Non-hormonal correction of menopausal syndrome: potential of xenon therapy

The menopausal syndrome is associated with a combination of neuropsychic, autonomic, vascular, and metabolic disorders. Sex steroids regulate neurotransmitter metabolism, activate neuronal plasticity, improve cerebral blood flow, maintain a stable mood, and have an antidepressant effect. In Russia, only 1% of women use menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The reason for the low adherence to MHT is avoidance of using hormones because of the possible risks of cancer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of subnarcotic doses of xenon on the menopausal syndrome signs in patients during the menopausal transition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comparative study including 32 randomly selected female patients with menopausal syndrome during the menopausal transition was conducted. Group 1 (the study treatment group) included 16 patients who refused to use MHT. They received a course of xenon therapy, consisting of 5 procedures every other day. Group 2 (control group) included 16 patients receiving MHT. Menopausal symptoms were assessed using the Greene Menopausal Scale. Psychoemotional status was determined using the Spielberger-Hanin neuropsychological test. Estradiol and progesterone concentrations were measured in a morning saliva sample to determine the steroid profile. The parameters were assessed and compared at baseline and 1 month after the start of therapy. RESULTS: In assessing the severity of the menopausal syndrome in women in both groups, the significantly decreased mean final Green's scale score was observed: from 17.12±3.28 to 6.12±4.34 points in group 1 and from 16.01±4.12 to 4.02±3.12 points in group 2. Also a significant decrease in state and trait anxiety compared with baseline data was demonstrated. In the study treatment group, the trait anxiety score decreased from 53.1 [35.1; 66.0] to 27.2 [25.3; 30.0] points, and in the control group, from 55.6 [38.2; 70.4] to 22.0 [20.2; 25.0] points. Similar change was shown for the state anxiety score in the study groups. A decrease from 40.1 [35.3; 45.0] to 21.0 [23.2; 27.3] points in group 1 and from 46.1 [45.2; 52.0] to 20.1 [16.3; 23.0] points in group 2 was observed. At one month, the significant increase of estradiol (from 1.1 [0.5; 2.1] to 12.2 [10.3; 14.4] pg/mL) and progesterone (from 14.0 [4.4; 20.1] to 100.2 [60.6; 130.0] pg/mL) was observed in the MHT group of patients. No significant changes in hormone levels were recorded in the xenon therapy group. CONCLUSION: The xenon inhalations in subnarcotic doses are an effective method to control the vasomotor and psychoemotional signs and symptoms of the menopausal syndrome in patients who refuse to use MHT or have contraindications to this type of therapy.