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Climacteric 2020 Apr 17:1-7. Epub 2020 Apr 17.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats) are common during the menopausal transition. Pharmacotherapy is effective but is associated with health risks for some women. There is an increasing demand for non-pharmacological interventions. Read More

Menopause 2020 Jul;27(7):746-755

Department of Psychiatry, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO.

Objective: Despite the fact that negative mood and executive dysfunction are common after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), occurring in up to a third of women, little is known about risk factors predicting these negative outcomes. Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) predict poorer health in adulthood and may be a risk factor for negative outcomes after RRSO. Given the complex relationship between early life stress, affective disorders, and cognitive dysfunction, we hypothesized that ACE would be associated with poorer executive function and that mood symptoms would partially mediate this relationship. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020 May 11;525(4):915-920. Epub 2020 Mar 11.

Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Ji-nan, 25000, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrinology and Lipid Metabolism, Ji-nan, 25000, China; Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shandong Academy of Clinical Medicine, Medicine, Ji-nan, 25000, China; School of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji-nan, 25000, China; Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji-nan, 25000, China. Electronic address:

Affective disorders are a set of mental disorders and particularly disrupt the mental health of susceptible women during puberty, pregnancy, parturition and menopause transition, which are characterized by dramatic changes in reproductive hormone profiles. The serum FSH level changes significantly during these periods; yet, the role of FSH in mood regulation is poorly understood. In the current study, FSHR knockout (Fshr) mice displayed enhanced affective disorder behaviors in an open field test and a forced swim test, accompanied by altered gene expression profiles. Read More

Obstet Gynecol 2020 Apr;135(4):853-868

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, MacDonald Women's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, and Ms. Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Increasing numbers of women experience early menopause due in part to surgical treatment for benign gynecologic disorders and the rise in risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in women with BRCA mutations. Unfortunately, the adverse health consequences of early loss of ovarian function accelerate the menopausal state and affect multiple systems, including cardiovascular, neurologic, bone, and connective tissue, and affect quality of life owing to vasomotor symptoms, mood, sleep, and sexual function. Yet many clinicians and women remain reluctant to use hormone therapy because of the Women's Health Initiative's adverse findings, even though they are not applicable to women with early menopause. Read More

Menopause 2020 04;27(4):377-379

University of California, San Diego, CA.

Biomolecules 2020 01 13;10(1). Epub 2020 Jan 13.

Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.

Avocado and soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) constitute vegetable extracts made from fruits and seeds of avocado and soybean oil. Characterized by its potent anti-inflammatory effects, this ASU mixture is recommended to act as an adjuvant treatment for osteoarthritic pain and slow-acting symptomatic treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis; autoimmune diseases; diffuse scleroderma and scleroderma-like states (e.g. Read More

Ann Agric Environ Med 2019 Dec 7;26(4):600-605. Epub 2019 Nov 7.

Institute of Statistics and Demography, Collegium of Economic Analysis, SGH School of Economics, Warsaw, Poland.

Objective: The aim of the study was evaluation of the relationship between severity of symptoms of climacteric syndrome, depressive disorders and sleep problems, and the self-rated work ability of peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women in non-manual employment.

Material And Methods: The study included 287 women aged 45-60 years, employed in various institutions as non-manual workers. Work Ability Index, Greene Climacteric Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Athens Insomnia Scale were used. Read More

J Psychosom Res 2020 01 20;128:109882. Epub 2019 Nov 20.

Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Neurological and Behavioral Outcomes Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: This 6-week, prospective, single-arm study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of cognitive behavioral group therapy in peri- and postmenopausal women with mood disorders (major depression or bipolar) and problematic vasomotor menopausal symptoms.

Methods: 59 participants from an outpatient clinic with mood disorders and problematic vasomotor symptoms were enrolled. The primary outcomes were change from baseline to 6 weeks in Hot Flush Night Sweat Problem Rating, Hot Flash Related Daily Interference, and Quality of Life. Read More

Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020 02 14;112:104512. Epub 2019 Nov 14.

Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address:

The neuroactive steroid 3α-5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (allopregnanolone), a metabolite of progesterone, is a positive allosteric modulator of GABA receptors, and low levels have been implicated in the etiology of mood disorders. However, it is not known whether metabolism of progesterone to allopregnanolone varies across the menstrual cycle or is low after menopause. We hypothesized that the allopregnanolone/progesterone ratio would decrease from the follicular to luteal phase. Read More

Maturitas 2020 Jan 5;131:91-101. Epub 2019 Nov 5.

Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

Introduction: Globally, the total number of people with depression exceeds 300 million, and the incidence rate is 70 % greater in women. The perimenopause is considered to be a time of increased risk for the development of depressive symptoms and major depressive episodes.

Aim: The aim of this position statement is to provide a comprehensive model of care for the management of depressive symptoms in perimenopausal and early menopausal women, including diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Read More

Maturitas 2019 Oct 28;128:1-3. Epub 2019 Jun 28.

Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy. Electronic address:

Sleep disorders increase in prevalence during the menopausal transition and they constitute a complex phenomenon. Insomnia, the main sleep disorder, can be a primary disorder or it can be secondary to hot flushes (HF), mood disorders, psychosocial factors, medical conditions, and other sleep disturbances, such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) or restless legs syndrome (RLS). Menopausal women complaining of persistent sleep disorders should be referred to a sleep specialist for comprehensive sleep management because unrecognized and untreated sleep disorders can have dramatic health-related consequences. Read More

Maturitas 2019 Nov 15;129:30-39. Epub 2019 Aug 15.

Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.

Insomnia, vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and depression often co-occur after the menopause, with consequent health problems and reductions in quality of life. The aim of this position statement is to provide evidence-based advice on the management of postmenopausal sleep disorders derived from a systematic review of the literature. The latter yielded results on VMS, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and restless leg syndrome (RLS). Read More

Maturitas 2019 Nov 13;129:23-29. Epub 2019 Aug 13.

Southeast University, China. Electronic address:

Background: Menopause syndrome generally includes psychological problems. Group treatment delivered via the Internet and mobile phone (imGT) may improve women's physiological and psychological conditions.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of group cognitive behavioural therapy of menopause-related mood swings and quality of life, delivered face to face or via the Internet and mobile phone. Read More

Prz Menopauzalny 2019 Jun 28;18(2):110-115. Epub 2019 Jun 28.

2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.

Menopause is the condition in which the gradual decline in ovarian function finally leads to the permanent cessation of menstruation. Oestrogen deficiency may cause early symptoms during the menopausal transition and late symptoms after menopause. Menopause is a normal period of life. Read More

Menopause 2019 12;26(12):1395-1404

Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

Objective: We studied eight mental health conditions diagnosed before bilateral oophorectomy performed for nonmalignant indications.

Methods: We identified 1,653 premenopausal women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy for a nonmalignant indication in Olmsted County, Minnesota, during a 20-year period (1988-2007). Each woman was matched by age (±1 year) to one population-based control who had not undergone bilateral oophorectomy before the index date (age range: 21-49 years). Read More

Medicina (Kaunas) 2019 Aug 28;55(9). Epub 2019 Aug 28.

Department of Women, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.

The menopausal transition, or perimenopause, is characterized by menstrual irregularities, vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbances, mood symptoms, and urogenital tract atrophy. These changes can also affect the quality of life and one's self-esteem. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is considered the best option to achieve therapeutic relief of different menopausal symptoms but is usually restricted to moderate or severe symptoms. Read More

Menopause 2019 09;26(9):972-980

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for menopausal symptoms (CBT-Meno) compared with a waitlist condition (no active intervention). A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 71 perimenopausal or postmenopausal women who were seeking treatment for menopausal symptoms.

Methods: Blind assessments were conducted at baseline, 12 weeks postbaseline, and 3 months post-treatment. Read More

Cas Lek Cesk 2019 ;158(3-4):107-111

Tibolon is the only therapeutic approach to climacteric symptoms, prevention of osteoporosis and urogenital atrophy with the same efficacy as hormone replacement therapy. Tibolon has more positive effects on sexuality and mood changes in menopausal women. It decreases the mammographic density. Read More

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 2019 Sep;46(3):441-453

Division of Emergency Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI 02905, USA.

Menstrual health assessment facilitates identification of pathologic conditions (eg, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis), offers the opportunity to educate women on what menstrual symptoms may be normal or abnormal, and provides the opportunity to initiate treatment for women who are suffering because of problems with menstrual bleeding or associated symptoms. Heavy bleeding, pain, fatigue, and mood changes significantly affect a woman's physical, social, and emotional quality of life. Promptly identifying and treating these disorders by incorporating their assessment into routine well-woman care has the potential to positively affect the lives of a substantial number of women. Read More

Neurotherapeutics 2019 07;16(3):649-665

Center for Cognitive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA.

There are 3 common physiological estrogens, of which estradiol (E2) is seen to decline rapidly over the menopausal transition. This decline in E2 has been associated with a number of changes in the brain, including cognitive changes, effects on sleep, and effects on mood. These effects have been demonstrated in both rodent and non-human preclinical models. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Jul 27;20(15). Epub 2019 Jul 27.

Institute of Endocrinology, 11694 Prague, Czech Republic.

Spa treatment can effectively reestablish mood balance in patients with psychiatric disorders. In light of the adrenal gland's role as a crossroad of psychosomatic medicine, this study evaluated changes in 88 circulating steroids and their relationships with a consolidation of somatic, psychosomatic and psychiatric components from a modified N-5 neurotic questionnaire in 46 postmenopausal 50+ women with anxiety-depressive complaints. The patients underwent a standardized one-month intervention therapy with physical activity and an optimized daily regimen in a spa in the Czech Republic. Read More

Support Care Cancer 2019 Dec 25;27(12):4401-4433. Epub 2019 Jul 25.

Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building F-kine, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.

Background: Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide, with rising incidence numbers. In Belgium, one out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, 80% of those breast cancer patients will still be alive 10 years after diagnosis due to improvements in screening and treatment strategies. Read More

J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2019 08 23;28(8):1019-1022. Epub 2019 Jul 23.

2Division of Women's Health Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Complement Ther Med 2019 Aug 31;45:109-113. Epub 2019 May 31.

Midwifery Department, Menopause & Andropause Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

Objectives: Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) is an herbal plant that has antidepressant activity and contains ingredients such as flavonols derivatives, bioflavonoids, proanthocyanidins, xanthones, phloroglucinol, and naphthodianthrones. This study was aimed to test the effect of Hypericum perforatum on hot flashes, menopausal symptoms, and depression in postmenopausal women.

Design & Setting: This randomized controlled study was conducted on 80 postmenopausal women aged 45-60 in Izeh, Iran. Read More

Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult 2019 ;96(3):50-59

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia.

Background: The problem of ensuring long-term well-being and high quality of life for older women is becoming the most important goal of modern medicine. The initial presence of metabolic syndrome complicates the course of menopause; and menopausal hormone therapy cannot always be used. The urgency for finding the effective ways of non-drug correction of menopausal disorders in this category of patients is obvious. Read More

Neurochem Res 2019 Aug 28;44(8):1781-1795. Epub 2019 Jun 28.

School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620024, India.

The hippocampus-derived neuroestradiol plays a major role in neuroplasticity, independent of circulating estradiol that originates from gonads. The response of hypothalamus-pituitary regions towards the synthesis of neuroestradiol in the hippocampus is an emerging scientific concept in cognitive neuroscience. Hippocampal plasticity has been proposed to be regulated via neuroblasts, a major cellular determinant of functional neurogenesis in the adult brain. Read More

Post Reprod Health 2019 Sep 27;25(3):124-130. Epub 2019 Jun 27.

Maturitas 2019 Aug 14;126:51-54. Epub 2019 May 14.

Department of Clinical and experimental Medicine, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, Italy.

The increased prevalence of sleep disorders associated with menopause has been emphasized by multiple international studies. Many factors are associated with insomnia during menopause, among them: hot flashes (HF), anxiety and depression, other medical conditions, behavioral and psychosocial factors and primitive sleep patterns. The domino hypothesis connects various factors and suggests that HF disturb sleep, thereby causing insomnia, which in turn increases vulnerability to depression. Read More

Biol Psychiatry 2019 09 7;86(6):421-432. Epub 2019 May 7.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.

Susceptibility and resilience to stress depend on 1) the timing of the exposure with respect to development, 2) the time across the life span at which effects are measured, and 3) the behavioral or biological phenotype under consideration. This translational review examines preclinical stress models that provide clues to causal mechanisms and their relationship to the more complex phenomenon of stress-related psychiatric and cognitive disorders in humans. We examine how genetic sex and epigenetic regulation of hormones contribute to the proximal and distal effects of stress at different epochs of life. Read More

Transl Psychiatry 2019 06 7;9(1):160. Epub 2019 Jun 7.

Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.

Accumulating evidence supports a link between depression and being overweight in women. Given previously reported sex differences in fat accumulation and depression prevalence, as well as the likely role of sex hormones in both overweight and mood disorders, we hypothesised that the depression-overweight association may be mediated by sex hormones. To this end, we investigated the association of being overweight with depression, and then considered the role of sex hormones in relation to being overweight and depression in a large population-based cohort. Read More

Menopause 2019 May 15. Epub 2019 May 15.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for menopausal symptoms (CBT-Meno) compared with a waitlist condition (no active intervention). A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 71 perimenopausal or postmenopausal women who were seeking treatment for menopausal symptoms.

Methods: Blind assessments were conducted at baseline, 12 weeks postbaseline, and 3 months post-treatment. Read More

Med Clin North Am 2019 Jul;103(4):651-667

Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University School of Medicine, 752 King Street West, Kingston, Ontario K7L 4X3, Canada; Research and Innovation, Providence Care Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Windows of vulnerability for depression have been associated with increased sensitivity to hormonal changes experienced by some women during the luteal phase, postpartum, and/or menopause. Increased awareness has resulted in greater adoption of screening tools for mood and behavioral changes and tailored therapies. This article discusses study results and controversies surrounding therapies uniquely designed for menopause-related depression. Read More

Med Clin North Am 2019 Jul;103(4):601-612

VA Connecticut Health Care System, Women's Clinic, Building 2, Room 7-165, 950 Campbell Avenue, New Haven, CT 06516, USA. Electronic address:

Women undergo developmental and cyclic changes in hormonal exposures that affect brain function and mental health. Some women are more vulnerable to the effects of these hormonal exposures, for reasons that remain to be determined. Evidence to date indicates that anxiety and mood disorders are the most sensitive to hormonal fluctuations in women but there is also growing evidence for a protective effect of female reproductive hormones on schizophrenia. Read More

Maturitas 2019 May 15;123:78-81. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatric Section, University of Pisa, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana (AUOP), Pisa, Italy. Electronic address:

Insomnia is a common and recurring condition during the menopausal transition that negatively affects both quality of life and health. Peri-menopausal insomnia has a multifactorial etiology; previous depression, hormonal changes and age/hormone-related irregularity in circadian rhythms can contribute to menopausal insomnia. Age-related poor health, pain and stress may favor the development of insomnia, while vasomotor symptoms, in particular hot flashes, may contribute to chronic forms of insomnia by activating a vicious cycle. Read More

J Med Life 2018 Oct-Dec;11(4):286-292

School of Health Sciences, Health Professions 2239, Central Michigan University, Michigan, United States of America.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D and postpartum depression in reproductive-aged Iranian women. This study was conducted on 120 women (60 with postpartum depression and 60 without) in Izeh, Iran. A socio-demographic questionnaire and Beck Depression Scale were used for data collection. Read More

J Evid Based Integr Med 2019 Jan-Dec;24:2515690X19829380

1 Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.

Menopause is associated with problematic symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep problems, mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and declines in cognitive functioning. Many women seek complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for symptom management. This article critically reviews the existing literature on CAM treatments most commonly used for menopausal symptoms. Read More

J Affect Disord 2019 Apr 11;249:216-222. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse 14, Zurich 8050, Switzerland; URPP Dynamics of Healthy Aging Research Priority Program, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Background: Within the female life cycle, the perimenopause is considered as a critical period for the development of depression. Prevalence rates are particularly high during this phase. Perimenopausal depression is characterized by affective symptoms as well as menopause-specific somatic complaints. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Feb;98(7):e14574

Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan.

Background: Perimenopausal depressive disorder (PDD) is a disease that plagues many perimenopausal women. There is an urgent need for a safe way to treat the disease. With few side effects, acupuncture treatment for PDD has been gradually accepted. Read More

Gynecol Endocrinol 2019 Apr 10;35(4):360-363. Epub 2019 Feb 10.

b Exeltis Healthcare , Ismaning , Germany.

Safety concerns or contraindications to the use of hormones have resulted in a rise of the use of herbal medicinal products for the management of menopausal symptoms. The pollen extract Sérélys represents, due to its ingredients and mode of action, a new and innovative alternative for the management of these symptoms. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of Sérélys. Read More

J Affect Disord 2019 04 25;248:13-17. Epub 2018 Dec 25.

Department of Health Convergence, Ewha Womans University, 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Objective: The relationship between breastfeeding and maternal depression in later life has not yet been investigated. We examined whether the number of breastfed infants or the period of breastfeeding influenced maternal depression in postmenopausal women.

Methods: We analyzed 1,372 parous postmenopausal women aged ≥ 50 years who had participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014. Read More

Int Rev Psychiatry 2019 05 31;31(3):237-244. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

a Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences , Women's Mood Disorders Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA.

