Obese Women are Prone To Higher Menopause Symptoms

A new study propounds that obese women are more likely to encounter a higher prevalence of menopausal symptoms and less likely to experience symptomatic relief after hormone therapy (HT). The study results will be presented during the 2023 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Philadelphia, September 27-30.

Can Hormone Therapy Unburden the Menopause Symptoms in Obese Women?

Obesity has already been associated with a number of adverse health conditions and can interfere with a person’s quality of life (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Obesity in menopause - our negligence or an unfortunate inevitability?

Go to source). HT remains the most effective treatment to manage a wide array of menopause symptoms. Little research has been done, however, on the impact of co-morbidities on the efficacy of HT during menopause. More specifically, no research is known to exist relative to the effect of obesity on the effectiveness of HT. A new five-year study involving 119 patients sought to fill some of that information void by investigating the association between obesity and self-reported efficacy of HT in peri- and postmenopausal women. In this study, obesity was defined as a body mass index greater than or equal to 30.

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients (obese vs. non-obese) relative to age, duration of menopause, or use/acceptance of HT. Women with obesity, however, were more likely to self-identify as Black and report the presence of hot flashes, genitourinary/vulvovaginal symptoms, mood disturbances, and decreased libido.

“We studied menopausal symptoms in an underrepresented patient population that’s not often included in women’s health studies. This research can help clinicians serving a more diverse racial and socioeconomic patient population that’s severely affected by the social determinants of health to provide better-tailored care and counseling to patients seeking treatment for their menopausal symptoms,” says Dr. Pershad.

“This is important for healthcare professionals to consider when counseling their patients on the various options for managing their menopause symptoms,” adds Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society.

Reference:

1. Obesity in menopause – our negligence or an unfortunate inevitability? - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5509974/)

Source: Eurekalert