all progestogens promoted the association of the PR and ERα on the promoter of the PR target gene, MYC, thereby increasing its expression under non-estrogenic and estrogenic conditions. These results suggest that progestins differentially regulate the way the PR and ER converge to modulate the expression of PR and ER-regulated genes. Our novel findings indicating similarities and differences between P4 and the progestins, emphasize the importance of comparatively investigating effects of individual progestins rather than grouping them as a class. Further studies are required to underpin the clinical relevance of PR/ERα crosstalk in response to different progestins in both normal and malignant breast tissue, to either confirm or refute their suitability in combination therapy for ER-positive breast cancer.

Risk of venous thromboembolism during the use of oral estrogen-progestogen hormone therapies in light of most recent research findings

Two important studies evaluating the safety profile of oral estrogen-progestogen hormonal therapies conducted in standard clinical practice with respect to the venous system were recently published. A large prospective controlled cohort study (PRO-E2) based on the non-inferiority design has shown that the relative risk of developing venous thrombosis (VTE) in women using combined oral hormonal contraceptives (COHC) containing 17β-estradiol (1.5 mg) and nomegestrol acetate (2.5 mg) (E2/NOMAC) was not statistically different from that in users of COHC containing ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel (EE/LNG). The aim of the recently presented study was to compare the risk of VTE in patients treated with a product for oral continuous combined menopausal hormone therapy containing 1 mg of 17ß-estradiol and 100 mg of micronized progesterone (1 mgE2/100 mgP4) with patients taking conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate (CEE/MPA). The study was based on an analysis of records retrieved from a US health insurance database, and was therefore concerned the real-life clinical practice. The hazard ratio of VTE when comparing 1 mgE2/100 mgP4 with CEE/MPA was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.53-0.92). The difference was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The rewieved studies provide further evidence that the use of hormones bioidentical with endogenous steroids in oral contraception and menopausal hormone therapy creates an opportunity to combine high efficacy with a favorable safety profile.

Menopause, hysterectomy, menopausal hormone therapy and cause-specific mortality: cohort study of UK Biobank participants

STUDY QUESTION

What is the association between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and cause-specific mortality?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Self-reported MHT use following early natural menopause, surgical menopause or premenopausal hysterectomy is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer mortality and is not consistently associated with the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease or other causes.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Evidence from the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trials showed that the use of estrogen alone is not associated with the risk of cardiovascular mortality and is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer mortality, but evidence from the Million Women Study showed that use of estrogen alone is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer mortality.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Cohort study (the UK Biobank), 178 379 women, recruited in 2006-2010.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Postmenopausal women who had reported age at menopause (natural or surgical) or hysterectomy, and information on MHT and cause-specific mortality. Age at natural menopause, age at surgical menopause, age at hysterectomy and MHT were exposures of interest. Natural menopause was defined as spontaneous cessation of menstruation for 12 months with no previous hysterectomy or oophorectomy. Surgical menopause was defined as the removal of both ovaries prior to natural menopause. Hysterectomy was defined as removal of the uterus before natural menopause without bilateral oophorectomy. The study outcome was cause-specific mortality.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Among the 178 379 women included, 136 790 had natural menopause, 17 569 had surgical menopause and 24 020 had hysterectomy alone. Compared with women with natural menopause at the age of 50-52 years, women with natural menopause before 40 years (hazard ratio (HR): 2.38, 95% CI: 1.64, 3.45) or hysterectomy before 40 years (HR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.07) had a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality but not cancer mortality. MHT use was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer mortality following surgical menopause before 45 years (HR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.36), at 45-49 years (HR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.35) or at ≥50 years (HR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.63), and the association between MHT use and the risk of breast cancer mortality did not differ by MHT use duration (<6 or 6-20 years). MHT use was also associated with a lower risk of breast cancer mortality following natural menopause before 45 years (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.95) or hysterectomy before 45 years (HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.74).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Self-reported data on age at natural menopause, age at surgical menopause, age at hysterectomy and MHT.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The current international guidelines recommend women with early menopause to use MHT until the average age at menopause. Our findings support this recommendation.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This project is funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (grant numbers APP1027196 and APP1153420). G.D.M. is supported by NHMRC Principal Research Fellowship (APP1121844), and M.H. is supported by an NHMRC Investigator Grant (APP1193838). There are no competing interests.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

