Scientific American’s recent article, “The Surprising Biology Behind Menopause’s Worst Symptoms,” credits research by SWAN for providing many insights into the symptoms of menopause.
Various research from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation’s (SWAN) seven-institution based, longitudinal study of multiracial and multiethnic pre- and perimenopausal women since 1996 has helped break down misunderstandings and myths about such symptoms as memory loss, pain during sex, vaginal dryness and depression. The article cites SWAN research showing:
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- That two-thirds of menopausal women have memory complaints.
- It’s a commonly held myth that women need to keep having intercourse to prevent the symptom of pain during sex.
- That poor sleep often brought on by menopause symptoms has been overlooked as a serious cause of cognitive difficulty, cardiovascular disease and anxiety.