Assessing fatal cardiovascular disease risk with the SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation) scale in post-menopausal women 10 years after different hormone treatment regimens.

Objective: To assess fatal cardiovascular disease (FCD) risk among women in early post-menopausal years, as evaluated with the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) scale.

Design: This was a retrospective study of parallel cohorts. Two hundred seventy-three healthy post-menopausal women.

Hyperglycemia in postmenopausal women screened for the metabolic syndrome is associated to increased sexual complaints.

Background: Postmenopausal metabolic changes increase cardiovascular risk and impair quality of life (QoL). Despite this, few reports have addressed the association of these changes with female sexuality.

Objective: To determine the association between the metabolic syndrome (METS), and its components, and female sexuality.

Vaccinium macrocarpon: an interesting option for women with recurrent urinary tract infections and other health benefits.

Aim: To review the scientific publications concerning the clinical use and mechanism of action of the North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) for women with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) and other health conditions.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of published information concerning Vaccinium macrocarpon retrieved from a PubMed and individual searches.

Results: Urinary tract infections are very common in women, cause discomfort, and may aggravate other genitourinary conditions.

Effects of the Mediterranean diet on longevity and age-related morbid conditions.

Objectives: To delineate the influences of the Mediterranean diet (MD) on human mortality and age-related morbid conditions, principally the metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, excess body weight, cancer, poor bone mineralization and rheumatoid arthritis, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Method: Citations were selected from a PubMed search according to their clinical and experimental relevance.

Results And Conclusions: Individuals who adhere to the principles of the traditional MD tend to have a longer life-span.

Cardiovascular risk in menopausal women and prevalent related co-morbid conditions: facing the post-Women's Health Initiative era.

Objective: To review scientific publications regarding cardiovascular risk during the menopausal years and that related to currently recognized highly prevalent co-morbid factors within this period.

Methods: Citations were selected from a PubMed search and the authors' files according to their clinical and experimental relevance.

Results And Discussion: Although experimental and some observational data have supported the fact that estrogens are beneficial for the female vascular system, these positive actions have been challenged by the results of the Women's Health Initiative trial and the Million Women Study, which demonstrated an increase in cardiovascular risk and related adverse events.

Severe menopausal symptoms in middle-aged women are associated to female and male factors.

Background: The frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms within a given population, as assessed by several tools, may vary and depend on several factors, such as age, menopausal status, chronic conditions and personal and partner socio-demographic profile.

Objective: To determine the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms and related risk factors among middle-aged women.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study a total of 404 women aged 40 to 59 years, visiting inpatients at the Enrique C.

Depressive symptoms in climacteric women are related to menopausal symptom intensity and partner factors.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated risk factors among climacteric women.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, women aged 40-59 years, visiting inpatients at the Enrique C. Sotomayor Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Guayaquil, Ecuador, were surveyed with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and a questionnaire seeking personal and partner data.

Vitamin D metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women.

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to focus on the association of vitamin D and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women.

Methods: Review of the relevant literature and results from recent clinical studies as well as critical analysis of published results concerning the association of vitamin D and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women obtained from both a PubMed and individual searches.

Results And Discussion: Both basic science and clinical studies support the protective role of vitamin D on cardiovascular health, although there are controversial results in the literature.

Cimicifuga racemosa treatment and health related quality of life in post-menopausal Spanish women.

Objective: The effect of Cimicifuga racemosa (CR) treatment was evaluated in healthy symptomatic post-menopausal women using the Cervantes health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) scale.

Design: A prospective observational study was carried out in 122 healthy symptomatic post-menopausal Spanish women with elevated body weight, aged between 45 and 59 years. Three groups were formed according to age intervals.

Review article: vitamin D acquisition and breast cancer risk.

Objective: The aim of the study was to focus on the association of vitamin D and breast cancer.

Methods: The study of evidence concerning vitamin D's influence on the origin and development of breast cancer from a PubMed and individual searches.

Results: Body sunlight exposure may reduce the prevalence of breast cancer.

Assessment of sexuality among middle-aged women using the Female Sexual Function Index.

Objective: The purpose of the present investigation was to assess sexual function among middle-aged women and determine related risk factors (personal and partner) for sexual dysfunction.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, women aged 40-59 years were requested to fill out the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and a general demographic questionnaire containing personal and partner data.

Results: A total of 409 women with a mean age of 47 +/- 5.

Clinical experiences with drospirenone: from reproductive to postmenopausal years.

Objective: To review the scientific publications concerning the clinical use of drospirenone (DRSP) as the progestin in combined oral contraceptives (OCs), and as hormone treatment for menopause.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of published information concerning DRSP retrieved from both a PubMed and a personal search.

