Female orgasmic dysfunction and severe climacteric symptomatology in women aged 40 to 59 years: an independent association from an analysis of a multicenter Latin American study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the severity of climacteric symptoms (CS) and orgasmic dysfunction (OD), controlled by demographic, clinical, and partner variables. METHODS: We carried out a secondary analysis of a multicenter Latin American cross-sectional study that surveyed sexually active women 40 to 59 years old. We assessed CS (global, somatic, psychological, or urogenital domains) and OD. Also, we explored clinical variables and partner sexual conditions. We performed logistic regression models with nonparametric bootstrap resampling to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: We included data of 5,391 women in the analysis. Regarding CS, 24.8%, 10.8%, 28.4%, and 32.9% had respectively severe symptoms according to total, somatic, psychological, and urogenital domain scores of the Menopause Rating Scale. OD was found in 25.4% of women. The adjusted model (including menopausal status and partner sexual dysfunction) showed that severe CS increased the odds of OD (aOR = 2.77; 95% CI: 2.41-3.19 [total Menopause Rating Scale score]; aOR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.37-2.00 [somatic domain]; aOR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.76-2.32 [psychological domain] and aOR = 3.89; 95% CI: 3.40-4.45 [urogenital]). CONCLUSIONS: Severe CS were associated with OD independently of demographic, clinical, and partner variables. Severe urogenital symptoms had the strongest association.

Menopause could be involved in the pathogenesis of muscle and joint aches in mid-aged women.

BACKGROUND: Muscle and joint aches (MJA) are frequently observed among menopausal women. They impair quality of life and are a burden to the healthcare system. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relation between MJA and several variables related to the menopause. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 8373 healthy women aged 40-59 years, accompanying patients to healthcare centers in 18 cities of 12 Latin American countries, were asked to fill out the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and a questionnaire containing personal data. RESULTS: Mean age of the whole sample was 49.1±5.7 years, 48.6% were postmenopausal and 14.7% used hormone therapy (HT). A 63.0% of them presented MJA, with a 15.6% being scored as severe to very severe according to the MRS (scores 3 or 4). Logistic regression model determined that vasomotor symptoms (OR: 6.16; 95% CI, 5.25-7.24), premature menopause (OR: 1.58; 95% CI, 1.02-2.45), postmenopausal status (OR: 1.43; 95% CI, 1.20-1.69), psychiatric consultation (OR: 1.93; 95% CI, 1.60-2.32) and the use of psychotropic drugs (OR: 1.35; 95% CI, 1.08-1.69) were significantly related to the presence of severe-very severe MJA. Other significant variables included: age, tobacco consumption and lower education. Self perception of healthiness (OR: 0.49; 95% CI, 0.41-0.59), private healthcare access (OR: 0.77; 95% CI, 0.67-0.88) and HT use (OR: 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62-0.91) were significantly related to a lower risk for the presence of severe-very severe MJA. CONCLUSION: In this large mid-aged sample the prevalence of MJA was high, which was significantly associated to menopausal variables, especially vasomotor symptoms. This association may suggest a potential role of mid-life female hormonal changes in the pathogenesis of MJA.

A large multinational study of vasomotor symptom prevalence, duration, and impact on quality of life in middle-aged women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine vasomotor symptom (VMS) prevalence, duration, and impact on quality of life in middle-aged women using a validated menopausal tool. METHODS: The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and an itemized questionnaire containing personal sociodemographic data were used to examine 8,373 women aged 40 to 59 years from 22 healthcare centers in 12 Latin American countries. RESULTS: Less than half (48.8%) of all women studied were postmenopausal, 14.7% used hormone therapy (HT), 54.5% presented VMS of any degree, and 9.6% presented severe/bothersome symptoms. The rate of VMS (any degree) significantly increased from one menopausal stage to the next. HT users presented more VMS (any degree) than did nonusers (58.6% vs 53.8%, P = 0.001). When surgical postmenopausal women were compared, non-HT users displayed a higher prevalence of severe VMS (16.1% vs 9.0%, P = 0.0001). The presence of VMS of any degree was related to a more impaired quality of life (higher total MRS score; odds ratio, 4.7; 95% CI, 4.1-5.3). This effect was even higher among women presenting severe VMS. Logistic regression analysis determined that the presence of severe psychological/urogenital symptoms (MRS), lower educational level, natural perimenopause-postmenopause status, nulliparity, surgical menopause, and living at high altitude were significant risk factors for severe VMS. HT use was related to a lower risk. A second regression model determined that surgical menopause, intense psychological/urogenital symptoms, and a history of psychiatric consultation were factors related to severe VMS persisting into the late postmenopausal stage (5 or more years). CONCLUSIONS: In this Latin American middle-aged series, VMS prevalence was high, persisting into the late postmenopausal phase in a high rate and severely impairing quality of life. HT use was related to a lower risk of severe VMS.

Sexual dysfunction in middle-aged women: a multicenter Latin American study using the Female Sexual Function Index.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and associated risk factors among middle-aged Latin American women using one validated instrument. METHODS: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was applied to 7,243 healthy women aged 40 to 59 years who were users of 19 healthcare systems from 11 Latin American countries. An itemized questionnaire containing personal and partner sociodemographic data was also filled out. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD age of surveyed women was 49.0 +/- 5.7 years, with 11.6 years of schooling on average. There were 55.1% of women who were married, 46.8% who were postmenopausal, 14.1% who used hormonal therapy (HT), and 25.6% who were sexually inactive. Among those who were active (n = 5,391), the mean +/- SD total FSFI score was 25.2 +/- 5.9 and 56.8% of them presented SD (FSFI total score 48 y), 1.84 (1.61-2.09); bladder problems, 1.47 (1.28-1.69); HT use, 1.39 (1.15-1.68); negative perception of female health status, 1.31 (1.05-1.64); and being married, 1.22 (1.07-1.40). Protective factors were higher educational level (women), partner faithfulness, and access to private healthcare. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SD in this middle-aged Latin American series was found to be high, varying widely in different populations. A decrease in vaginal lubrication was the most important associated risk factor. Differences in the prevalence of risk factors among the studied groups, several of which are modifiable, could explain the variation of SD prevalence observed in this study.

Impaired quality of life among middle aged women: a multicentre Latin American study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies indicate that quality of life (QoL) is impaired in middle aged women. Assessment of QoL using a single validated tool in Latin American climacteric women has not been reported to date at large scale. OBJECTIVE: The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess QoL among middle aged Latin American women and determine factors associated with severe menopausal symptoms (QoL impairment). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 8373 healthy women aged 40-59 years, accompanying patients to healthcare centres in 18 cities of 12 Latin American countries, were asked to fill out the MRS and a questionnaire containing socio-demographic, female and partner data. RESULTS: Mean age of the entire sample was 49.1+/-5.7 years (median 49), a 62.5% had 12 or less years of schooling, 48.8% were postmenopausal and 14.7% were on hormonal therapy (HT). Mean total MRS score (n=8373) was 11.3+/-8.5 (median 10); for the somatic subscale, 4.1+/-3.4; the psychological subscale, 4.6+/-3.8 and the urogenital subscale, 2.5+/-2.7. The prevalence of women presenting moderate to severe total MRS scorings was high (>50%) in all countries, Chile and Uruguay being the ones with the highest percentages (80.8% and 67.4%, respectively). Logistic regression determined that impaired QoL (severe total MRS score > or =17) was associated with the use of alternatives therapies for menopause (OR: 1.47, 95% CI [1.22-1.76], p=0.0001), the use of psychiatric drugs (OR: 1.57, 95% CI [1.29-1.90], p=0.0001), attending a psychiatrist (OR: 1.66, 95% CI [1.41-1.96], p=0.0001), being postmenopausal (OR: 1.48, 95% CI [1.29-1.69, p=0.0001]), having 49 years or more (OR: 1.24, 95% CI [1.08-1.42], p=0.001), living at high altitude (OR: 1.43, 95% CI [1.25-1.62, p=0.0001]) and having a partner with erectile dysfunction (OR: 1.69, 95% CI [1.47-1.94, p=0.0001]) or premature ejaculation (OR: 1.34, 95% CI [1.16-1.55, p=0.0001]). Lower risk for impaired QoL was related to living in a country with a lower income (OR: 0.77, 95% CI [0.68-0.88], p=0.0002), using HT (OR: 0.65, 95% CI [0.56-0.76], p=0.0001) and engaging in healthy habits (OR: 0.59, 95% CI [0.50-0.69], p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge this is the first and largest study assessing QoL in a Latin American climacteric series with a high prevalence of impairment related to individual female and male characteristics and the demography of the studied population.

Changes in bone turnover during tibolone treatment.

OBJECTIVES: An open study was carried out to evaluate changes in bone remodeling markers such as N-telopeptide (NTx), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), total alkaline phosphatase (TAP), and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) during a 1-year continuous tibolone treatment in postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six postmenopausal women were recruited for receiving tibolone 2.5 mg per day for 1 year. Densitometry and determination of biochemical markers of bone metabolism in serum and urine were performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Comparing baseline with 12 month's values, BAP and all resorption markers decreased significantly. NTx began to decrease since the initiation of the treatment (baseline: 74.4 +/- 5.3; 1 month: 57.5 +/- 4.2; 12 months: 36.6 +/- 2.8). BAP increased at the first month (baseline: 37.3 +/- 2.1; 1 month: 42.6 +/- 3.0) but diminished in the following months (12 months: 23.1 +/- 1.5). TAP started to decrease significantly only after 6 months of treatment (baseline: 37.3 +/- 2.1; 12 months: 31.4 +/- 2.3) and TRAP after 3 months (baseline: 9.8 +/- 0.4; 6 months: 9.1 +/- 0.5; 12 months: 8.2 +/- 0.4). Normal bone mineral density at distal and ultradistal forearm was maintained during the 1-year treatment (baseline: 0.42 +/- 0.01; 12 months: 0.42 +/- 0.01 and baseline: 0.33 +/- 0.01; 12 months: 0.33 +/- 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: The use of tibolone 2.5 mg per day diminished progressively and significantly bone resorption and formation markers during 1-year treatment period.