Hormone variability and hot flash experience: Results from the midlife women's health study.

Objective: Hot flashes are believed to be related to hormonal changes. However, the relationship between hormonal fluctuations and hot flashes has not been studied. The objective of this study is to determine hormone measurement summaries that best explain the incidence of hot flashes in midlife women.

Association between polycystic ovary syndrome and hot flash presentation during the midlife period.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in reproductive-aged women; however, the impact of PCOS on menopausal symptoms remains poorly understood. This study aims to determine the influence of PCOS on hot flash presentation in midlife women.

Methods: Participants were recruited from the Midlife Women's Health Study involving 780 women aged 45 to 54 years.

The Midlife Women's Health Study - a study protocol of a longitudinal prospective study on predictors of menopausal hot flashes.

Background: The Midlife Women's Health Study (MWHS) was developed to address some of the gaps in knowledge regarding risk factors for hot flashes among generally healthy midlife women during their menopausal transition. This manuscript describes the methods from the study and the main findings that were published to date, with a focus on predictors of hot flashes. This study was initially funded to test the hypothesis that obesity is associated with an increased risk of hot flashes through mechanisms that involve ovarian failure, altered sex steroid hormone levels, and selected genetic polymorphisms.

Risk Factors for Extended Duration and Timing of Peak Severity of Hot Flashes.

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with the duration of hot flashes and the time of peak hot flash severity in mid-life women.

Methods: A cohort of 647 women reporting hot flashes were followed for 1-7 years, with survey data and hormone measurements. Survival analysis determined the association of risk factors with the duration of hot flashes.

Phthalate metabolite levels and menopausal hot flashes in midlife women.

During the menopausal transition, a woman's reproductive capacity declines, her hormone milieu changes, and her risk of hot flashes increases. Exposure to phthalates, which can be found in personal care products, can also result in altered reproductive function. Here, we investigated the associations between phthalate metabolite levels and midlife hot flashes.

The Associations Between Body Mass Index, Smoking, and Alcohol Intake with Ovarian Volume in Midlife Women.

Background: Despite the fact that ovarian volume is a marker of reproductive aging, there is little understanding of factors related to ovarian volume among aging women. The objective of this analysis was to examine the associations between body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, and alcohol intake with ovarian volume among midlife women.

Materials And Methods: Data were analyzed from 771 women (45-54 years of age at baseline) enrolled in the Midlife Women's Health Study, a cohort study that was initiated in 2006.

Ectopic pregnancy after in vitro fertilization: differences between fresh and frozen-thawed cycles.

Objective: To evaluate whether the uterine environment is associated with the risk of ectopic implantation by comparing outcomes of fresh and frozen-thawed embryo transfers.

Design: Retrospective historical cohort.

Setting: Not applicable.

Risk factors for hot flashes among women undergoing the menopausal transition: baseline results from the Midlife Women's Health Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the associations of demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and hormone concentrations with the experience of any, current, more severe, and more frequent midlife hot flashes.

Methods: Baseline data from 732 women aged 45 to 54 years who were enrolled in the Midlife Women's Health Study were analyzed. A clinic visit was conducted to collect blood samples for hormone assays and to measure ovarian volume using transvaginal ultrasound.

Change in body mass index, weight, and hot flashes: a longitudinal analysis from the midlife women's health study.

Background: The goals of this study were to examine the associations between body mass index (BMI), as well as BMI change and weight change, with midlife hot flashes.

Methods: Data were analyzed from an ongoing 5-year cohort study of 631 midlife women (ages 45-54 years) recruited from Baltimore, Maryland, and its surrounding counties. Height and weight were measured at clinic visits conducted annually.

Genetic polymorphisms in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-signaling pathway and sleep disturbances in middle-aged women.

Objective: We aimed to determine if selected genetic polymorphisms in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-signaling pathway and circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) are associated with insomnia and early awakening in middle-aged women.

Methods: Women aged 45 to 54years (n=639) were recruited into a middle-aged health study and agreed to complete questionnaires and donate blood samples. Questionnaires were used to assess sleep outcomes.

Effect of luteal-phase support on endometrial microRNA expression following controlled ovarian stimulation.

Background: Studies suggested that microRNAs influence cellular activities in the uterus including cell differentiation and embryo implantation. In assisted reproduction cycles, luteal phase support, given to improve endometrial characteristics and to facilitate the implantation process, has been a standard practice. The effect of different types of luteal phase support using steroid hormones in relation to endometrial miRNA profiles during the peri-implantation period has not seen described.

Genetic polymorphisms in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway as potential risk factors of menopausal hot flashes.

Objective: We sought to determine if genetic polymorphisms in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway are associated with menopausal hot flashes via hormone levels.

Study Design: Women (n = 639) aged 45-54 years completed a study survey and provided blood for genetic and hormone analyses. The associations were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression and generalized linear models.

A genetic polymorphism in the CYP19A1 gene and the risk of hypertension among midlife women.

Objective: To test whether a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (A→G; rs700518) in the CYP19A1 gene, which encodes the enzyme aromatase, is associated with an increased risk for hypertension of midlife women.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 639 midlife women were recruited. Eligible women had their blood pressure, weight and height measured, and donated a blood sample for hormone and genetic analyses.

