• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.66-78
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between vasomotor symptoms with upper-lower body temperature differences, and to identify Kidney Deficiency pattern (腎虛證) in menopausal women. Methods: 51 women who visited Kangnam Kyung-Hee Oriental Hospital from July to December, 2013 were analyzed. The experimental group consisted of 30 patients reported with vasomotor symptoms (Vasomotor symptom group, VG), while the control group consisted of 21 patients without vasomotor symptoms (Control group, CG). According to their chief complaints, VG was further divided into VHG (vasomotor-hot flash group) and VCG (vasomotor-cold hypersensitivity group). The temperature differences between upper and lower body part (CV17-CV4), proximal and distal extremity part (LU4-HT8, ST32-LR3) were checked. All patients reported other complaints such as headache, sweating, anxiety, dyspepsia, leukorrhea, which belong to Kidney Yang Deficiency pattern (腎陽虛證) or Kidney Yin Deficiency pattern (腎陰虛證). The relationship between vasomotor symptom and repetition rate of additional complaints were analyzed. Results: Statistical analysis showed that lower abdomen temperature of experimental group was lower than the control group. Temperature differences of upper and lower body (CV17-CV4) was significantly larger in vasomotor symptom group. VHG had more symptoms of sweating, chest discomfort, constipation, which belong to Kidney Yang Deficiency pattern group. VCG had more symptoms of leukorrhea, diarrhea, and dyspepsia, which belong to Kidney Yin Deficiency pattern group. Conclusions: Climacteric women who suffered from vasomotor symptoms showed lower temperature tendency in [CV4], larger temperature differences in [CV17-CV4] compared to the control group. Among them, VHG showed more symptoms of Kidney Yin Deficiency pattern, whereas VCG showed more symptoms of Kidney Yang Deficiency pattern.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.146-156
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between vasomotor symptoms and factors such as sociodemographics, health behaviors, medical condition, depression, stress, anxiety, attitude toward menopause, and quality of life. Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional study in peri- and post-menopausal women enrolled by the Korean Association of Health Promotion. Subjects submitted self-report questionnaires about vasomotor symptoms and other clinical symptoms. Associations between vasomotor symptoms and clinical variables were analyzed using stepwise multiple regression analyses. Results : 1951 women completed self-report questionnaires and 1022 women were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of vasomotor symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal women was 63.9%. Variables showing significant differences between subjects with vasomotor symptoms and subjects without them were score of Beck Depression Inventory, Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument-Korean Version, proportions of clinically significant depression(Beck Depression Inventory ${\geq}16$), Menopausal rating scale, attitude towards menopause, the 4 subscales of World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF(Physical health, psychological, social relationships, environment), and a History of Premenstrual syndrome/Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that Beck Depression Inventory, Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument-Korean Version, Menopausal Rating Scale, and the Psychological subscale of World Health Organization Quality of Life -BREF show associations with vasomotor symptoms. Conclusions : Menopausal vasomotor symptoms are associated with various psychological factors, especially with depression. Midlife women suffering vasomotor symptoms should therefore be screened for depression. Future prospective studies where clinical subjects are diagnosed using structured interviews, focusing on the causal relationship between depression and vasomotor symptoms are necessary.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify menopausal symptoms and quality of life (QOL) according to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in rural menopausal women. Methods: Menopausal symptoms and QOL were measured by questionnaires. A total of 50 participants in HRT group had received hormone replacement therapy for 12 weeks and another 50 who had not received hormone therapy were assigned to non-HRT group. Results: Vasomotor symptom score of non-HRT group was significantly higher than that of HRT group (p=.013). There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in all menopausal symptoms except for vasomotor symptom. There were no significant differences between two groups in the total scores and sub-scores of QOL. Total scores and sub-scores of QOL were very low in both group. Menopausal symptoms were significantly negatively correlated with QOL. Conclusion: These results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between HRT group and non-HRT group in menopausal symptoms except for vasomotor symptom and QOL. Menopausal symptoms were moderate and QOL was very low in menopausal women. It is necessary to develop nursing interventions to improve menopausal symptoms and QOL in menopausal women.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2015

Objectives:Within the normal reproductive cycles of women, dramatic fluctuations of sexual hormones occur in the premenstrual and menopausal periods. In both periods, women are vulnerable to mood disturbances and show several somatic complaints. Based on these common clinical profiles and physiological changes, a relationship between vasomotor symptoms and the premenstrual syndrome has been suggested. However, attempts to establish such a link have yielded inconclusive results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between histories of premenstrual syndrome and menopausal vasomotor symptoms within different menopausal stages. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited Korean women aged 45-64 years who were perimenopausal and postmenopausal from 16 branch offices of the Korean Association of Health Promotion. All subjects completed self-report questionnaires that asked about a history of premenstrual syndromes, vasomotor symptoms, and several other variables. Results:A total of 1054 participants(361 perimenopausal women and 693 postmenopausal women) completed the study. Severity of premenstrual symptoms significantly correlated with postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms, only in late perimenopausal(r=0.213, p=0.010) and early postmenopausal women(r=0.246, p<0.001). After adjusting for several factors related to vasomotor symptoms, a history of premenstrual syndrome was a significant predictor of moderate to very severe vasomotor symptoms in late perimenopausal(OR=5.197, p=0.005) and early postmenopausal women(OR=3.017, p=0.010). Conclusions:This study suggests that a history of premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder is differentially associated with vasomotor symptoms in the menopausal stage. Prospective studies with larger population are needed to confirm these findings

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.940-950
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report on the efficacy of Korean medical treatment for treating menopausal vasomotor symptoms (heat flashes and sleep disorders). Methods: We treated a menopausal female patient with heat flashes and sleep disorders using Korean medical treatments (herbal medicines, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, and chuna). To evaluate the results of this treatment, we used Kupperman's Index and the Numerical Rating Scale to measure heat flashes and total sleeping time, respectively. The patient's general health status was evaluated using the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Scale. Results: We observed improvements in Kupperman's Index, the Numerical Rating Scale, the patient's total sleeping time, and the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Scale following the treatments. Conclusions: This study suggests that Korean medicine may be an effective treatment for menopausal vasomotor symptoms (heat flashes and sleep disorders).

