High blood pressure during pregnancy may mean worse hot flashes during menopause

Date:
August 19, 2020
Source:
Mayo Clinic
Summary:
Women with a history of high blood pressure disorders during
pregnancy are more likely to experience bothersome menopausal
symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, according to a
new study.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Women with a history of high blood pressure disorders during pregnancy
are more likely to experience bothersome menopausal symptoms such as
hot flashes and night sweats, according to a study published Wednesday,
Aug. 19, in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause
Society.


==========================================================================
"We already know that women with high blood pressure during pregnancy or
those who experience menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night
sweats have a higher risk of developing heart disease. Our research
discovered that women who experienced high blood pressure during pregnancy
were much more likely to experience bothersome menopausal symptoms,
including hot flashes and night sweats during menopause," says Stephanie Faubion, M.D., the study's lead author. Dr. Faubion is the Penny and
Bill George Director for Mayo Clinic's Center for Women's Health.

Researchers analyzed the medical records of 2,684 women ages 40 to 65
who were seen for specialty menopause or sexual health consultations at
women's health clinics at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Mayo
Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, between May 2015 and September 2019. All
study participants completed a questionnaire in which they self-reported
their menopause symptoms and effects of these symptoms on their quality
of life. Study participants also completed questionnaires that documented whether they experienced high blood pressure disorders during pregnancy,
such as preeclampsia or gestational hypertension.

Researchers discovered a significant association between women with a
history of high blood pressure disorders during pregnancy who reported
more bothersome menopausal symptoms. Women with this high blood pressure history using hormone therapy also reported more menopausal symptoms,
compared to women with no history of high blood pressure disorders
during pregnancy.

Dr. Faubion says more research is needed to understand why there is a
link between high blood pressure disorders during pregnancy and more
severe menopausal symptoms. But one thing is clear: Physicians need to
do a better job monitoring women who experience high blood pressuring
during pregnancy after they give birth.

"We know medical providers have historically done a lousy job identifying
and following women with histories of high blood pressure disorders during pregnancy, despite knowing that they have a higher heart disease risk,"
says Dr. Faubion. "This study is another reminder that these women are different. It is important that they not only receive education with
regard to what they may experience during menopause, but also that they
undergo routine screenings and counseling on how they can reduce their
risk for heart disease."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Mayo_Clinic. Original written by
Heather Carlson Kehren.

Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Stephanie S. Faubion, Amanda King, Andrea G. Kattah, Carol L. Kuhle,
Richa Sood, Juliana M. Kling, Kristin C. Mara, Ekta
Kapoor. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and menopausal
symptoms. Menopause, 2020; Publish Ahead of Print DOI:
10.1097/GME.0000000000001638 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200819085002.htm

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