Practice observed in managing gynaecological problems in post-menopausal women during the COVID-19 pandemic

Karim, Faisal; Araklitis, George; Robinson, Dudley; Cardozo, Linda

doi:10.1177/2053369120957540

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…The COVID-19 pandemic has induced a new way of life around the world, characterized by social restraints, loneliness, reduced support, occupational uncertainties, fear of the disease, fear for the health of relatives, and continuous negative input from the media (14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Several reports indicated that all these factors have an impact on psychological equilibrium, increasing disturbances, particularly anxiety and symptoms of depression (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Everyday life has changed remarkably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social and family contacts have been reduced (14), there are fewer work opportunities and salaries have dropped (15), access to healthcare facilities has been hampered (16,17), and our future financial well-being and health along with that of our families is uncertain (18). All these factors may be having a negative impact on our psychological equilibrium (19,24), and this could be particularly evident in menopausal women, who are already living a critical period of their lives (5,17,22,23).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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New needs for menopausal women during COVID-19 pandemic. A physician-based investigation

2021

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It was evaluated whether the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced the manifestation of menopausal symptoms. In a web interview, 143 physicians, experts on the menopause, were asked to rate their perceived prevalence of hot flush, sleep disorder, sexual disturbance, anxiety and depression as 'rare', 'seldom', 'frequent' and 'very frequent' in patients they managed prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to physicians, there was no major change in the prevalence of hot flush, sleep disorder and sexual disturbance but prevalence of anxiety (39-8% vs 75.5%; p < 0.0001) and depressive (35.6% vs 72.0%; p < 0.0001) symptoms increased during COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 pandemic has changed the composite picture of menopausal symptoms, challenging physicians to adjust their therapeutic approach to the new need. Approaches capable to treat vasomotor symptoms but also highly effective on mood disturbance should be preferred. SOMMARIOLo studio ha voluto valutare se le manifestazioni della sintomatologia climaterica fossero cambiate durante la pandemia da COVID-19. Lo studio è stato effettuato durante un webinar su 143 specialisti esperti nel trattamento dei disturbi menopausali. È stato chiesto di definire, in relazione al periodo pre-CO-VID e al periodo pandemico, la prevalenza nelle loro pazienti di vampate di calore, disturbi del sonno, disturbi della sessualità, ansietà e sintomi depressivi, secondo le categorie "rara", "talvolta", "frequente" e "molto frequente". Dai dati emerge che mentre la prevalenza delle vampate di calore, disturbi del sonno e della sessualità non si è modificata, la prevalenza dei disturbi dell'ansia (39-8% vs 75.5%; p < 0.0001) e della depressione (35.6% vs 72.0%; p < 0.0001) è aumentata durante la pandemia. Il cambiamento nella prevalenza dei sintomi menopausali richiede un adattamento terapeutico alle nuove necessità e la scelta di presidi che siano in grado non solo di curare i sintomi vasomotori ma anche di avere un effetto positivo sul tono dell'umore.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New needs for menopausal women during COVID-19 pandemic. A physician-based investigation

2021

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“…The principal limitation of this study was that we collected data between November 2020 and March 2021. This time horizon included national lockdowns and so we need to take into consideration that the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced personal experiences of menopause and that general accessibility to menopause care also is reported to have declined [48]. We also acknowledge that because the survey was conducted and distributed electronically, we may have excluded individuals with limited digital access.…”

Section: Study Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experience and severity of menopause symptoms and effects on health-seeking behaviours: a cross-sectional online survey of community dwelling adults in the United Kingdom

et al. 2023

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Background Almost all women will experience menopause, and the symptoms can have a severely detrimental impact on their quality of life. However, there is limited research exploring health-seeking behaviours and alternative service design or consultation formats. Group consultations have been successfully deployed in perinatal and diabetic care, improving accessibility and outcomes. This cross-sectional online survey was conducted to explore women’s personal experiences of menopause, including perspectives on group consultations. Methods An online survey investigated the experiences of individuals at all stages of menopause and their receptiveness towards group consultations for menopause. Respondents were categorised by menopause stage according to the STRAW + 10 staging system. Associations between menopause stage, acceptability of group consultations and participant demographics were assessed using logistic regression. Results Respondents experienced an average of 10.7 menopausal symptoms, but only 47% of respondents felt they had the knowledge and tools to manage their symptoms. Advice on menopause was sought from a healthcare professional (HCP) by 61% of respondents, the largest trigger for this being severity of symptoms and the main barrier for this was the perception that menopause wasn’t a valid enough reason to seek help. Of the respondents seeking advice from HCPs, 32% were prescribed transdermal HRT, 29% received oral HRT, 19% were offered antidepressants, 18% received local oestrogen and 6% were prescribed testosterone. Over three quarters (77%) of respondents indicated that they would join a group consultation for menopause and would be comfortable sharing their experiences with others (75%). Logistic regression indicated premenopausal respondents were 2.84 times more likely than postmenopausal women to be interested in a group consultation where they can meet or learn from others’ experiences. Conclusions This study highlighted a strong willingness of women aged 35–70 to participate in group consultations for menopause, with motivation being strongest amongst premenopausal women. Low awareness of self-management and lifestyle interventions to manage the symptoms of menopause highlight the need for greater outreach, research and interventions to build knowledge and confidence in the general population at scale. Future studies should focus on investigating the effectiveness and economic impact of menopause group consultations and the lived experience of individuals participating in group consultations.

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“…The principal limitation of this study was that we collected data between November 2020 and March 2021. This time horizon included national lockdowns and so we need to take into consideration that the COVID-19 pandemic may have in uenced personal experiences of menopause and that general accessibility to menopause care also is reported to have declined [44]. We also acknowledge that because the survey was conducted and distributed electronically, we may have excluded individuals with limited digital access.…”

Section: Study Strengths and Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experience and severity of menopause symptoms and effects on health-seeking behaviours: A cross-sectional online survey of community dwelling adults in the United Kingdom

Huang

Goodship²,

Webber

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Objective Investigate personal experiences of menopause and perspectives on group consultations. Design Cross-sectional online survey of community-dwelling adults aged 35–70 years. Setting Community setting Participants 953 individuals assigned female at birth, aged 35–70 and living in the UK. Methods An online survey investigated the experiences of individuals at all stages of menopause and their receptiveness towards group consultations for menopause. Respondents were categorised by menopause stage according to the STRAW + 10 staging system. Associations between menopause stage, acceptability of group consultations and participant demographics were assessed using logistic regression. Main outcome measures Stage of menopause, self-care behaviours and acceptability of group consultations. Results Respondents experienced an average of 10.7 menopausal symptoms, but only 47% of respondents felt they had the knowledge and tools to manage their symptoms. Advice on menopause was sought from a healthcare professional (HCP) by 61% of respondents, the largest trigger for this being severity of symptoms and the main barrier for this was the perception that menopause wasn’t a valid enough reason to seek help. Of the respondents seeking advice from HCP, 32% were prescribed transdermal HRT, 30% received oral HRT, 19% were offered antidepressants, 18% received local oestrogen and 6% were prescribed testosterone. Over three quarters (77%) of respondents indicated that they would join a group consultation for menopause and would be comfortable sharing their experiences with others (75%). Logistic regression indicated premenopausal respondents were 2.84 times more likely than postmenopausal women to be interested in a group consultation where they can meet or learn from others’ experiences. Conclusions This study highlighted a strong willingness of women aged 35–70 to participate in group consultations for menopause, with motivation being strongest amongst premenopausal women. Low awareness of self-management and lifestyle interventions to manage the symptoms of menopause highlight the need for greater outreach, research and interventions to build knowledge and confidence in the general population at scale. Future studies should focus on investigating the effectiveness and economic impact of menopause group consultations and the lived experience of individuals participating in group consultations.

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Practice observed in managing gynaecological problems in post-menopausal women during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 4 publications

References 1 publication

New needs for menopausal women during COVID-19 pandemic. A physician-based investigation

New needs for menopausal women during COVID-19 pandemic. A physician-based investigation

Experience and severity of menopause symptoms and effects on health-seeking behaviours: a cross-sectional online survey of community dwelling adults in the United Kingdom

Experience and severity of menopause symptoms and effects on health-seeking behaviours: A cross-sectional online survey of community dwelling adults in the United Kingdom

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