Influence of obesity and hormone disturbances on sexuality of women in the menopause.

OBJECTIVE: To assess influence of obesity and hormone disturbances on sexuality in the menopause. METHODS: The study included 73 menopausal women, who were divided into groups according to body mass index (BMI) ≥ 26.7 kg/m2. Anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were measured. Blood was taken at 08:00 for hormones. All the participants filled in McCoy Female Sexual Questionnaire for the assessment of sexual life. STATISTICS: Student's t-test, correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were very significantly lower in obese compared to controls. E2 and systolic blood pressure were very significantly, while diastolic blood pressure significantly higher in obese compared to controls. Obese women had significantly decreased frequency of pain during sexual intercourse (3.48 ± 2.64 vs. 4.09 ± 2.81). Influence of age on frequency of sexual intercourse was very significant. Significant influence in interaction between BMI and age on frequency of sexual fantasies as well as significant influence of BMI on satisfaction with partner as lover is also found. CONCLUSION: Obesity has influence on different aspects of sexuality in the postmenopausal women. Our results suggest the need of awareness toward obesity and its impact on sexuality in the menopause.

[Influence of duration of menopause, anthropometric and hormonal parameters on metabolic syndrome].

INTRODUCTION: Hypoestrogenic status in the menopausal women shows a shift to a central android fat distribution and metabolic syndrome (MIS). Related metabolic changes and hypertension increase the risk for cardiovascular (CV) diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of duration of menopause, anthropometric and hormonal parameters on metabolic syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 obese women were examined with BMI = 31.92 = 5.83 kg/m2, age 54.40 +/- 3.64, time since menopause 5.90 +/- 5.46 years. Control group consisted of 37 normal weight women with BMI = 23.50 +/- 2.13 kg/m2, age 53.92 +/- 3.95, time since menopause 5.96 +/- 4.92 years. Anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were measured. Blood was taken at 8 am for: fasting glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, apolipoprotein A (ApoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, FSH, LH, prolactin, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). RESULTS: In obese women significant negative correlations were found for: BMI anid HDL (p < 0.05), waist and HDL (p < 0.05), FSII and systolic blood pressure (p < 0.01), FSH and fasting glucose (p < 0.05), LH and waist (p < 0.05), SHBG and fasting glucose (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found for time since menopause and waist/hip ratio (p < 0.05). In controls positive correlations were found for: waist/hip ratio and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), LH and HDL (p < 0.05). estradiol and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). Negative correlations were detected for estradiol and waist (p < 0.05), time since menopause and HDL (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Gaining weight together with menopausal endocrine changes cause metabolic and hemodynamic imbalances, which contribute to risk for cardiovascular diseases.

[Gaining weight and components of metabolic syndrome in the period of menopause].

INTRODUCTION: Menopause induces redistribution of fat mass and development of abdominal obesity, increasing risk for metabolic syndrome (MS) by 60%. Related cardiovascular diseases become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women after fifty years of age. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of gaining weight on components of MS in the menopause. METHOD: The study included 50 obese women, BMI=31.92 +/- 5.83 kg/m2, age 54.40 +/- 3.64, time since menopause 5.90 +/- 5.46 years, and 37 normal weight women, BMI = 23.50 +/- 2.13 kg/m2, age 53.92 +/- 3.95, time since menopause 5.96 +/- 4.92 years. Both groups were divided according to the presence of MS into two subgroups. Anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were measured. Blood was taken at 8 am for the following: fasting glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, apolipoprotein A (ApoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, FSH, LH, prolactin, oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). RESULTS: 66% of obese women had MS compared with 22% normal weight women. Significant differences between groups were found for the following: weight, BMI, waist, hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, diastolic blood pressure, Lp(a), FSH, LH, prolactin (all p < 0.01) and fasting glucose (p < 0.05). Obese women with and without MS were significantly diverse for the following: waist/hip ratio, systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose (all p < 0.01); age, BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL, Lp(a) and SHBG (all p < 0.05). Normal weight women with and without MS had significantly different values of waist/hip ratio, systolic, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides (all p < 0.01); HDL and testosterone (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found between obese and normal weight women with MS in anthropometric characteristics, ApoA, Lp(a), fibrinogen (all p < 0.01) and FSH (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Abdominal obesity significantly increases incidence of MS as a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors in the menopause.