Long-term survival of non-localized epithelial ovarian cancer among women using menopausal hormone therapy prior to diagnosis - the Extreme study

Prediagnostic use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has been suggested to be associated with improved survival of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We investigated the potential long‐term survival benefit of prediagnostic MHT use in women ≥50 years with nonlocalized EOC using the Extreme study including all women in Denmark registered with nonlocalized EOC during 2000 to 2014 (N = 3776). We obtained individual‐level information on prediagnostic use of systemic estrogen therapy (ET) and estrogen plus progestin therapy (EPT) from the National Prescription Registry and estimated absolute and relative 5‐ and 10‐year survival probabilities with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using pseudo‐values, taking into account histology, comorbidity, income and residual disease. Among women not having used prediagnostic MHT, 5‐ and 10‐year absolute survival probabilities were 19% and 11%, respectively. Compared to MHT nonusers, prediagnostic systemic ET use for 3 to 4 years and ≥ 5 years was associated with 1.43 (95% CI: 1.01‐2.02) and 1.22 (95% CI: 0.96‐1.55) times higher 5‐year survival probabilities, respectively. Ten‐year survival probabilities were also increased but not statistically significantly. Among prediagnostic EPT users, increased 5‐year (1.14, 95% CI: 0.85‐1.53) and 10‐year (1.38, 95% CI: 0.91‐2.08) survival probabilities were observed after use for 3 to 4 years compared to MHT nonuse, whereas EPT use for ≥5 years was not associated with long‐term survival of nonlocalized EOC. Our findings may suggest a better long‐term survival of nonlocalized EOC in women having used long‐term prediagnostic ET. However, the statistical precision of our results did not allow firm conclusions and more studies are needed.

Premature and early menopause among US women with or at risk for HIV

OBJECTIVE

Little is known about the prevalence and treatment of premature and early menopause among people with HIV. We described premature and early menopause and subsequent hormonal treatment in a longitudinal cohort of women living with or at risk for HIV in the US.

METHODS

Data from the Women's Interagency HIV Study between 2008 and 2020 were analyzed to describe premature and early menopause among cohort participants under the age of 51.

RESULTS

Of 3,059 eligible women during the study period, 1% (n = 35) underwent premature menopause before age 41, 3% (n = 101) underwent menopause between ages 41 and 46, and 21% (n = 442) underwent menopause between ages 46 and 50, inclusive. Of participants who experienced menopause before age 41, between age 41 and 45, and between ages 46 and 50, 51%, 24%, and 7% (respectively) received either menopausal hormone therapy or hormonal contraception.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that disparities in receipt of recommended hormone therapy for premature and early menopause may contribute, in part, to evident health disparities, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and overall mortality. They also suggest a substantial need for education among people experiencing early menopause and their providers, with the goal of improving access to hormone therapy based on guidelines to address health disparities and minimize future health consequences.

Menopause-associated risk of cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is of major concern in women entering menopause. The changing hormonal milieu predisposes them to increased CVD risk, due to a constellation of risk factors, such as visceral obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, dysregulation in glucose homeostasis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and arterial hypertension. However, an independent association of menopause per se with increased risk of CVD events has only been proven for early menopause (<45 years). Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) ameliorates most of the CVD risk factors mentioned above. Transdermal estrogens are the preferable regimen, since they do not increase triglyceride concentrations and they are not associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTE). Although administration of MHT should be considered on an individual basis, MHT may reduce CVD morbidity and mortality, if commenced during the early postmenopausal period (<60 years or within ten years since the last menstrual period). In women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), MHT should be administered at least until the average age of menopause (50-52 years). MHT is contraindicated in women with a history of VTE and is not currently recommended for the sole purpose of CVD prevention. The risk of breast cancer associated with MHT is generally low and is mainly conferred by the progestogen. Micronized progesterone and dydrogesterone are associated with lower risk compared to other progestogens.

Dydrogesterone after 60 years: a glance at the safety profile

OBJECTIVE

To provide an evidence-based safety and tolerability overview of dydrogesterone under various progesterone-deficient conditions as a commemoration of its role in managing women's reproductive health over the past 60 years.

METHODS

To identify relevant publications, we used a semi-systematic approach, which included performing a structured search through the PubMed and Cochrane central databases as well as an unstructured search for publications published in English from 2010 onward with human clinical data.

