Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nutritional Management of Menopausal Women

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Menopause

Abstract

The term “menopause” comes from the ancient Greek words “meno” (month) and “pause” (stop) and thus it indicates literally the date of last menstrual bleeding because of decreased estrogen and loss of ovulation. The absence of menses for 12 months is used as the definition of “natural” menopause that occurs from late 30s to late 50s, most women entering in the menopausal period between ages 48 and 55 years [1]. The most common symptoms of menopause are hot flashes or flushes, night sweats and trouble sleeping reported by 60%, 48%, and 41% of the women respectively [2]. Women undergoing hysterectomy and ovariectomy experience surgical menopause often associated with quick onset of vasomotor symptoms. Chemotherapy and radiation for cancer can also induce a rapid onset of menopausal symptoms: approximately 30% of women under 35 years of age experience ovarian failure after chemotherapy with increase in the proportion of ovarian failure related to the age of chemotherapy up to 75–90% for women over 40 years of age [3]. As age, the dosage of chemotherapy is a major predictor of premature menopause. Treatment of menopausal symptoms in this group is more difficult complex because of concomitant treatments for cancer and the associated risk related to cancer as well as the abrupt onset of symptoms. Nutrition plays an essential role in menopausal women both in limiting clinical complaints, such as vasomotor symptoms and hair loss and in preventing more serious diseases such osteoporosis (discussed in other chapters of this book) and overweight/obesity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Wylie-Rosett J. Menopause, micronutrients, and hormone therapy. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 May;81(5):1223S–31S.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Keenan NL, Mark S, Fugh-Berman A, Browne D, Laczmarczyk J, Hunter C. Severity of menopausal symptoms and use of both conventional and complementary alternatives. Menopause. 2003;10:507–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Overlie I, Moen MH, Holte A, Finset A. Androgens and estrogens in relation to flushes during the menopause transition. Maturitas. 2002;41:69–77.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Munro HN. Aging. In: Kinney JM, Jeejeebhoy KN, Hill GL, Owen OE, editors. Nutrition and metabolism in patient care. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1988. p. 145–66.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Guo SS, Zeller C, Chumlea WC, et al. Aging, body composition, and lifestyle: the Fels Longitudinal Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;70:405–11.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Heaney RP. Calcium needs of the elderly to reduce fracture risk. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001;20(suppl):192S–7S.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Culhan EG, Jimenez HA, King CE. Thoracic kyphosis, rib mobility, and lung volumes in normal women and women with osteoporosis. Spine. 1994;19:1250–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Melton LJ III. Adverse outcomes of osteoporotic fractures in the general population. J Bone Miner Res. 2003;18:1139–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Roubenoff R. The pathophysiology of wasting in the elderly. J Nutr. 1999;129(suppl):256S–9S.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Weissel M. Disturbances of thyroid function in the elderly. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2006;118:16–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Roberts SB, Dallal GE. Energy requirements and aging. Public Health Nutr. 2005;8:1028–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Troiano RP, Frongillo EA, Sobol J, Levitsky DA. The relationship between body weight and mortality: a quantitative analysis of combined information from existing studies. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1996;20:63–75.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. McTigue KM, Hess R, Ziouras J. Obesity in older adults: a systematic review of the evidence for diagnosis and treatment. Obesity. 2006;14:1485–97.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Rivlin RS. Keeping the young-elderly healthy: is it too late to improve our health through nutrition? Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;86:1572S–6S.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Flegal KM, Graubard BI, Williamson DF, Gail MH. Excess deaths associated with underweight, overweight and obesity. JAMA. 2005;293:1861–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Philp HA. Hot flashes—a review of the literature on alternative and complementary treatment approaches. Altern Med Rev. 2003;8:284–302.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Barton DL, Loprinzi CL, Quella SK, et al. Prospective evaluation of vitamin E for hot flashes in breast cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol. 1998;16:495–500.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Kronenberg F, Fugh-Berman A. Complementary and alternative medicine for menopausal symptoms: a review of randomized controlled, trials. Ann Intern Med. 2002;137:805–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Blumenthal M. The use of black cohosh to treat symptoms of menopause. Sex Reprod Menopause. 2004;2:27–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Kennelly EJ, Baggett S, Nuntanakorn P, et al. Analysis of thirteen populations of black cohosh for formononetin. Phytomedicine. 2002;9:461–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Nabaie L, Kavand S, Robati N, et al. Androgenic alopecia and insulin resistance: are they realy related? Clin Exp Dermatol. 2009;34:694–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Huntley AL, Ernst E. A systematic review of herbal medicine products for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Menopause. 2003;10:465–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Izzo AA, Hoon-Kim S, Radhakrishnan R, Williamson EM. A critical approach to evaluating clinical efficacy, adverse events and drug interactions of herbal remedies. Phytother Res. 2016;30:691–700.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Dailey RK, Neale AV, Northrup J, West P, Schwartz KL. Herbal product use and menopause symptom relief in primary care patients: a MetroNet study. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2003;12:633–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Aidelsburger P, Schauer S, Grabein K, Wasem J. Alternative methods for the treatment of post-menopausal troubles. GMS Health Technol Assess. 2012;8:Doc03.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. North American Menopause Society. Treatment of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: position statement of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2004;11:11–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Herskovitz I, Tosti A. Female pattern hair loss. Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2013;11:e9860.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Goluch-Koniuszy ZS. Nutrition of women with hair loss problem during the period of menopause. Prz Menopauzalny. 2016;15:56–61.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Jen M, Yan AC. Syndromes associated with nutritional deficiency and excess. Clin Dermatol. 2010;28:669–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. D’Agostini F, Fiallo P, Pennisi TM, De Flora S. Chemoprevention of smoke-induced alopecia in mice by oral administration of L-cystine and vitamin B6. J Dermatol Sci. 2007;46:189–98.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Rushton DH, Norris MJ, Dover R, Busuttil N. Causes of hair loss and the developments in hair rejuvenation. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2002;24:17–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Pappas A. Epidermal surface lipids. Dermatoendocrinol. 2009;1:72–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. James MJ, Gibson RA, Cleland LG. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory mediator production. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71(1 suppl):343S–8S.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Matilainen V, Laakso M, Hirsso P, et al. Hair loss, insulin resistance, and heredity in middle-aged women. A population-based study. J Cardiovasc Risk. 2003;10:227–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Saulle R, Semyonov L, La Torre G. Cost and cost-effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet: results of a systematic review. Forum Nutr. 2013;5:4566–86.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Wagner K-H, Kamal-Eldin A, Elmadfa I. Gamma-tocopherol—an underestimated vitamin? Ann Nutr Metab. 2004;48(3):169–88.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Jiang Q, Christen S, Shigenaga MK, Ames BN. Gamma-tocopherol, the major form of vitamin E in the US diet, deserves more attention. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;74(6):714–22. PMID 11722951

