Recent studies suggest that women who are obese may experience more symptoms of menopause and less relief with hormone therapy (HT). Although HT continues to be the most effective treatment for managing various menopause symptoms, little research has been done on how comorbidities affect HT's effectiveness during menopause.
A recent five-year study attempted to bridge part of that knowledge gap by looking into the relationship between obesity and the self-reported effectiveness of HT in peri- and post-menopausal women. Obesity was regarded in this study as having a body mass index of 30 or more.
Dr Anita Pershad from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk led the study. She said, "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.
