• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.249-259
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• 2023

Purpose: Based on the Reserve Capacity Model, this study investigated the effects of pre- and postmenopausal women's socioeconomic status (SES) on depression, focusing on the mediating effects of self-esteem, happiness, and family relationship satisfaction with social network relationships. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved secondary analysis of national data on 771 perimenopause women gathered from the 16th Korea Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS) 2021. A path analysis model was constructed to evaluate the relationship between SES, social network satisfaction, self-esteem, perceived health status, and depression. Data were analyzed using ADANCO 2.3.1 and Mplus 8.4. Results: Although SES had no direct effect on depression, it did affect depression through self-esteem, happiness, and satisfaction with family relationships. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that perimenopausal women's personal resources—psychosocial variables such as self-esteem and happiness—had a higher effect on depression than tangible reserves like SES. Therefore, interventions for enhancing self-esteem and happiness may prevent depression in perimenopausal women effectively.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2006

Herbal medicines are widely used for centuries to treat illness and improve health in Asia and the use of these remedies has become a worldwide form of alternative therapy. However, there is very limited evidence from randomized controlled trials to support the efficacy of the vast majority of herbal products. Of the commonly used herbal medicines, systemic clinical experiences and promising experiments in animals have found potential evidence of efficacy for six herbal medicines (Unkei-to, Hachimijio-gan, Keishi-bukuryo-gan, Toki-shakuyaku-san, Shakuyaku-kanzo-to, Sairei-to) in the treatment for female reproductive dysfunction. Because herbs may contain potent bioactive substances, the physician should have an opportunity to outline more stringent regulation, similar to over-the counter drug.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.28-37
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to address the difference menopausal symptoms according to sasang constitution and menopausal status among perimenopausal women. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study was collected by administering questionnaires that elicited general information. The menopause rating scale (MRS) and Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution Classification II (QSCC II) was given to 284 perimenopausal women who met the eligibility criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Results: The study subjects were composed of 27.5% so-yangin, 24.6% so-eumin, 18.7% tae-eumin, and 29.6% undefined category. The total MRS and all subscales were significantly higher for postmenopausal women in comparison to premenopausal women. Especially, so-eumin and tae-eumin displayed significantly higher scores in urogenital symptoms. The MRS score in postmenopausal women who belonged to the group of tae-eumin and so-eumin was significantly higher than those for premenopausal women. However, so-yangin displayed higher scores in psychological and urogenital symptoms than tae-eumin for premenopausal women. So-eumin presented significantly higher scores in urogenital symptoms in comparison to the undefined category for postmenopausal women. Conclusion: These findings suggest that sasang constitution could be an important factor in understanding the woman's menopausal symptoms and identify the best treatment.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.386-394
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• 2003

Purpose: This study was designed to explore the association of diet with menopausal symptoms in Korean women, Method: For this cross-sectional survey, 276 women aged between 45-55 years visiting two branches of K-university hospital located in Seoul and Ansan of Kyunggi province were recruited from April to July, 2002. A menopause-specific quality-of-life questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire were used to measure menopause-related symptoms and the intake of 28 types of foods. Result: No differences were found in the levels of bothersome total menopausal symptoms, physical symptoms, psychosocial symptoms, and sexual symptoms according to the intake of each food. Only higher intake of fishes, seaweeds, and vegetable oils were inversely associated with bothersome levels of vasomotor symptoms. Women with higher intake of yellow-green vegetables and lower intake of coffee, confectionery, and processed foods reported lower hot flush rate. Conclusion: The results suggest that higher intake of yellow-green vegetables and lower intake of coffee, confectionery and processed foods may relieve hot flushes. Further study needs to be pursued to study the relationship with nutrients of these foods and hot flushes.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.199-206
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• 2017

As the population ages, the life of women after menopause becomes much longer than the past, and the quality of life of old age becomes increasingly principal issue. There is a period that women experience the physical symptoms of menopause, although there are differences in degree, and the management of this period is a suitable time for women to improve their quality of life. According to the menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and Timing Hypothesis, which has been proven in the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS) and the Early vs Late Intervention Trial with Estradiol (ELITE) study, a relatively young woman before and after menopause can benefit from long-term beneficial effects such as prevention of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease by early initiation of hormone therapy to alleviate menopausal symptoms. MHT should be considered for all women in healthy (without other important diseases) menopausal years, expecting to improve their quality of life through symptom relief in menopausal women and, in the long term, to prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. When applying hormone therapy to individuals, it is necessary to establish various treatment strategies according to the menopausal symptoms of individual patients (individualization of treatment) and judge the suitability of clinical application.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.96-99
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• 2002