RESULTS

A total of 32 relevant clinical studies were identified. Results were reported in the context of overall adverse events (AEs) and segregated according to various progesterone-deficient conditions. AEs concerning breasts (breast cancer risk), the endometrium (endometrial cancer risk), venous thromboembolism risk, and cardiovascular risk were found to be minimal when dydrogesterone was used as part of a menopausal hormone therapy regimen lasting ≤260 weeks. Vagina-related AEs, such as bleeding, discharge, irritation, and difficult coitus, occurred less frequently with dydrogesterone when used as luteal phase support in the context of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). However, other common AEs, such as headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, flatulence, and nausea, occurred more frequently with dydrogesterone. No maternal complications or congenital anomalies could be linked to dydrogesterone usage during ARTs or during early pregnancy to prevent recurrent miscarriages. Studies on dydrogesterone in endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome remain scarce.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-approval, dydrogesterone has displayed a favorable safety and tolerability profile during its 60-year use, which is reassuring, considering its important role in managing women's reproductive health.

Oral Contraceptive and Menopausal Hormone Therapy Use and Risk of Pituitary Adenoma: Cohort and Case-Control Analyses

CONTEXT

No prospective epidemiologic studies have examined associations between use of oral contraceptives (OCs) or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and risk of pituitary adenoma in women.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to determine the association between use of OC and MHT and risk of pituitary adenoma in two separate datasets.

METHODS

We evaluated the association of OC/MHT with risk of pituitary adenoma in the Nurses' Health Study and Nurses' Health Study II by computing multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (MVHR) of pituitary adenoma by OC/MHT use using Cox proportional hazards models. Simultaneously, we carried out a matched case-control study using an institutional data repository to compute multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (MVOR) of pituitary adenoma by OC/MHT use.

RESULTS

In the cohort analysis, during 6 668 019 person-years, 331 participants reported a diagnosis of pituitary adenoma. Compared to never-users, neither past (MVHR = 1.05; 95% CI, 0.80-1.36) nor current OC use (MVHR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.40-1.32) was associated with risk. For MHT, compared to never-users, both past (MVHR = 2.00; 95% CI, 1.50-2.68) and current use (MVHR = 1.80; 95% CI, 1.27-2.55) were associated with pituitary adenoma risk, as was longer duration (MVHR = 2.06; 95% CI, 1.42-2.99 comparing more than 5 years of use to never, P trend = .002). Results were similar in lagged analyses, when stratified by body mass index, and among those with recent health care use. In the case-control analysis, we included 5469 cases. Risk of pituitary adenoma was increased with ever use of MHT (MVOR = 1.57; 95% CI, 1.35-1.83) and OC (MVOR = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.14-1.42) compared to never.

CONCLUSION

Compared to never use, current and past MHT use and longer duration of MHT use were positively associated with higher risk of pituitary adenoma in 2 independent data sets. OC use was not associated with risk in the prospective cohort analysis and was associated with only mildly increased risk in the case-control analysis.

The impact of micronized progesterone on cardiovascular events - a systematic review

Biologically identical menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) including micronized progesterone (MP) has gained much attention. We aimed to assess the impact of MP in combined MHT on venous and arterial thromboembolism (VTE/ATE) (e.g. deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction [MI] and ischemic stroke). Articles were eligible if they provided endpoints regarding cardiovascular events and use of exogenous MP. Literature searches were designed and executed for the databases Medline, Embase, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and interdisciplinary database Web of Science. Twelve studies consisting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), case-control studies and prospective or retrospective cohort studies were included, and risk of bias was assessed. Only a minority assessed thromboembolic events as a primary endpoint, showing that in contrast to norpregnane derivatives, primary and recurrent VTE risk was not altered by combining estrogens with MP, which was also true for ischemic stroke risk. Similarly, in placebo-controlled RCTs assessing VTE/ATE as adverse events there were no significant intergroup differences. Studies on MI as a primary endpoint are missing. In conclusion, while available data suggest that MP as a component in combined MHT may have a neutral effect on the vascular system, more RCTs investigating the impact of MP alone or in combined MHT on vascular primary endpoints are needed.

Menopausal hormone therapy and risk of biliary tract cancers

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) has a female predominance, whereas the other biliary tract cancers (BTCs) have a male predominance, suggesting that sex hormones may be involved in carcinogenesis. We sought to evaluate the association between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and the risk of BTC in women.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

This nested case-control study was conducted in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Cases diagnosed between 1990 and 2017 with incident primary cancers of the gallbladder (GBC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), ampulla of Vater (AVC), and mixed type were matched to 5 controls on birth year, diagnosis year, and years in the general practice using incidence density sampling. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate ORs and 95% CIs for associations between MHT use and BTC type. The sample consisted of 1,682 BTC cases (483 GBC, 870 CCA, 105 AVC, and 224 mixed) and 8,419 matched controls with a mean age of 73 (SD, 11) years. Combined formulations (estrogen-progesterone) were associated with an increased GBC risk (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.08, 3.59). Orally administered MHT was associated with an increased GBC risk (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.24, 4.17). Estrogen-only formulations (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.34, 0.93) and cream or suppository administrations (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34, 0.95) were associated with decreased CCA risk. The number of prescriptions, dose, duration of use, and time since last use were not associated with GBC or CCA risk. MHT use was not associated with risk of AVC or mixed cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination MHT formulations and oral administrations were associated with increased GBC risk, whereas estrogen-only formulations were associated with a lower CCA risk. MHT formulation and administration should be carefully considered when prescribing.

Hormone therapy and melanoma in women

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Melanocytes are known to respond to estrogen stimulation.

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Knowledge of estrogen therapy in melanoma tumor behavior is essential to inform accurate patient prognostication.

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There is limited evidence to suggest oral contraception and fertility treatments affect melanoma incidence.

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The effect of menopausal hormone therapy on melanoma risk requires further investigation with multinational studies.

Although primary cutaneous melanoma accounts for approximately 3% of all malignant skin tumors, it has the greatest contribution to skin cancer–related death. Sex-specific differences in melanoma tumor behavior have been described, and melanoma pathogenesis may be hormonally mediated. This review aims to summarize the literature to date regarding the effects of hormone therapy on melanoma in women. Women's exogenous hormone use has changed dramatically over the past few decades. Thus, we focus on studies investigating the associations between oral contraception, fertility treatments, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), and melanoma. Across hormone therapy types, there does not appear to be a well-established association between exogenous female hormones and melanoma incidence. However, MHT practices and formulations vary significantly across countries. Although MHT does not appear to increase melanoma risk in studies from the United States, conflicting results have been observed in Europe. Unopposed estrogen MHT formulations require further investigation to determine a clear pattern between hormone use and the development of melanoma.

The Impact of Soy Isoflavone Supplementation on the Menopausal Symptoms in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

Introduction

Approximately one-third of a woman's life is spent in the menopausal phase. The unpleasant menopausal symptoms are unacceptable as a part of routine life. Indications of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) are for alleviation of vasomotor symptoms, prevention of osteoporosis, and genitourinary symptoms associated with menopause. MHT is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, cerebrovascular accidents, and coronary heart disease. Soy isoflavones have been extensively used as an alternative treatment in patients who cannot take MHT. The evidence of the efficacy of isoflavones in the literature is equivocal.

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of soy isoflavone supplementation on menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women and to evaluate the effect on blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI).

Materials and Methods

A questionnaire-based prospective observational study was undertaken involving 39 perimenopausal and 61 postmenopausal women, who were prescribed 40 mg soy isoflavone supplements twice daily for 12 weeks. Menopause Rating Scale questionnaire was given to the patients before starting soy isoflavone therapy and at the end of the treatment; BP and BMI were also noted.

Results

The total score of both the groups was comparable at baseline. Among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, the highest score was noted in symptoms of somatic domain. At the completion of our study, the total scores improved significantly by 38.6% and 33.3% in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, respectively. The greatest improvement was seen in somatic subscale (42.5%) and psychological subscale (42.5%) and the least in urogenital subscale (16.1%) for perimenopausal women. For postmenopausal women, the greatest improvement was seen in psychological subscale (40.0%) and the least in urogenital subscale (14.2%).

Conclusion

Soy isoflavone supplementation is beneficial in both perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, more so in perimenopausal women. There is no beneficial effect of soy isoflavone supplementation on lowering systolic BP and BMI.

Menopausal hormone therapy does not improve some domains of memory: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Aged women appear to be at a higher risk of developing memory impairment than men. Whether menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) could improve memory in postmenopausal women remains unclear. We thus conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the potential effect of MHT on memory, especially verbal memory, in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and web of ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials comparing MHT versus placebo in postmenopausal women. Our primary outcome of interest is memory function.

RESULTS

We included 10 studies with 2,818 participants in the final analysis. There was no significant differences in immediate recall (weighted mean difference [WMD] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.73, 1.40), delayed recall (WMD 0.99, 95% CI: -0.51, 2.48), short-delay (WMD -0.00, 95% CI: -0.37, 0.37), and long-delay (WMD -0.19, 95% CI: -0.69, 0.31) recall between WMT and placebo. WMT was associated with a lower digit span forward (mean reduction -0.20, 95% CI: -0.36, -0.03). In women within 5 years of menopause, MHT did not differ in immediate (0.45, 95% CI: -0.75, 1.65) or delayed recall (1.03, 95% CI: -0.93, 3.00), and digit span forward (-0.11, 95% CI: -0.72, 0.50), when compared with placebo.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggested that MHT had no effect on verbal memory in postmenopausal women, and may impair some domains of short-term memory. Current available evidence does not support MHT for improving memory in women less than 60 years, even in recently menopausal women.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42021233255.

The Effect of Exogenous Sex Steroids on the Vaginal Microbiota: A Systematic Review

Background

Exogenous sex steroids within hormonal contraception and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) have been used for family planning and management of menopausal symptoms, without consideration of their effects on the vaginal microbiota. This is largely because their use predates our understanding of the importance of the vaginal microbiome on human health. We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42018107730) to determine the influence of exogenous sex steroids, stratified by oestrogen-containing or progestin-only types of contraception, and MHT on the vaginal microbiome, as measured by molecular methods.

Methods

Embase, PubMed and Medline were searched for relevant literature published through to December 1st 2020. Eligible studies reported on the effect of specific exogenous sex steroids on the vaginal microbiome using a molecular method. Data regarding the ‘positive’, ‘negative’ or ‘neutral’ effect of each type of contraceptive or MHT on the vaginal microbiome was extracted and summarised. A positive effect reflected sex steroid exposure that was associated with increased abundance of lactobacilli, a change to, or maintenance of, an optimal vaginal microbiota composition, or a decrease in bacterial diversity (specifically reflecting a low-diversity optimal microbiota state), relative to the control group. An exogenous sex steroid was designated as having a negative effect on the vaginal microbiome if it resulted in opposing effects (i.e. loss of lactobacilli, a non-optimal microbiota state). When no significant change was found, this was considered neutral/inconclusive.

Results

We identified 29 manuscripts reporting on the effect of exogenous sex steroids on the vaginal microbiome; 25 investigating hormonal contraceptives, and 4 investigating MHT. Oestrogen-containing contraception, particularly reflecting the combined oestrogen and progestin-containing contraceptive pill, had a positive effect on the composition of the vaginal microbiota. Progestin-only contraception, particularly reflecting depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate, had mixed effects on the microbiota. Among post-menopausal women using MHT, exogenous oestrogen applied topically was associated with increased prevalence of lactobacilli.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that oestrogen-containing compounds may promote an optimal vaginal microbiota, which could have clinical applications. The impact of progestin-only contraceptives on the vaginal microbiota is less clear; more data is needed to determine how progestin-only contraceptives contribute to adverse reproductive and sexual health outcomes.

Menopausal hormone therapy in women with benign gynaecological conditions and cancer

The efficacy of menopausal hormone therapy for bothersome menopausal symptoms is well established. However, there are a range of benign and malignant gynaecological conditions that pose a challenge in managing menopausal symptoms. Their hormone-dependent nature either raises concerns about symptom recurrence or malignant disease progression making decisions about menopausal hormone therapy complex for both clinicians and patients. It appears there is a small potential for symptom recurrence with menopausal hormone therapy use in menopausal women with a history of severe endometriosis. Malignant transformation of previous endometriotic lesions is likely to be rare but is not adequately understood. In this setting, combined hormone therapy is preferred, including in woman post-hysterectomy. Uterine fibroids are not a contraindication to menopausal hormone therapy use but women with large fibroids at menopause should have regular follow-up of their fibroids. Generally, menopausal hormone therapy is considered appropriate for women with cervical cancer and most ovarian cancers except for low grade serous tumours. Endometrial cancer requires an individualised discussion. The overall quality of data in this area is poor but suggests women with a low risk of recurrence may consider hormonal therapy, balancing symptom impact with prognosis.