Dietary intake and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a systematic review.

Despite literature pointing to a relation between dietary intake and menopausal symptoms, most studies have evaluated either only supplements or only specific nutrients or foods. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a systematic review of the literature regarding the association between dietary intake and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase to identify studies published between 2009 and 2019. We identified 3828 studies; after screening, 73 studies were reviewed and 19 of these investigated nutrient and food intake and eating patterns associated with the intensity of menopausal symptoms. Studies evaluating diet quality or dietary patterns showed an association between lower intensity of psychological symptoms, sleep disorders, and vasomotor, urogenital, and somatic symptoms and higher consumption of vegetables, whole grains, and unprocessed foods. Also, the intensity of these symptoms is associated with high-processed foods, saturated fats, and sugars. Regarding nutrient and/or specific food, the studies indicated an association between caffeine intake and type of fat intake and the intensity of menopausal symptoms. Dietary intake was found to be associated with the severity of menopausal symptoms; however, evidence for the association between dietary intake and menopausal symptoms is inconsistent and inconclusive, and is provided by a small number of studies.

Effects of the addition of methyltestosterone to combined hormone therapy with estrogens and progestogens on sexual energy and on orgasm in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the addition of methyltestosterone to estrogen and progestogen therapy on postmenopausal sexual energy and orgasm. METHODS: Sixty postmenopausal women in a stable relationship with a partner capable of intercourse, and presenting sexual complaints that appeared after menopause, were randomly divided into two groups: EP (n = 29) received one tablet of equine estrogens (CEE) 0.625 mg plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 2.5 mg and one capsule of placebo; EP + A (n = 31) received one tablet of CEE 0.625 mg plus MPA 2.5 mg and one capsule of methyltestosterone 2.0 mg; The treatment period was 12 months. The effects of treatment on sexual energy were assessed using the Sexual Energy Change Scale. The ability to reach orgasm in sexual relations with the partner was verified through monthly calendars and by calculating the ratio between monthly frequency of orgasms in sexual relations and monthly sexual frequency. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between improvement in level of sexual energy and the addition of methyltestosterone to CEE/MPA treatment (p = 0.021). No significant effect on orgasmic capacity was noted after the treatment period. CONCLUSION: Addition of methyltestosterone to CEE/MPA therapy may increase sexual energy, but might not affect the ability to obtain orgasm in sexual relations.