Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M S Hunter

Publications and source records attributed to M S Hunter.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

A psychological analysis of menopausal hot flushes.

Hot flushes and night sweats are one of the main symptoms accompanying the menopause, and are a main reason for seeking medical help at this time. This study of 61 women (reporting hot flushes once a week or more) investigates dimensions of subjective reporting using open questions and rating scales. Two separate factors were delineated using a principal component factor analysis - frequency (of hot flushes and night sweats) and problem ratings (of distress, interference and perception of flushes as problematic) - which had high test-retest reliability. The frequency ratings correlated highly with prospective daily monitoring. Depressed mood, anxiety and low self-esteem, but not frequency, discriminated between those who regarded flushes as problematic and those who did not. It is suggested that these two subjective measures should be used in assessment and in evaluation of hormonal and psychological interventions.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Determinants of treatment choice for menopausal hot flushes: hormonal versus psychological versus no treatment.

Sixty-one women, reporting hot flushes once a week or more frequently, completed questionnaires eliciting information about demographic details, health, mood and health beliefs. They were interviewed and asked to choose between no treatment, hormone treatment (HRT), psychological treatment (cognitive-relaxation therapy (CRT) and no preference for either CRT or HRT. Seventy-five per cent wanted treatment, with approximately 40% of these women preferring HRT and 60% CRT. Women who wanted treatment for hot flushes were significantly more anxious, coped less well with stress, had lower internal locus of control scores and lower self-esteem, compared with those not seeking treatment. Hot flush frequency was the same for both groups, but those wanting treatment viewed flushes as being more problematic. Few differences emerged between those preferring hormonal or psychological treatment. However, particular reasons were given based upon past experience, views about medication and practical considerations. This study highlights the need for the development of alternative treatment regimens for women seeking help for menopausal problems.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Intentions to use hormone replacement therapy in a community sample of 45-year-old women.

A sample of 45-year-old women from 5 general practices in South London were asked about their intentions to use hormone replacement therapy by postal questionnaire. One hundred and six women (60%) responded. Ninety women who were not taking HRT formed the study sample. Over 80% expressed an opinion when asked about future HRT use. Forty-four percent expressed an intention to use HRT, 42% expressed an intention not to, and 13% expressed a lack of knowledge on which to base a decision. Reasons given by intenders were based on general hopes to 'feel better' among others. Non-intenders gave reasons reflecting disinclination to use drugs and to interfere with a normal process, as well as concerns about side-effects. The characteristics of intenders and non-intenders were compared. There were no significant differences between groups in socio-demographic variables, or in general and gynaecological health factors. However, HRT intenders reported significantly lower self-esteem, higher levels of depressed mood, anxiety, and negative attitudes to the menopause. They also expressed stronger beliefs in their doctors' ability-as opposed to their own- to control their menopause experience. These results suggest that some women might be seeking HRT at menopause to help alleviate pre-existing emotional difficulties and this may have important implications for treatment adherence.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1994

Beliefs about menopause of general practitioners and mid-aged women.

Recent general population studies suggest that experience of the normal menopause transition is relatively unremarkable for the majority of women, but negative stereotyped beliefs about menopause remain pervasive. This study explored GPs' beliefs and opinions about menopause in general, and compared the GPs' beliefs with those of their mid-aged female patients. All GPs at five general practices (n = 24) and 101 45-year-old women registered at the same practices took part. Large proportions of both groups believed that most women experience somatic and psychological difficulties during menopause. GPs expressed more negative beliefs than patients but were also more likely to express positive/neutral beliefs. Some causal attributions of menopausal problems were shared by the two groups, but they differed on others. When both GPs and patients hold negative social stereotypes about menopause, problems of mid-aged women may be misattributed to menopause. Health information on menopause may be biased towards negative images of menopause and of aging women.

Aging↗
PubMed1994

Gynaecology.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Female↗
PubMed1993

Predictors of menopausal symptoms: psychosocial aspects.

The most relevant factors influencing a woman's quality of life during the menopausal transition appear to be her previous emotional and physical health, her social situation, her experience of stressful life events (particularly bereavements and separations), as well as her beliefs about the menopause. Specific predictors of vasomotor symptoms include surgical menopause and possibly current cigarette smoking. The role of stress, past menstrual problems and reports of hot flushes earlier in life as predictors requires further study. There are considerable cultural differences in the reporting of vasomotor symptoms which may be explained by the meaning ascribed to them and the value of older women in societies, as well as possible dietary, lifestyle and genetic differences. Those who seek medical help for menopausal problems tend to report more physical and psychological problems in general. They are more likely to be under stress and to hold particular beliefs about the menopause. These personal and social issues need to be addressed in their own right and should not be automatically attributed to the menopause. Clinical psychologists and counsellors, ideally working as part of the team, can help women and couples to clarify the nature of the problems and to help them to explore solutions. In contrast to childbirth, preparation for the menopause has been neglected in the development of services, as well as in research (Notelovitz, 1988; Hunter, 1990c). The studies reviewed here do suggest some pointers for health promotion; these are being evaluated in a current study by Hunter and Liao and can be summarized as follows: 1. Providing balanced information about the menopause, to women and their families. 2. Discussion of attitudes towards the menopause, with reassurance of overly pessimistic beliefs. 3. Health promotion sessions focusing upon diet, exercise and smoking (factors which are associated with general health and the development of osteoporosis). 4. Stress management sessions. 5. Group discussion of personal, health and social issues met by women during midlife.

Climacteric↗
PubMed1990

Emotional well-being, sexual behaviour and hormone replacement therapy.

Improvements in the design of epidemiological studies of the climacteric and postmenopause have been made in the past 25 years. But more complex theoretical models are necessary if we are to give due emphasis to the influence of psychological, social, cultural and hormonal factors and their interactions. The majority of studies show that emotional problems are not more prevalent during the climacteric and postmenopause and that psychosocial factors, such as stressful life-events, are more likely causes of emotional distress during mid-life. Vaginal dryness increases in postmenopausal women but there are varied reasons for changes in other aspects of sexual behaviour which require further research. While estrogen may have a "mental tonic" effect when prescribed in high doses, HRT does not appear to have a significant effect upon mood or sexual behaviour over and above placebo effects and the relief from vasomotor and vaginal symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychological and somatic experience of the menopause: a prospective study [corrected].

This study investigates the nature of psychological and somatic symptoms experienced during the menopause and attempts to predict individual differences using a prospective design. Thirty-six women, who were premenopausal during an initial investigation, became peri- or postmenopausal three years later. The Women's Health Questionnaire, developed specifically for this population, was used to assess general health, beliefs, psychosocial factors, and current symptoms. As expected, vasomotor symptoms were more prevalent in peri- and postmenopausal women. However, significant but small increases in depressed mood were also evident. The results of a stepwise regression analysis indicated that past depression together with cognitive and social factors accounted for 51 per cent of the variance in depressed mood reported by menopausal women. The clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.

Arousal↗