• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.224-237
• /
• 2011

For establishing the efficacy against breast cancer occurrence, women's mammographic breast density and hot flush remission related to pre and post-menopausal symptoms were selected as biomarkers. Meta analysis applied the final selection of 40 papers from Medline to assess the efficacy of isoflavone-rich soy or supplements versus placebo under randomized controlled trials. Interestingly, the exposure to the purified isoflavones was more effective than the exposure to the crude extract of soy isoflavones for hot flush suppression. The length and the amount of dosage dependency is the most appropriately suggested to be one year long with 50~100 mg/day of isoflavone-rich soy or supplements. Funnel plots was used to interpret the results, overall effect of isoflavones on breast density in post-menopausal women was revealed to be less effect [effect size: 0.062, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.005 to 0.12], than that of pre-menopausal women (effect size: 0.101, CI: -0.003 to 0.205). The reason why breast density was found higher among the pre-menopausal than the post-menopausal women is that the phytoestrogens of dietary isoflavones were antagonized against estrogen by the basis of estrogen receptor binding affinity. Overall, the Meta analysis reported that isoflavone had limited influence on breast density by suppressing the expansion by only 2%, while it was more effective to suppressing the hot flush, showing a dramatic decrease of 23%.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.86-103
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyse the domestic trends of Traditional Korean Medicine on Hot flush in menopausal women. Methods: We searched six databases and selected relevant papers according to the criteria. Results: 12 papers included case report, literature review, randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), Non-RCTs, and retrospective chart analysis study design. 1. The daily diary, Kupperman's Index, Menopause Rating Scale, Menopause-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire, Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging were used as a measure of the symptoms of hot flush. 2. There were significant correlations between Thermographic images, Pulse energy, Lifestyle Habits, Low frequency power/High frequency power (LF/HF) ratio and certain items of Menopausal Symptoms Measurement. 3. The case report using Er-Xian decoction and Hwangryunhaedoktang-Gamibang showed significant effect. 4. Domestic RCT studies using herbal or acupuncture treatments showed a significant value of 3.4 on average in the quality assessment conducted in the study. However, the number of domestic studies included was five, which is not enough compared to foreign countries. Conclusions: This study examined domestic research trends on hot flushes of menopausal women and found that various evaluation tools and diagnostic methods were applied. It is necessary to conduct various RCT studies in Korea, where the number of studies is insufficient compared to overseas.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.71-84
• /
• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation of MRS, MENQOL, HRV, Yin-Deficiency Questionnaire and the clinical use of Yin-Deficiency Questionnaire by comparison with MRS, MENQOL, and HRV. Methods: The participants were 21 women(44-58yr) with hot flush who were not currently on hormone therapy. The evaluating index of this trial are MRS, MENQOL, HRV, Yin-Deficiency Questionnaire. Results: The MRS and the MENQOL were significantly correlated with each other. The MRS and the HRV(LF/HF ratio) were significantly correlated with each other. The MENQOL and the HRV(LF/HF ratio) were significantly correlated with each other. The MRS somatic subscale and the Yin-Deficiency Questionnaire were significantly correlated with each other. The MENQOL and the Yin-Deficiency Questionnaire were significantly correlated with each other. The Yin-Deficiency Questionnaire and the HRV(LF/HF ratio) were significantly correlated with each other. Conclusions: The Yin-Deficiency Questionnaire is a valuable tool of oriental medicine for assessment of symptoms. The Yin-Deficiency Questionnaire were significantly correlated with the MRS somatic subscale, the MENQOL and the HRV(LF/HF ratio). Yin-Deficiency Questionnaire could serve as an adequate diagnostic instrument of oriental medicine for menopausal syndrome. Further large-scale study is needed for evaluation of the correlation of these measurements related with Menopausal syndrome and the clinical use of Yin-Deficiency Questionnaire.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.53-64
• /
• 2010

A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled human intervention study involving 58 menopause women was performed to investigate the effect of pomegranate extracts on menopausal symptoms. The volunteers were randomly distributed into two groups, one taking pomegranate extracts (1.5 g/day) and the other being a placebo by taking oral administration for 8 weeks. The results from this study showed that duration of hot flush and sweating were significantly decreased by taking pomegranate extracts. In addition, menopausal rating scales and the Kuppermann index were significantly decreased in pomegranate extract taking group. This result suggests a possibility that pomegranate extracts can be helpful for menopause women.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.373-377
• /
• 2016

Menopausal hot flushes (HFs), which manifest as a transient increase in skin temperature, occur most frequently in postmenopausal women, and sometimes negatively influence daily life. We investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of Cynanchum wilfordii (CWW) in a rat model of menopausal HFs, where tail skin temperature (TST) is increased after the rapid estrogen decline induced by ovariectomy. Ten-week-old female rats were ovariectomized and treated with CWW for 1 week. We measured TST and rectal temperatures (RT) and investigated serum estradiol. The TST in ovariectomized (OVX) rats was significantly elevated after ovariectomy compared with control rats, whereas the RT in OVX rats was not elevated. Administration of CWW (200 mg/kg/d for 7 days, p.o.) significantly improved the skin temperature increase in OVX rats. The lower level of serum estradiol in OVX rats was significantly increased by supplying E2, but it was not affected by CWW. The present study indicates a need for future research involving treatment with high concentrations of C. wilfordii and measurement over 24 h.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.176-184
• /
• 2017

