Substance Use Linked to Increased Menopausal Symptoms in Women With and Without HIV: Study

Results

• Participating women represented all three reproductive stages: early perimenopausal, late perimenopausal, and postmenopausal.

• By stage, the frequency of vasomotor symptoms ranged between 22% and 43%, mood symptoms from 18% to 28%, and musculoskeletal symptoms between 25% and 34%.

• The prevalence of substance use was high, with 72% reporting lifetime tobacco use, 75% heavy alcohol use, 73% marijuana use, 50% crack use, and 31% opioid use.

• Current heavy alcohol use was associated with a 22% increased odds of frequent vasomotor symptoms (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.10‐1.37).

• Cumulative marijuana use was related to a 15% increased odds (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.32), and cumulative tobacco use was associated with a 6% increased odds (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.12).

• The likelihood of mood symptoms was 20% higher for current heavy use of alcohol (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04‐1.39).

• In the same way, current opioid use produced a 13% higher likelihood (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.25).

• In the case of current opioid use, the odds of musculoskeletal symptoms were raised by 11% (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.00‐1.23).

Findings indicate both current and cumulative effects of substance use on the frequency of menopausal symptoms. The strong relationships between substance use and such symptoms as disturbances in vasomotor functioning, mood changes, and musculoskeletal pain point to the importance of obtaining a substance use history in the treatment of menopausal symptoms, particularly in women who have a history of heavy or chronic use.

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