https://researchopenworld.com/effects-of-menopause-hormone-replacement-therapy-and-aging-on-the-health-in-asian-women/#

Abstract

The cross-sectional study examined whether menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can and how they modify the aging process in Asian women. Methods: All women answered a questionnaire on their medical history, exercise regime, sexual functions, sleep hygiene, general well-being and menopausal and HRT status. Serum biochemical and hormones, blood pressures, handgrip strength and forced expiratory capacity were measured. Cognitive functions were monitored, and bone and body composition were evaluated using the dual energy absorptiometry (DXA). Results: The results showed that aging affected many health compartments starting mainly in the 6 th decade. Aging affects the cognitive functions, body form, physical and general well-being, metabolic and cardiovascular risk, bone health and the incidence of both general and abdominal obesity. The onset of menopause further aggravated the poor bone health, strength and higher body fat due to age alone. These ill effects in postmenopausal women not having HRT were negated by either estrogen alone or estrogen/progestin HRT. However, estrogen alone HRT was associated with significantly lower IGF1 and BP3 and higher incidence of abdominal obesity than by age alone. The combined estrogen/progestin HRT, on the other hand was associated with lower levels of HDL. Conclusion: Aging affects most health compartments by the 5 th and 6 th decades. The onset of menopause further aggravated the ill effects of aging on bone health. While HRT could negate the ill effects of menopause, HRT may have other adverse effects on