Nutritional Risk Factors Associated with Vasomotor Symptoms in Women Aged 40–65 Years

Abstract

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are the most common symptoms among menopausal women; these include hot flashes and night sweats, and palpitations often occur along with hot flashes. Some studies in Mexico reported that around 50% of women presented with VMS mainly in the menopausal transition. It has been proven that VMS are not only triggered by an estrogen deficiency, but also by nutritional risk factors. Evidence of an association between nutritional risk factors and VMS is limited in Mexican women. The aim of this study is to identify nutritional risk factors associated with VMS in women aged 40–65 years. This is a comparative cross-sectional study, undertaken in a retrospective way. A sample group (n = 406 women) was divided into four stages according to STRAW+10 (Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop): late reproductive, menopausal transition, early postmenopause, and late postmenopause. Hot flashes were present mainly in the early postmenopause stage (38.1%, p ≤ 0.001). Two or more VMS were reported in 23.2% of women in the menopausal transition stage and 29.3% in the early postmenopause stage (p < 0.001). The presence of VMS was associated with different nutritional risk factors (weight, fasting glucose levels, cardiorespiratory fitness, and tobacco use) in women living in the northeast of Mexico.

Prevalence and impact of vasomotor symptoms due to menopause among women in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Nordic Europe: a cross-sectional survey

“…Our study expands on previous reports showing differences in VMS prevalence between regions, suggesting that differences in geographic, ethnic, and cultural differences may influence the prevalence of VMS and pursuit of treatment 31,35,36 …”

“…Our study expands on previous reports showing differences in VMS prevalence between regions, suggesting that differences in geographic, ethnic, and cultural differences may influence the prevalence of VMS and pursuit of treatment. 31,35,36 Findings using validated, standardized instruments (MENQoL, WPAI, and PROMIS sleep measures) confirmed that moderate to severe VMS in women in perimenopause or postmenopause can negatively affect QoL, productivity at work and home, and sleep quality. The mean total MENQoL score was higher in the current survey (4.13) than in a report by Stute et al 8 of women aged 40 to 65 years from Europe or the United States (2.5 overall and 2.1, 2.7, and 3.1 in women with mild, moderate, and severe VMS, respectively).…”

Nutrition and Specific Diseases in Women during the Life Course

“…Specific diseases in women such as letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome [4], uterine fibroids [3], vasomotor symptoms [13], and endometrial cancer [12] were examined within this Special Issue.…”