Drinking coffee at the onset of menopause may be beneficial to women dealing with perimenopause symptoms, by boosting memory and mood, but drinking caffeine during menopause may not be very helpful.
Coffee, and other caffeinated drinks, could make night flashes and night sweats worse, according to a new study.
Hot flashes affect 79 percent of perimenopause women and 65 percent of women who have already gone through menopause, according to the study
"While these findings are preliminary, our study suggests that limiting caffeine intake may be useful for those postmenopausal women who have bothersome hot flashes and night sweats," said researcher Dr. Stephanie Faubion, who is director of the Women's Health Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
The research results, published in the journal Menopause, included a survey of 1,800 menopausal women that was done between 2005 and 2011, on the effects of drinking caffeine before and during menopause and measured symptom ratings.
"Menopause symptoms can be challenging, but there are many management strategies to try," Faubion said.
One approach researchers advise is paying greater attention to diet, says Faubion, and being much more aware of spice in food and intake of hot drinks, as well as curtailing alcohol and tobacco. The researchers say women approaching menopause or in menopause need to pay attention to their lifestyle habits and boost overall activity as well as stress-reducing activities, such as yoga and meditation.
In a related study also released last week, new research findings reveal exercise can help prevent cognitive weakness that may occur after menopause.
The research, conducted by the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation of the Queensland University of Technology in Kelvin Grove, Australia, claims being active can help both the body and a woman's mind and keep a brain healthy.
As Tech Times reported in May, previous research has revealed early onset of menopause may create some health issues for women, as well, including memory problems. Women who enter menopause before the age of 40 are more likely to have issues with verbal fluency and memory, according to the study.