Objectives : Middle aged women with depression often experience hot flush symptoms. It is still unclear about the association between depression and hot flush symptoms. Therefore, we investigated hormonal profile, functional somatic symptoms, coping styles and attitude for menopause between depressed women with hot flush and those without hot flush. Methods : This study included 33 depressed patients with hot flush symptoms and 33 depressed patients without hot flush symptoms. Hot flush was confirmed through prospective daily symptom ratings for a week. Subjects' coping styles were assessed by the stress coping checklist. Somatic symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-15(PHQ-15). Sex hormonal levels were assayed by a radioimmunoassay. The Brief World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument(WHOQOL-BREF) was used to evaluate quality of life. Results : In coping style, depressed women with hot flush symptoms used less 'problem-centered coping'($13.15{\pm}3.17$) and 'search for social support'($11.83{\pm}2.84$) than those without hot flush symptoms($15.17{\pm}3.1$, p=0.028 ; $14.25{\pm}3.22$, p=0.009 ; respectively). Depressed women with hot flush symptoms showed more negative attitude toward post-menopause, but its statistical significance was marginally insufficient(p=0.059). We did not find any group differences in sex hormonal levels and somatic complaints assessed by the PHQ-15. The score of social relationship domain of WHOQOL-BREF was significantly lower in subjects with hot flush symptoms($8.62{\pm}2.04$) than subjects without hot flush symptoms($9.71{\pm}1.65$ ; p=0.044). Conclusions : Among middle aged women with depression, the manifestation of hot flush symptoms was associated with coping styles and attitude for menopausal transition. Hot flush symptoms in depressed women negatively influence quality of life, so clinicians actively perform therapeutic approach in case of depressed patients with hot flush symptoms. In case of depressed patients who present hot flushes, cognitive behavior therapy or stress management might be an effective treatment option in company with antidepressants or hormonal treatment. Later, longitudinal study will be needed to evaluate risk factor, cause and effect associated with hot flush and depression.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.268-281
• /
• 1997

This study was done for the purpose of analysing the relationship between menopausal syndrome and depression in the pre and post menopausal women's group. Data were collected by a questionnaire from November, 1995 to December, 1996. The subject were 244 midlife women(94 subjects were in pre-menopausal period, 150 subject were in post-menopausal period). The instruments used for this study were the menopausal syndrome scale by Neugarton and depression scale by Zung. Data were analyzed with the SPSS/PC using frequency, t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficients. The results of this study were as follows ; 1. The most serious menopausal symptom in the midlife women was 'back pain and joint pain'. 2. The item of 'Hot flush'(t=-2.78, p<0.01), 'sweating'(t=-2.31, p<0.05) and 'nervousness'(t=-2.13, p<0.05) as menopausal syndromes were statistically significant in the two groups ; Post menopausal group were higher then premenopausal group. 3. Postmenopausal group were a little higher then premenopausal group as depression level. It was none statistically significant in the two groups. 4. The relationship between menopausal syndromes and the level of depression was statistically significant in the group of post-menopausal group(r=0.2083, p<0.01).

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.129-137
• /
• 1996

The purpose of this study is to examine the medicalizing process of menopanse with literature review, and then is to explore the knowledge of 'menopausal syndrome' critically, focused on four critics on the biomedical model which were suggested by Mishler. Although menopause is a natural biological phenomenon, the view of many medical researchers and practitioners is that menopause is a disease. After synthetic estrogen was developel in 1938, physicians did agree on two basic assumptions : menopausal women should be managed by physicians, and medical intervention should be given. Menopouse was defined as a deficiency disease (estrogen difficiency) by Wilson in 60's and is redefined as a cause of disease(for example, osteoporosis, heart disease) at the present. But the other view of non-medical researcher is that 'menopausal syndrome' as a disease is constructed medically. It was reported that Only hot flush and sweating of physical symptoms experienced by menopausal women, were associated with menopause. Symptoms of menopausal syndrome are also related with symptons of aging. So, it cann't conclude that menopausal syndrome is resulted from menopause, and it cann't be only explained that menopausal syndrome is related causally to estrogen deficiency, and only treatment by ERT or HRT is best relevant. It cann't assume that menopausal syndrome is a common phenomenon to all menopause women, because culture affected on women's experience of menopause.

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

• 대한상한금궤의학회지
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.87-97
• /
• 2016

Objective : This case report aims to demonstrate the effect of Herbal medicine on menopausal syndrome. Methods : A 54 years woman suffered from menopausal syndrome with hot flush, insomnia and dyspepsia. According to Diagnostic system based on Shanghanlun provisions, the patient was diagnosed with Taeyang-byung and treated by Sosiho-tang decoction at first. But the next time the patient visited, she was treated by Oryeong-san decoction. The result of administrations were evaluated by Kupperman's index(KI), Menopause rating scale(MRS). Results : After administration of Sosiho-tang decoction for 35 days, KI was decreased from 50 to 19, MRS was decreased from 9 to 4. But her chronic dyspepsia wasn't getting better. So the KMD prescribed Oryeong-san decoction. After administration of Oryeong-san decoction for 14 days, KI was decreased from 19 to 0, MRS was decreased from 4 to 1. And her chronic dyspepsia was functionally improved. Conclusions : The patient completely recovered from menopausal syndrome and dyspepsia as treated by Sosiho-tang decoction and Oryeong-san decoction according to Diagnostic system based on Shanghanlun provisions.