Background: Many women with multiple sclerosis (MS) are postmenopausal, yet the impact of menopause on MS symptoms is unknown.
Objective: To investigate patient-reported impact of menopause in a large online research platform, PatientsLikeMe (PLM).
Methods: A detailed reproductive history survey was deployed to PLM members, and responses were linked to PLM׳s prospectively collected patient-reported severity score (MS Rating Scale, MSRS). The MSRS has previously shown good correlation with physician-derived EDSS scores.
Results: Of the 513 respondents, 55% were postmenopausal; 54% of these reported induced menopause. Median age at natural menopause was 51. Surgical menopause occurred at an earlier age (p<0.001) and was associated with more hormone replacement therapy use (p=0.02) than natural menopause. Postmenopausal status, surgical menopause, and earlier age at menopause were all associated with worse MSRS scores (p≤0.01) in regressions adjusting for age, disease type and duration.
Conclusion: Postmenopausal patients in this study reported worse MS disease severity. Further, this study highlights a utility for online research platforms, which allow for rapid generation of hypotheses that then require validation in clinical settings.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2014.11.009 | DOI Listing |
Cells
January 2025
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Chicago, IL 60657, USA.
Chronic pain, pain that lasts beyond three months, is a common finding in the elderly. It is often due to musculoskeletal conditions but can be precipitated by other factors as well. While physiological systems decline with aging, chronic pain is influenced by changes in hormone profiles as men and women enter into andropause and menopause, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the association between tinnitus and menstrual cycle disorders in premenopausal women. A total of 558 participants completed a comprehensive questionnaire covering demographics, tinnitus, and gynecological/obstetric history. The analysis investigated the correlation between tinnitus and various menstrual disorders, including dysmenorrhea (primary, secondary, or premenstrual syndrome), as well as different menstrual cycle patterns (regular, hypomenorrhea, menorrhagia, oligomenorrhea, or polymenorrhea).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealth Expect
February 2025
Department of Nursing, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Menopause, a significant life transition for half the global population, intersects biological, cultural and social dimensions. Despite its universal occurrence, menopause research has historically been dominated by biomedical perspectives, often neglecting women's voices and diverse experiences. This article highlights the importance of including women's perspectives in menopause research to ensure relevance, accuracy and equity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Public Health
January 2025
Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term health outcomes and quality of life (HRQoL) associated with untreated pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) in women, and to identify key factors contributing to symptom severity.
Methods: A cohort of 1,651 women aged 18 years and older with untreated PFD were recruited between June 2018 and August 2023. Data on sociodemographic, lifestyle factors, and clinical history were collected via questionnaires and clinical assessments.
Menopause
January 2025
From the Infertility and Health Reproductive Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
Objective: Menopausal symptoms can significantly impact women's quality of life. Herbal interventions like Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) have been suggested as potential remedies. However, their efficacy and safety remain underexplored.
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