Somatic symptoms among cosmetologists compared to women in other occupations.

Background: Although the literature pertaining to the cosmetology occupation and specific health effects, such as asthma, dermatitis, and reproductive function, has grown substantially, little information is available about whether cosmetologists are at increased risk of other symptoms compared to women working in other occupations. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine if cosmetologists of reproductive age are at increased risk of self-reported symptoms compared to women of the same age working in other occupations.

Methods: Data were analyzed from 450 cosmetologists and 511 women in other occupations, aged 21-55 years, in the Baltimore metropolitan region who responded to a mailed survey that ascertained detailed data on symptoms as well as usual work tasks.

Adverse health outcomes among cosmetologists and noncosmetologists in the Reproductive Outcomes of Salon Employees (ROSE) study.

The purpose of this study was to examine adverse health outcomes, including those related to cardiovascular and skin health as well as respiratory functions, among cosmetologists aged 21 to 55 yr and to compare data to women of the same age working in other occupations. Self-reported data were analyzed from 450 cosmetologists and 511 women in other occupations who participated in the Reproductive Outcomes of Salon Employees (ROSE) study in Maryland. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were computed using logistic regression to examine the associations between cosmetologist occupation and each adverse health outcome adjusted for age, education, and smoking status.

Health outcomes of children born to cosmetologists compared to children of women in other occupations.

The purpose of the study was to examine the health of children born to cosmetologists compared to the health of children of women working in other occupations. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 319 cosmetologists and 366 women in other occupations aged 21 to 55 years who reported at least one live birth. Repeated-measures modeling was used to account for lack of independence among multiple pregnancies per participant.

Hot flashes and blood pressure in midlife women.

Objectives: Recent epidemiological studies suggest that hot flashes may have a detrimental impact on the cardiovascular system. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between hot flashes and blood pressure among women aged 45-54 years who had never used hormone therapy.

Study Design: Data were analyzed from 603 women who participated in the Midlife Health Study, a cross-sectional study conducted in the Baltimore Metropolitan region.

Menstrual cycle abnormalities among cosmetologists: the Reproductive Outcomes in Salon Employees (ROSE) study.

This study was conducted to examine whether cosmetologists of reproductive age are at increased risk of menstrual cycle abnormalities compared to women of the same age working in other occupations. Participants in the study (450 cosmetologists and 511 noncosmetologists) were recruited through mass mailing of questionnaires. To be included in the study, respondents to the survey had to be between 21 and 55 years of age and not have had a hysterectomy/oophorectomy.

Premature ovarian failure among hairdressers.

Background: Hairdressers constitute a major occupational group of female workers who are exposed to chemicals that cause reproductive abnormalities in animal models. The purpose of this study was to examine whether hairdressers are at increased risk of premature ovarian failure (POF) compared with women of similar age in other occupations.

Methods: This study analyzed data from a population-based sample of 443 hairdressers and 508 women in other occupations, who responded to a mailed survey.

Infertility among cosmetologists.

Although chemicals used in hair salons have been linked to infertility in animal models, little is known about whether exposures in hair salons are associated with infertility in women. Thus, a survey-based study was performed to investigate infertility in 448 cosmetologists and 508 non-cosmetologists working in Baltimore, Maryland and its surrounding counties. Infertility was assessed with questions addressing time-to-pregnancy (TTP) length (>or=12 months), consulting a medical professional about fertility problems, and taking medication to become or maintain a pregnancy.

Serum leptin levels, hormone levels, and hot flashes in midlife women.

Objective: To examine the associations between serum leptin levels, sex steroid hormone levels, and hot flashes in normal weight and obese midlife women.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University clinic.

Cosmetologists and reproductive outcomes.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that cosmetologists are at increased risk of poor pregnancy outcomes compared with women of the same age who are not cosmetologists.

Methods: Participants were recruited through mass mailing of questionnaires. To be included in the study, respondents to the survey had to be aged between 21 and 55 years and not have had a hysterectomy or oophorectomy.

Race and health-related quality of life in midlife women in Baltimore, Maryland.

Objective: Only a few studies have examined the association between race/ethnicity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during midlife. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine this association in the context of a population-based study of Caucasian and African-American women aged 45-54 years.

Methods: Data from 626 pre- and peri-menopausal African-American and Caucasian women aged 45-54 years were analyzed.

Cigarette smoking, androgen levels, and hot flushes in midlife women.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that cigarette smoking is associated with hot flushes through a mechanism involving androgen levels, progesterone levels, sex hormone-binding globulin levels, or the ratio of androgens to estrogens.

Methods: Women with and without hot flushes were recruited from Baltimore, Maryland, and the surrounding counties. Women were between 45 and 54 years of age, with at least three menstrual periods in the previous 12 months, and were not postmenopausal.

Endogenous hormones, participant characteristics, and symptoms among midlife women.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to examine the associations between endogenous hormone levels and symptoms other than hot flashes in a sample of midlife women.

Methods: Data from a community-based sample of 603 women aged 45-54 years who had never used hormone therapy were analyzed. Each participant completed a questionnaire to obtain data on demographic and lifestyle characteristics as well as symptoms, including headache, insomnia, vision problems, vaginal discharge and dryness, irritability, and incontinence.