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 1995

A on-off study was designed to evaluate the effects of addition of transdermal esrtradiol to tricyclic antidepressants on depression level, vasomotor symptom(hot flush), sexual functions and hormonal status, plasma 5-hydroxyindoleascetic acid(5-HIAA) level in postmenopausal women with depression. Plasma level of estradiol, progesterone, LH, FSH, prolactin and 5-HIAA was measured by Time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay and HPLC(High Performance Liquid Chromatography). To asses their symptoms, the BDI(Beck Depression Inventory) and modified symptom scale, extracted from women's health questionnaire were used. Depression score, sexual function score were decreased by the last 4-weeks of addition of transdermal estradiol to antidepressant treatment, not Significant, but vasomotor symptom (hot flushes) score was decreased significantly(p<0.05) by the last 4-weeks of the given treatment. Thus, during addition of transdermal estradiol to antidepressants treatment, only vasomotor symptom(hot flushes) was improved significantly, but depression level was not changed in postmenopausal women with depression. Plasma FSH, estradiol and prolactin level was not changed in postmenopausal women with depression. Plasma FSH, estradiol and prolactin levels were increased by the last 4-weeks of the treatment. There were not significant correlations between clinical symptoms and plasma hormonal status and 5-HIAA level in baseline. After the last 4-weeks of transdermal estradiol treatment, the change of depression score was correlated significantly with change of serum prolactin and 5-HIAA level and the change of vasomotor symptom score was correlated significantly with the change of plasma prolactin level.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.386-394
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• 2003

Purpose: This study was designed to explore the association of diet with menopausal symptoms in Korean women, Method: For this cross-sectional survey, 276 women aged between 45-55 years visiting two branches of K-university hospital located in Seoul and Ansan of Kyunggi province were recruited from April to July, 2002. A menopause-specific quality-of-life questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire were used to measure menopause-related symptoms and the intake of 28 types of foods. Result: No differences were found in the levels of bothersome total menopausal symptoms, physical symptoms, psychosocial symptoms, and sexual symptoms according to the intake of each food. Only higher intake of fishes, seaweeds, and vegetable oils were inversely associated with bothersome levels of vasomotor symptoms. Women with higher intake of yellow-green vegetables and lower intake of coffee, confectionery, and processed foods reported lower hot flush rate. Conclusion: The results suggest that higher intake of yellow-green vegetables and lower intake of coffee, confectionery and processed foods may relieve hot flushes. Further study needs to be pursued to study the relationship with nutrients of these foods and hot flushes.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.229-237
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• 2009

Recent Korean statistics show that a Korean woman can now expect to live until her mid-80s, which implies living at least one-third of her life after menopause. The menopausal transition is typically marked by intense hormonal fluctuations, accompanied by sleep disturbance, vasomotor symptoms(e.g., hot flashes, night sweats), increased risk for osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and developing depression as well as mood disturbances. These symptoms can affect a woman's quality of life negatively. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the accurate detection and appropriate treatment of various menopause-related symptoms including depression in the menopausal transitions and postmenopause is mandatory. This review primarily focused on the current knowledge about the treatment of menopause-related depression.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.98-108
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• 1996

Korean women are now living almost 1/3 of their life after menopause. Sex-steroid hormone deficiency adversely affect various fields of physical & mental activity and quality of life during this period. Therefore, replacement of deficient hormone is thought to be natural therapeutic modality. Postmenopausal syndrome is recently redefined as an endocrinopathy with both short-and long-term sequelae, as a result of cessation of ovarian function. Hormone replacement therapy taken at or near time of menopause alleviates shot-term acute menopausal symptoms such as vasomotor disturbances and psychological problems. HRT also beneficially affects some of intermediate symptoms such as urogenital atrophy and cutaneous problems. The major benefits of long-term use were reductions in risk of long-term sequelae, that is, total fracture by 50-60%, cardiovascular disease by 50% and cerebrovascular disease by 30-40%, respectively. In addition, HRT may also positively influence Alzheimer's disease, reduce the colorectal cancer risk and increase longevity of the life. In conclusion, all postmenopausal women should consider preventive HRT when there are no contraindications.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3091-3096
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• 2015

Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm and the second most common cause of cancer death in women. This malignancy is recognized to be estrogen-dependent and due to this feature, hormone replacement therapy is regarded as potentially dangerous in breast cancer survivors who seek relief of their menopausal symptoms. Whereas hot flashes are detected in nearly half of postmenopausal women with a relatively high frequency and severity, botanic sources of estrogens have been proposed as an alternative treatment. Nevertheless, estrogenic properties of these compounds suggest possibility of stimulating cancer recurrence or worsening prognosis in survivors. As well, effects in improving vasomotor climacteric changes is controversial. Many studies have considered the subject, some focusing on efficacy of phytoestrogens for control of menopausal symptoms, and others discussing effects of these compounds on breast cancer outcome in terms of survival or recurrence. The present article is a concise review of the effects of consumption of phytoestrogens on menopausal symptoms, namely hot flashes, and breast cancer recurrence and mortality in survivors of the disease. Overall, the major part of the current existing literature is in favor of positive effects of phytoestrogens on breast cancer prognosis, but the efficacy on menopausal symptoms is probably minimal at the best.