Results And Discussion: DRSP is a progestin with antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activities that confer special clinical relevance.

Sunlight, the vitamin D endocrine system, and their relationships with gynaecologic cancer.

Vitamin D has classically been considered an important nutrient, but modern scientific evidence points out that it has a new and more critical role as ubiquitous hormone at the centre of a complex endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine system involved in maintaining general health. Vitamin D is found in small quantities in food; however, it is also produced by the skin when exposed to certain intensities of ultraviolet light. Substantial epidemiological and clinical data suggest a link between low levels of vitamin D and an increased risk of a number of female specific cancers.

Iodine and thyroid hormones during pregnancy and postpartum.

Iodine is a trace element essential for synthesis of the thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine and thyroxine. These hormones play a vital role in the early growth and development stages of most organs, especially the brain. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that, after famine, iodine deficiency is the most avoidable cause of cerebral lesions including different degrees of mental retardation and cerebral paralysis.

Vitamin D and its implications for musculoskeletal health in women: an update.

Vitamin D is a hormone that controls phosphorus, calcium, and bone metabolism and neuromuscular function. Vitamin D synthesis is a process in which the skin, liver, and kidney are sequentially involved. The vitamin D pool is completed by the amount taken with food and supplements.

Vitamin D: the secosteroid hormone and human reproduction.

Vitamin D is a secosteroid with an endocrine mechanism of action which is sequentially synthesized in humans in the skin, liver and kidneys. The active hormone, 1alpha,25-dihydrocholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2D3], is often considered only in terms of its role in controlling calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. However, cumulative evidence points to the presence of vitamin D receptors in many tissues.

Assessing the content and quality of information on the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis on the World Wide Web.

Objective: To evaluate the content and quality of currently available Internet-based information on the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Design: A sample was obtained comprising the 75 top sites retrieved with the Google search engine using 'treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis' and then evaluated according to predefined general and specific criteria, content type, language and quality. Using a systematic scoring tool, each site was assessed for factual information provided and site quality.

An evaluation of the contents and quality of menopause information on the World Wide Web.

Objective: To evaluate the content and quality of currently available World Wide Web based information about menopause.

Design: A sample of the 100 top sites obtained with the search engine Google for the key word "menopause" was evaluated according to predefined general and specific criteria, content type, language, and quality. The Internet popularity was established by the number of links to each website.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis and alendronate.

Osteoporosis is a systemic metabolic disorder associated with a decreased bone mass and resistance. Bisphosphonates suppress bone resorption and bone turnover by a mechanism that depends on their structure. They are characterized by low gastrointestinal absorption.

Epirubicin plus tamoxifen versus tamoxifen alone in node-positive postmenopausal patients with breast cancer: A randomized trial of the International Collaborative Cancer Group.

Purpose: To assess whether the addition of epirubicin (EPI) therapy to prolonged treatment with tamoxifen (TAM) improves relapse-free and overall survival in postmenopausal women with node-positive primary breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: Six hundred four patients entered onto a randomized clinical trial were allocated to receive TAM 20 mg/d for 4 years or TAM 20 mg/d for 4 years plus EPI 50 mg/m(2) intravenously on days 1 and 8 every 4 weeks for six cycles. Analysis was performed according to allocated treatment, with all randomized patients included (intention to treat), irrespective of eligibility status.

Adjuvant cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil versus fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy in premenopausal women with axillary node-positive operable breast cancer: results of a randomized trial. The International Collaborative Cancer Group.

Purpose: To determine whether a combination chemotherapy regimen that contains epirubicin (fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide [FEC]) is superior to the standard cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) combination in premenopausal women with axillary node-positive operable breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: The International Collaborative Cancer Group (ICCG) conducted a large randomized trial in which two alternative schedules were used according to participating center: CMF1 versus FEC1 and CMF2 versus FEC2.

Results: Seven hundred fifty-nine patients were entered onto the trial.

Effects of tamoxifen on endometrial estrogen and progesterone receptor concentrations in women with fibrocystic disease of the breast.

Endocrine changes were determined after a 3-week cycle of tamoxifen treatment in 11 regularly cycling women with clinical and radiological evidence of fibrocystic disease of the breast. Blood and endometrial samples were obtained during the luteal phase prior to and at the end of treatment. Tamoxifen treatment (20 mg/day orally for 3 weeks), produced a significant increase in plasma estradiol (p = 0.

Oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the human vagina during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and postmenopause.

Oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) concentrations were measured by enzyme immunoassays in human vaginal tissues. There were no significant differences in either case between the follicular and luteal phases, or in ER concentrations between regularly cycling and postmenopausal women. ER levels were significantly lower in pregnant than in non-pregnant women.