Menopause, the cessation of menstruation caused by the decline in estrogen production, occurs in 95% of women between 40 and 60 years. Sleep disturbance is a frequent complaint during the perimenopause period. In contrast to premenopausla women, menopausal women experience more reduction in the total sleep hours and report more sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, noctiria and sleep disordered breathing. But the prevalence, etiology and treatment of sleep disturbances in menopause are still controversal. So further investigations are required to elucidate the factors that account for the differences in sleep disturbance between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. There are suggestive data that estrogen and progesterone deficiency may increase the susceptibility for sleep disorder in menopause. Furthermore, there are suggestive evidence from observational studies and a limited number of randomized, controlled trials that hormone replacement therapy after menopause improves sleep. However, the clinical relevance of hormone replacement therapy is unproved. So the overall benefit of hormonal replacement in postmenopausal women with sleep related disorders should be individualized to avoid potential side effects. Several studies evaluated the role of melatonin, because this hormone has effects on core body temperature & insomnia. But the exact dosage and the effects of long-term use of melatonin are unclear. So, caution is indicated in melatonin administration.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1263-1272
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• 1999

This study was alone to identify the meaning and the essence of the menopause experience by means of the Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. The participants were eight women, 48-60 years old, who were experiencing perimenopause or postmenopause. They were selected using a theoretical sampling technique. Data were collected through in-depth interviews from April 6 to May 20, 1999. The interviews took from 40 to 90 minutes. Interviews were tape- recorded and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Significant statements from data were extracted. From these formulated meanings, 18 themes, 8 clusters of themes and 3 catagories were constructed. Final descriptions were found to be valid through the interviewee validation process. Essential themes of the menopausal experience which emerged were “coming of change”, “inclined to deny the in mind”, and “adapted life”. Menopause, as coming of change was the turning point in the women’s life cycle acompaning changes, in body and mind and marital life changes. Especially, the unpredictable menopausal changes were an opportunity to hide the fact of menopause and not to talk with anybody. Such a phenomenon reflected on the psychological attributes of menopausal woman such as an inclination to deny in the mind. Their experiences of menopause as adapted life were generally regarded as signalling the end of fertility and were interpreted as a natural developmental process that indicates a life transition. In conclusion, participants depicted the menopause as a natural stage in the life cycle. In order to help women have a positive life change and self accomplishment, nurses need to understand the essential themes of the menopausal experience. Thus, the importance of an open approach in eliciting the phenomena of menopause cannot be overemphasized. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that exercise program is one of the effective interventions to improve the self-efficacy and also to lower the fatigue in the sample of female college students.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.54-64
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate Heart Rate Variability characteristics of menopausal patients with insomnia. Methods: From March 1, 2014 to June 20, 2017, Heart Rate Variability was measured in 102 menopausal patients who visited Cheonan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University. We compared accompanying symptoms and Heart Rate Variability values depending on sleep quality in menopausal women. Results: The accompanying symptoms of menopausal patients were as follows: hot flushes (45.1%), tiredness (25.49%), chest discomfort and palpitations (23.53%), headache (17.65%), arthralgia and muscular pain (17.65%), cold sensitivity of hands and feet (15.69%), urinary frequency (14.71%) and anxiety (10.78%). The frequency of chest discomfort and palpitation was significantly higher in the menopausal insomnia group than in normal sleep group. Comparing Heart Rate Variability between two groups, Standard deviation of the NN interval (SDNN), Total Power (TP), and Low Frequency (LF) values were significantly lower in insomnia group. Conclusions: Chest discomfort and palpitations were more frequent in insomnia patients in menopausal women than normal sleep group, and Standard deviation of the NN interval (SDNN), Total Power (TP), Low Frequency (LF) were significantly lower in HRV values.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.82-93
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to explore attitude and belief about menopause and severity of menopausal symptoms according to menopausal status. This study conducted a cross-sectional assessment of the effects of depressive symptoms and the severity of trait anxiety on the severity of menopausal symptoms. Methods : Participants were all outpatients at the psychiatric outpatient clinic of Korea University Guro Hospital. All participants, aged 40 to 64, had depressive or anxiety disorders and were divided into the premenopause, perimenopause, premenopause, and postmenopause groups. Menopause Rating Scale(MRS) was used to measure the severity of menopausal symptoms. The attitude toward menopause was examined by a self-report questionnaire regarding menopause. Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI) were used to assess depressive symptoms and anxiety. Results : The severity of menopausal symptoms was not different among the groups according to menopausal status. There was a significant correlation between a negative attitude toward menopause and the severity of menopausal symptoms. Patients with moderate to severe depressive symptoms and trait anxiety had more severe menopausal symptoms. Conclusion : Negative attitude toward menopause, depressive symptoms, and anxiety had a significantly negative impact on the severity of menopausal symptoms. The results of this study suggest that treatment to relieve depressive symptoms and anxiety and intervention to reduce negative attitude toward menopause are required. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to evaluate potentially effects of depressive symptoms and anxiety on severity of menopausal symptoms in middle-aged female psychiatric patients.