• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

New Educational Supplement From The North American Menopause Society Addresses Surgical Menopause

Posted on: Monday, 14 May 2007, 09:00 CDT

A comprehensive review has been released by The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) as a special educational supplement to its official journal Menopause to meet the need for current information on the short- and long-term physical and emotional consequences of surgical menopause.

Surgical removal of both ovaries in a woman who has not yet experienced spontaneous menopause results in surgical menopause. It is estimated that more than one fourth of American women will undergo this procedure, regardless of whether the reason is a disease of the ovaries (eg, ovarian cancer) or avoiding the potential of ovarian disease by removing healthy ovaries at the time of hysterectomy (ie, removal of the uterus).

"Many women are faced with the decision of whether to remove their ovaries during hysterectomy or have the doctor leave them in and wait for a natural menopause," said Robert A. Wild, MD, PhD, MPH, Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology, Adjunct Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, and Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, who served as Guest Editor of the supplement. "Other important questions relate to the use of estrogen therapy after surgical menopause. Unfortunately, there is relatively little research to provide definitive recommendations."

Spontaneous menopause is associated not only with short-term symptoms, such as hot flashes, but also increased risk of disease (eg, osteoporosis) later in life. With surgical menopause, the abrupt cessation of ovarian hormones, including estrogen, typically results in more severe symptoms and, in some studies, earlier onset of osteoporosis and coronary heart disease.

"With this supplement," explained Dr. Wild, "we have assembled 14 leading authorities to assist healthcare providers in guiding women who are contemplating surgical menopause or following surgical menopause to make optimal choices."

This educational supplement, designated a continuing medical education activity by NAMS, has been developed according to the policies established in 2004 by the Menopause Editorial Board and the NAMS Board of Trustees. Publication standards are as strict as with any regular issue of the Journal, including the same peer-review process. NAMS appreciates the efforts of the authors and the educational grant from Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The Mission of NAMS, a nonprofit scientific organization, is to promote the health and quality of life of women through an understanding of menopause. The Society's membership of 2,000 professionals representing a variety of disciplines--including clinical and basic science experts from medicine, nursing, pharmacy, anthropology, sociology, psychology, and complementary/alternative medicine--makes NAMS uniquely qualified to serve as the definitive resource for health professionals and the public for accurate, unbiased information about menopause. (www.menopause.org)

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category