In this edition
- Later menopause and the greater risk for asthma
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) discontinuation and shortages November 2024
- Oral Health and Menopause: Exploring the Views and Practices of General Practitioners and Practice Nurses
Health Professionals - join AMS for Members-only content
- Menopause Matters
- IMS Webinar - Recommendations on Cardiovascular Risk Assessment: webinar available
- European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) Newsletter
- Missed Out on the 19th World Congress on Menopause? Join IMS2024 On Demand!
In this edition
Later menopause and the greater risk for asthma
Many studies suggest that an earlier age at menopause is more detrimental to a woman’s health, leading to an increased risk for adverse health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression, among others. However, a new Canadian study is linking a later age at natural menopause with a greater risk for asthma.
Asthma is a common, chronic disease affecting more than 300 million people worldwide. The prevalence of asthma has been increasing over recent years, creating a substantial economic impact because it is one of the highest diseases for healthcare use. Adult-onset asthma is typically more severe and more difficult to treat than childhood asthma.
Multiple studies have suggested a possible link between asthma and sex hormones. Most notable is the fact that adult-onset asthma is more common in women than men. In childhood, asthma is more prevalent in boys. After puberty, however, asthma occurs more often in girls. Women also tend to have more severe asthma and are less likely to have remission of the disease.
Some studies have found a peak incidence of asthma at around age 40 years, which is commonly the age of the menopause transition, whereas other studies found a peak at the average age at menopause, which is 51 years. Both natural oestrogen and synthetic oestrogen, such as used in hormone therapy, offer similar risk profiles. Women using hormone therapy were shown to have a 63% increased risk of asthma, whereas women who stopped hormone therapy were two times more likely to quit asthma treatment. Higher body mass index also is shown to be a risk factor for women, but not men, because fat produces oestrogen.
Unfortunately, research on the association between menopause and asthma incidence is limited and has yielded conflicting results. That is why this newest study, based on 10 years of follow-up data from more than 14,000 postmenopausal women, was designed to investigate the association between the age at natural menopause and incidence of asthma in nonsmoking postmenopausal women. The study researchers found that women with early menopause (which occurs between 40 and 44 years of age) are at a reduced risk of asthma, which led them to suggest a role of oestrogen with asthma risk.
Read more here
Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) discontinuation and shortages November 2024
Australia
Patch Shortages
There are a number of MHTs that are currently unavailable. Please note that the TGA has approved some unregistered products under Section 19A and some substitute doses are currently in supply in Australia. Pharmacists are encouraged to contact suppliers Medsurge Healthcare Pty Ltd on 1300 788 261 for orders of Estramon and Sandoz on 1800 726 369 for orders of Estradiol Transdermal System.
Oestradiol patches
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Expected supply due
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Alternative supply under Section 19A
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|
Dose
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Estradot
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Estraderm
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Estramon
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Estradiol Transdermal System
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25 mcg
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31 Dec 2024
|
5 Dec 2024
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Available
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|
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37.5 mcg
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30 Jun 2025
|
|
Available
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Available
|
|
50 mcg
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31 Jan 2025
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5 Dec 2024
|
Available
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Unavailable
|
|
75 mcg
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31 Jan 2025
|
5 Dec 2024
|
Available
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Unavailable
|
|
100 mcg
|
31 Dec 2024
|
5 Dec 2024
|
Available
|
Available
|
Combined patches
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Dose
|
Estalis Sequi
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Estalis Conti
|
|
50/140
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Available
|
Available
|
|
50/250
|
Available
|
Available
|
All doses of Climara have been deleted from the market and there will be a reduction in supply until supply is exhausted.
The AMS Guide to MHT Doses (Australia only) provides a guideline to approximately equivalent doses of the different MHT/HRT products in Australia.
New Zealand
As at 21st November 2024, patch availability is provided below.
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Dose
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Estradot
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Viatris
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Estraderm MX
|
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25mcg
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Low
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Available
|
Available
|
|
50mcg
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Low
|
Available
|
|
|
75mcg
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Low
|
Available
|
|
|
100mcg
|
Low
|
Available
|
|
More information can be found here
The AMS Guide to MHT Doses (New Zealand only) provides a guideline to approximately equivalent doses of the different MHT/HRT products in New Zealand.
Oral Health and Menopause: Exploring the Views and Practices of General Practitioners and Practice Nurses
About the study
Women are at higher risk of developing oral health problems during menopause. These oral health problems can significantly affect their quality of life. Studies have shown that healthcare providers can play a key role in addressing the oral health needs of women in perimenopause or menopause. However, very little is known about the current perceptions and practices of healthcare providers like General practitioners/Practice nurses for the management of oral health for women in perimenopause/menopause.
We invite you to participate in our study (interview) which aims to explore your experience regarding oral healthcare and identify challenges in this area. The information you provide will help us identify future strategies and services that could improve oral healthcare for women in perimenopause or menopause. Participation will involve a 20–30-minute interview. The interview will be conducted at a time convenient for you using either phone, online platforms like zoom, or face-to-face. Participation is voluntary and the information you provide will be strictly confidential. You will be reimbursed for your time participating in an interview.
Researchers
Australian Centre for Integration of Oral Health (ACIOH), Western Sydney University.
Ethics approval
This study has been approved by the Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee. HREC Approval No: H15712
Contact
Namitha Thomas (Chief investigator and PhD student), Tel: +61 2 8738 9367,
Email: 20628260@student.westernsydney.edu.au
Please click here to register your interest : https://t.ly/3CoPJ
Health Professionals - join AMS for Members-only content
Menopause Matters: Professor Athol Kent has reviewes and comments on recent journal articles.
IMS Webinar - Recommendations on Cardiovascular Risk Assessment: webinar available
European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) Newsletter AMS is an affiliate of EMAS. See latest copy.
