The Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study: a longitudinal prospective study of women during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause

Woods, Nancy Fúgate; Mitchell, Ellen Sullivan

doi:10.1186/s40695-016-0019-x

Cited by 53 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…This was beyond our aims in this pilot study, but the problematic implications of relying purely on symptom reporting are several. First, in non-autistic women, menopausal symptoms change across the transition period ( Koebele et al, 2017 ; Woods & Mitchell, 2016 ). If the same is true for autistic people, then comparison of menopausal groups (whether with younger autistic people or non-autistic people) may be obfuscated by individual differences in transition stage.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘When my autism broke’: A qualitative study spotlighting autistic voices on menopause

Moseley

Druce

Turner‐Cobb

2020

Autism

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Autistic women often struggle with the onset of menstruation, a key transition point in the female reproductive lifespan. Presently, there is no research investigating how autistic people navigate the menopausal transition, and whether it poses additional challenges in addition to those already faced by neurotypical women. As a preliminary participatory study in this area, we conducted an online focus group with seven autistic individuals, aged 49–63 years (median = 64.5 years) and assigned female at birth, to explore the state of knowledge about the menopause in autism, difficulties the menopause might bring, support that might be needed, and what questions require scientific investigation. Thematic analysis of the discussion generated three themes: (a) lack of knowledge and understanding; (b) cracking the mask and adaptive functioning; and (c) finding support. Themes suggested a lack of professional knowledge, understanding and communication about menopause for autistic people, and an absence of support. Menopause was discussed as heightening pre-existing and generating new cognitive, social, emotional and sensory difficulties. This study illustrates the need for greater focus of attention towards how autistic people cope with the major life transition of menopause. Lay abstract Autistic girls are known to struggle with the onset of menstruation, reporting that during their period, sensory sensitivities are heightened, it becomes more difficult to think clearly and control their emotions and they struggle more with everyday life and self-care. Yet surprisingly, nothing is known about how autistic women handle the menopausal transition in midlife. In non-autistic women, the menopause brings many physical changes and challenging symptoms from hot flushes to feeling more anxious and depressed. Because autistic women are already vulnerable to suicide, poor physical and mental health, and because they may already struggle with planning, controlling their emotions and coping with change, the menopause may be an especially challenging time. Yet, not one single study exists on the menopause in autism, so we conducted an online discussion (focus group) with seven autistic women. They confirmed that very little is known about menopause in autistic people, very little support is available and that menopause might be especially difficult for autistic people. Autism-related difficulties (including sensory sensitivity, socializing with others and communicating needs) were reported to worsen during the menopause, often so dramatically that some participants suggested they found it impossible to continue to mask their struggles. Participants also reported having extreme meltdowns, experiencing anxiety and depression, and feeling suicidal. This study highlights how important it is that professionals pay attention to menopause in autism, and discusses future research directions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘When my autism broke’: A qualitative study spotlighting autistic voices on menopause

Moseley

Druce

Turner‐Cobb

2020

Autism

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“…The changes are related to the gradual declining of the endocrine function of the ovaries, which may trigger many psychophysical problems. At the same time the risk of metabolic diseases and cancer increases [9,10]. Another inherent element of the postmenopausal period are the characteristic changes of psychosocial nature -in addition to health issues problems concerning family life and work start to emerge and may have a significant impact on the quality of life and health of postmenopausal women [10,11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the same time the risk of metabolic diseases and cancer increases [9,10]. Another inherent element of the postmenopausal period are the characteristic changes of psychosocial nature -in addition to health issues problems concerning family life and work start to emerge and may have a significant impact on the quality of life and health of postmenopausal women [10,11]. Self-esteem diminishes and the perception of their own femininity is altered [10,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another inherent element of the postmenopausal period are the characteristic changes of psychosocial nature -in addition to health issues problems concerning family life and work start to emerge and may have a significant impact on the quality of life and health of postmenopausal women [10,11]. Self-esteem diminishes and the perception of their own femininity is altered [10,12]. Therefore, engaging in pro-health activities may significantly improve the condition of women in the postmenopausal period and reduce the intensity of experiencing climacteric syndrome symptoms [5,[13][14][15][16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Perception of health, health behaviours and the use of prophylactic examinations in postmenopausal women

Pilewska–Kozak¹,

Pałucka²,

Łepecka–Klusek³

et al. 2020

BMC Women's Health

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Background: Pro-health behaviours aim at disease prevention, recovery from an illness and maintenance of good health in a physical, mental and social sphere. The study had two main objectives: (a) to analyse health behaviours of postmenopausal women and their understanding of the notion of health, and (b) to analyse the relationship between individual categories of health behaviours and prophylactic activities undertaken by postmenopausal women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 510 postmenopausal women. Three study instruments were used: an original questionnaire and two instruments designed by Juczyński: the List of Health Criteria and the Health Behaviour Inventory. Results: In the view of the respondents health was primarily synonymous with a feature, because the following three associations were given the highest priority when defining health: to be healthy means 'have all body parts functioning well' (M = 1.82), 'do not experience any physical problems' (M = 1.43) and 'not be sick, only occasionally suffer from flu, cold or indigestion'. The score for health behaviours was average (M = 86.18). The highest score was achieved in the area of prophylactic behaviours. General indicator of health-related behaviours was higher in women who rated their health as very good (p < 0.05). Women whose general indicator of health-related behaviours was higher regularly performed prophylactic gynaecological examinations (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Results showed that women after menopause treat health mainly as a feature of their body and condition specific for this period of life. The analysis of postmenopausal women's health behaviours and their perception of health helped to identify areas that require the focus of medical personnel in regard to health promotion and prophylaxis. The average general indicator of health-related behaviours is positive for this group of women as it shows that they care about their health, especially in terms of prophylaxis.

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“…The attention paid to women’s health research has gradually increased since the 1970s [ 22 ]. One of the first longitudinal studies on the menopausal transition was the Massachusetts Women’s Health Study (MWHS) [ 23 ], followed by the Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study (SMWHS), which collected data over 23 years [ 24 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Swiss Perimenopause Study – study protocol of a longitudinal prospective study in perimenopausal women

Willi

Süss

Ehlert

2020

womens midlife health

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Background: The perimenopause is associated with considerable biopsychosocial changes. The majority of women manage to adjust to these changes and cope well with the shift from reproductive to non-reproductive life. However, some women develop burdensome physical and psychological symptoms during the perimenopause. A strong link between menopausal complaints and depressed mood has been shown in this regard. To date, the decisive factors determining whether a woman will successfully achieve a healthy transition remain unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate a range of theory-based markers related to health in perimenopausal women. Methods: The Swiss Perimenopause Study comprises a sample of 135 healthy perimenopausal women aged 40-56. A variety of health-related genetic, epigenetic, endocrinological, physiological, and psychosocial markers associated with the menopausal transition are investigated over a period of 13 months. Discussion: The Swiss Perimenopause Study will contribute to a better understanding of the biopsychosocial processes associated with the perimenopause, which should help to improve the clinical care of women undergoing the menopausal transition.

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The Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study: a longitudinal prospective study of women during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause

Cited by 53 publications

References 49 publications

‘When my autism broke’: A qualitative study spotlighting autistic voices on menopause

‘When my autism broke’: A qualitative study spotlighting autistic voices on menopause

Perception of health, health behaviours and the use of prophylactic examinations in postmenopausal women

The Swiss Perimenopause Study – study protocol of a longitudinal prospective study in perimenopausal women

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