Psychiatric symptoms that coincide with reproductive transitions are related to changes in sex steroids, but studies show that this relationship is governed by individual women's vulnerability to change rather than by differences in level. There is growing interest in the role of allopregnanolone (ALLO), a 3- reduced metabolite of progesterone and a strong allosteric modulator of the GABA receptor, in such symptoms, with enough evidence now across various times of reproductive transition to offer an overview of the role of this hormone in reproductive psychiatry. This review offers a brief overview, focusing on literature of the last 3 years, of the relationship between allopregnanolone and mood at menarche; in the menstrual cycle; in the peripartum; and in the menopausal transition. Read More

Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging 2019 03 4;4(3):310-320. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin. Electronic address:

Background: Decades of research point to cortisol insensitivity as a biomarker of depression. Despite a vast literature on cortisol's effects on memory, the role of cortisol insensitivity in core psychological features of depression, such as emotional memory biases, is unknown.

Methods: Sixty-five premenopausal women with varying levels of depression completed this study involving an at-home low-dose dexamethasone suppression test and four experimental sessions (i. Read More

J Psychiatr Res 2019 03 8;110:166-171. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Massachusetts General Hospital, USA.

Background: While ketamine has been increasingly studied for treatment resistant depression (TRD), the impact of sex differences on treatment outcomes has not been well studied. The objective was to ascertain whether there were differences in response to a single administration of ketamine for TRD between men and women, and between pre- and post-menopausal women.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (N = 99; N = 50 male; N = 49 female) was conducted to investigate the efficacy of intravenous ketamine versus active placebo as augmentation of antidepressant therapy for TRD. Read More

Aging (Albany NY) 2019 01;11(1):174-184

Cajal Institute, Madrid, Spain.

We recently reported that exercise increases resilience to stress in young female mice. Underlying mechanisms include an interaction of the ovarian hormone estradiol (E2) with insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and an increase in the hippocampal levels of the latter. Since changes in mood regulation during aging may contribute to increasing incidence of affective disorders at older age, we determined whether the protective actions of exercise are maintained at later ages. Read More

Psychooncology 2019 01 20;28(1):22-30. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

School of Women and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Objective: Cancer patients experience reproductive concerns from diagnosis through to survivorship. However, research has yet to investigate the degree of fertility-related psychological distress at different treatment time points: diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Currently, cancer patients are offered fertility counselling at the time of diagnosis, to assist fertility preservation decision making. Read More

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 2018 Dec 25;45(4):613-628. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12631 East 17th Avenue, Mail Stop B-198, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address:

Key cycle changes occur as women transition from reproductive life to menopause, and they can be roughly linked to menopausal staging. It is important to understand the types of studies that inform the current knowledge. Patterns of symptoms within menstrual cycles (sleep, headache) generally favor worsening in association with the perimenstrual phase of the cycle, and patterns of chronic symptoms, such as hot flashes and adverse mood, appear to be worse when hormones are more variable. Read More

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 2018 Dec 25;45(4):585-597. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Although more than 80% of women experience some degree of psychological or physical symptoms around menopause, both women and clinicians have misconceptions about how hormonal changes relate to menopausal symptoms and psychological conditions. Recently, several large-scale, longitudinal studies have been conducted to better characterize symptoms and changes that occur around menopause. This article offers current evidence for symptoms that occur in the early menopause transition, including vasomotor symptoms, mood changes, sleep problems, and changes in sexual functioning. Read More

Prim Care 2018 Dec 5;45(4):625-641. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 1100 Delaplaine, Madison, WI 53715, USA.

The menopausal transition is a time when many physical and psychological changes are occurring for women. Women may experience irregular menses, vasomotor symptoms, sleep disruption, mood disorders as well as genitourinary symptoms. Despite irregular menstrual cycles, some women can still conceive. Read More

Gulf J Oncolog 2018 Sep;1(28):23-30

School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

Introduction: Considering the fact that depression in patients with breast cancer increases the severity and complications of medical treatments such as chemotherapy (including fatigue, nausea, and cognitive problems), the identification of its related factors can be one of the important steps in reducing the complications of this disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between psychological hardiness and resilience with depression in women with breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: The present study was a descriptive-analytic study, the population of which included all women with breast cancer under chemotherapy referred to Oncology Center of Imam Hassan Mojtaba Hospital in Dezful city from July 2015 to December 2016. Read More

Ann Med 2018 11 19;50(7):596-604. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

b School of Medicine , Chang Gung University , Taoyuan , Taiwan.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) would be positively associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) in perimenopausal women from a population-based perspective, after adjustment for all potential confounders.

Methods: This study used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database, 2005-2012, to report on MDD in perimenopausal women.

Results: The odds ratio (OR) for MDD increased when there was a smoker was in the home, as compared to not having a smoker in the home (aOR = 2. Read More