AMWA Position Paper

In 2022, AMWA endorsed and adopted the 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society

AMWA Joins HealthyWomen Coalition to Find Solutions for the Healthcare Needs of Women in Midlife

Collaborative Effort Aims to Change How Women Perceive and Experience Aging

AMWA recently joined a working group convened by HealthyWomen, the nation’s leading independent nonprofit health resource for women, and contributed to their new report, “Aging Smart. Aging Well. A National Action Plan.” Based on data in this report, it is critical that we address the unique challenges and needs of women in midlife.

A formal Aging Smart, Aging Well coalition has been formed to ensure collaborative efforts in addressing key emerging themes, including improving access to care and reducing barriers to early intervention, accessible resources, diagnosis and treatment. The coalition will formulate a multiyear roadmap by which to bridge the gaps, build on existing initiatives and advocate for solutions that elevate women’s midlife health and drive a pro-aging message.

Read AMWA’s news story for more information about this collaboration and the Aging Smart. Aging Well. A National Action Plan.

AMWA is a part of the National Association of Nurse Practitioner’s in Women’s Health BOlder Women’s Health Coalition.

“The BOlder Women’s Health Coalition, led by the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH), is an alliance of innovative leaders in women’s health and in the aging community. These leaders come to us from the nonprofit, public, and private sectors and are committed to defining, creating, and promoting a cohesive health agenda for older US women. The Coalition’s aim is to answer the two key questions “What are the health needs of older women?” and “What are the best strategies to meet these needs?” Its work focuses on four established pillars: policy, clinical education, public education, and research.” –Women’s Healthcare

Racial Disparities in Menopause

Data from the 2022 SWAN Study shows that Black women experience earlier menopause and more severe menopause as compared to their counterparts. Therefore, early intervention, screening, and therapeutic management may be indicated for this group.

Sleep and Menopause

• The complex interaction between menopausal changes and sleep disturbance account for a marked increase in sleep complaints in women approaching midlife. In fact, sleep disturbances are very common in older women, affecting >40-60% of peri- or post-menopausal women
• Data suggest that:
  • Women had a 41% greater risk for developing insomnia than men
  • 25% of women between 50 and 64 years of age report sleep problems, and 15% of those report severe sleep disturbance significantly affecting their quality of life
  • 31-42% of women may develop chronic insomnia by the end of their transition into menopause
• The factors that affect sleep at a woman’s perimenopausal transition include changing hormone levels–decreased estrogen and increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone and testosterone– as well as physiological and mental health changes occurring as a consequence of the shifting hormonal milieu. Women are at increased risk for sleep disturbances–insomnia, poor sleep quality and sleep deprivation, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome–during times of hormonal change. Both aging and hormonal changes independently influence sleep architecture. 
• Nocturnal melatonin secretion decreases with age, but also specifically decreases with the onset of menopause
• Women may experience vasomotor symptoms such as skin and temperature changes, in addition to mood disorders, circadian rhythm abnormalities, and altered lifestyle and metabolic factors that play a role in disordered sleep.
• These changes and conditions that occur as a consequence of, or in concert with menopause may exacerbate age-related sleep architectural changes that may be due to the decline in melatonin that accompanies aging and menopause onset
• In addition, mood symptoms such as depression and anxiety occur more frequently in women than men, and often occur in concert with sleep problems in peri- and postmenopausal women.
• Finally, there are many medical disorders that may cause or exacerbate sleep difficulties. 
• Chronic pain conditions and other chronic conditions, as well as physical disorders such as restless legs syndrome (RLS) or periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) may coincide with menopause and can aggravate preexisting sleep problems associated with these conditions.
• Randomized controlled trials examining the impact of hormone therapy (HT) on sleep demonstrate improved sleep quality and quantity with improved total sleep time and REM sleep, as well as decreased wakefulness
• The National Institute on Aging suggests the following lifestyle changes to improve sleep in perimenopausal women:
  • Adopt a regular sleep schedule and regular bedtime routine
  • Avoid napping, especially in the late afternoon / evening
  • Maintain a comfortable bedroom temperature
  • Exercise regularly, but not close to bedtime
  • Avoid caffeine and large meals close to bedtime

Upcoming Events

Keep checking in about future events.

Past Events

Menopause Matters: A Discussion – Oct. 24, 2020