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Gropper S, Smith J. Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. Belmont: Cengage Learning; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  39. University of Bristol. Biotin. 2012. Accessed 17 Sep 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  40. National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Chapter 8—Folate. In:Dietary reference intakes for thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin and choline. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Chen AC, Damian DL. Nicotinamide and the skin. Aust J Dermatol. 2014;55(3):169–75. PMID 24635573.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Vitamin A. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, US National Institutes of Health. Accessed 2 Dec 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Norman AW. From vitamin D to hormone D: fundamentals of the vitamin D endocrine system essential for good health. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;88(2):491S–9S.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Said HM. Cell and molecular aspects of human intestinal biotin absorption. J Nutr. 2009;139:158–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  45. Muscogiuri G, Mitri J, Mathieu C, Badenhoop K, Tamer G, Orio F, Mezza T, Vieth R, Colao A, Pittas A. Mechanisms in endocrinology: vitamin D as a potential contributor in endocrine health and disease. Eur J Endocrinol. 2014;171:R101–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Bolland MJ, Ames RW, Grey AB, et al. Does degree of baldness influence vitamin D status? Med J Aust. 2008;189:674–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Trost LB, Bergfeld WF, Calogeras E, et al. The diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency and its potential relationship to hair loss. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54:824–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Driscoll MS, Kwon EK, Skupsky H, et al. Nutrition and the deleterious side effects of nutritional supplements. Clin Dermatol. 2010;28:371–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Fairweather-Tait SJ, Bao Y, Broadley MR, et al. Selenium in human health and disease. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2011;14:1337–83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Kacalak-Rzepka A, Bielecka-Grzela S, Klimowicz A, et al. Dry skin as a dermatological and cosmetic problem. Ann Acad Med Stetin. 2008;54:54–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Barrea L, Balato N, Di Somma C, Macchia PE, Napolitano M, Savanelli MC, Esposito K, Colao A, Savastano S. Nutrition and psoriasis: is there any association between the severity of the disease and adherence to the Mediterranean diet? J Transl Med. 2015;13:18.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  52. WHO Country profiles on nutrition, physical activity and obesity in the 53 WHO European Region Member States. 2013. http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/obesity/publications/2013/country-profiles-on-nutrition,-physical-activity-and-obesity-in-the-53-who-european-region-member-states.-methodology-and-summary-2013.

  53. ISS Osservasalute. 2013. http://www.epicentro.iss.it.

  54. Jull J, Stacey D, Beach S, Dumas A, et al. Lifestyle interventions targeting body weight changes during the menopause transition: a systematic review. J Obes. 2014;2014:824310.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  55. Lovejoy JC, Champagne CM, De Jonge L, Xie H, Smith SR. Increased visceral fat and decreased energy expenditure during the menopausal transition. Int J Obes. 2008;32:949–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Lovejoy JC. Weight gain in women at midlife: the influence of menopause. Obes Manag. 2009;5:52–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Agency for Healthcare Research Quality. http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=33134&search=obesity.

  58. Simkin-Silverman LR, Wing RR, Boraz MA, Kuller LH. Lifestyle intervention can prevent weight gain during menopause: results from a 5-year randomized clinical trial. Ann Behav Med. 2003;26(3):212–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Ogwumike OO, Arowojolu AO, Sanya AO. Effects of a 12-week endurance program on adiposity and flexibility of Nigerian perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Niger J Physiol Sci. 2011;26:199–206.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Hagner W, Hagner-Derengowska M, Wiacek M, Zubrzycki IZ. Changes in level of VO2max, blood lipids, and waist circumference in the response to moderate endurance training as a function of ovarian aging. Menopause. 2009;16:1009–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Giugliano D, Esposito K. Mediterranean diet and metabolic diseases. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2008;19:63–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Méndez MA, Popkin BM, Jakszyn P, Berenguer A, Tormo MJ, Sánchez MJ, et al. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced 3-year incidence of obesity. J Nutr. 2006;136(11):2934–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Goulet J, Lapointe A, Lamarche B, Lemieux S. Effect of a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern on anthropometric profile in healthy women from the Québec city metropolitan area. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007;61(11):1293–300.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Section of Endocrinology, University Federico II of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Annamaria Colao M.D., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Annamaria Colao M.D., Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Annamaria Colao M.D., Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain

    Antonio Cano

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Colao, A. (2017). Nutritional Management of Menopausal Women. In: Cano, A. (eds) Menopause. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59318-0_18

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59318-0_18

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-59317-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-59318-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation