DOI: 10.31038/AWHC.2019216

Abstract

The cross-sectional study examined whether menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can and how they modify the aging process in Asian women.

Methods: All women answered a questionnaire on their medical history, exercise regime, sexual functions, sleep hygiene, general well-being and menopausal and HRT status. Serum biochemical and hormones, blood pressures, handgrip strength and forced expiratory capacity were measured. Cognitive functions were monitored, and bone and body composition were evaluated using the dual energy absorptiometry (DXA).

Results: The results showed that aging affected many health compartments starting mainly in the 6^th decade. Aging affects the cognitive functions, body form, physical and general well-being, metabolic and cardiovascular risk, bone health and the incidence of both general and abdominal obesity. The onset of menopause further aggravated the poor bone health, strength and higher body fat due to age alone. These ill effects in postmenopausal women not having HRT were negated by either estrogen alone or estrogen/progestin HRT. However, estrogen alone HRT was associated with significantly lower IGF1 and BP3 and higher incidence of abdominal obesity than by age alone. The combined estrogen/progestin HRT, on the other hand was associated with lower levels of HDL.

Conclusion: Aging affects most health compartments by the 5^th and 6^th decades. The onset of menopause further aggravated the ill effects of aging on bone health. While HRT could negate the ill effects of menopause, HRT may have other adverse effects on some aspects of women health.

Keywords

Asian women, aging, menopause, hormone replacement therapy.

Introduction

In 2014 in the USA, the CDC reported that there was about a five-year difference in life expectancy between men (76.5y) and women (81.3y) [1]. However, the primary concern today is the concept of health expectancy; that is a measure of how long a person remains healthy in his/her life cycle. Therefore, health expectancy is tied intimately to how a person ages, rather than merely a measure of the chronological aging. It is known that aging affects individuals at different rates. There are individuals who look beyond their age and conversely, others look much younger than their age. The rate of aging is dependent on many factors including the biological make up; an individual who is genetically predisposed to have some diseases such as premature aging will age much faster than his/her chronological age. The environment has a definite bearing on how a person ages – living in an environment with poor sanitation, lack of clean water and polluted air will greatly stress the body leading to a higher rate of aging. Countries have very different socioeconomic and geopolitical situations. In some countries, people who live in abject poverty will have higher rates of aging. In addition, the lifestyle that a person adopts – whether he/she gets involved in drug, alcohol abuse, or engages in excessive eating can lead to poor health and thus accelerate the aging process. Unlike men, apart from all the factors affecting aging mentioned above, the onset of menopause is a major biological event that can further impact the aging process in women.

The menopause happens around the age of 50 years when a woman stops menstruating and the ovaries stop producing, cyclically, estrogen and progesterone. Following the onset of menopause, women may experience varying degrees of biological, psychological and somatic changes ranging from hot flushes, night sweats, aches and pains, crawling or itching sensations under the skin, forgetfulness, headaches, irritability, lack of self-esteem, reduced sex drive (libido), tiredness, difficulty sleeping – wakefulness or waking hot and sweaty, urinary frequency, vaginal dryness and discomfort with sexual intercourse [2]. The Long-term health risks with menopause as a result of a decrease in female hormones may lead to thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of fractures, an increase in the risk of heart attack and heart diseases, high blood pressure and stroke [3].

Since the publication of the Women’s Health Initiative [4] and the Million Women Study [5], and the reported links between combination (estrogen and progestin) HRT and cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggests that many women are suffering in silence because of fears about such adverse outcomes. In November 12, 2015, NICE gave guideline that tries to assuage fears about HRT and together with other studies offer a new perspective that could help women to make a more informed treatment decision based on a balanced review of the evidence [6].

While the impact of menopause and HRT on the major illnesses including cancer, coronary heart diseases and osteoporosis has been well researched, relative less is known about its impact on sexual functions, homeostasis and other lifestyle factors [7, 8]. The present study examined how menopause and HRT affect or modify the aging process in a large cohort of healthy and community living Asian women.

Subjects, materials and methods

Subjects

The Institutional Review Board of the National University Hospital of Singapore approved this study and each volunteer gave her written informed consent. The method was previously reported [9, 10]. A large cohort of 1326 women, aged between 29y and 72y, were included in the analyses.

General questionnaire

Each subject answered a self-administered and investigator-guided questionnaire. Questions asked included their medical, social, sex, exercise regime, and family history. As the primary objective of the study was to evaluate the determinants of the natural aging process, only women without a history of medical illnesses such as cancer, hypertension, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, osteoporotic fracture, cardiovascular events, major sleep disorders, and major joint surgery were included in the study.  Subjects were not paid for their participation. The cohort of women represented the diverse spectrum of people in Singapore, ranging from those with low to high levels of education, working and non-working women (retirees), and those in various types of vocation [10]. Their profiles were typical of Singapore, which is a highly urbanized city-state with no rural population.

Age groups (AgeGps)

All women were classified into four age groups: AgeGp1 – women below age 40 y, AgeGp2 – women between ages of 41 to 50 y, AgeGp3 – women between ages 51 to 60 y and AgeGp4 – women above 60 y old.

Menopause groups (MenoGps)

In order to evaluate whether the onset of menopause and the presence of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have a modifying effect on the aging process, all women aged between 50 – 60 y were classified into four menopause groups: MenoGp1 – all premenopausal women within this age group; MenoGp2 – postmenopausal women not on any HRT; MenoGp3 – postmenopausal women on estrogen only replacement therapy (ERT) for at least the past year (mainly on 0.625 mg Premarin (Pfizer, NY) or progynova (2 mg estradiol valerate, Schering AG, Berlin); and MenoGp4: postmenopausal women on estrogen/progestin hormone replacement therapy (E/PRT) for at least the past year (mainly Prempak C (0.625mg Conjugated estrogen and 0.15mg norgestrel, Pfizer Ltd, NY).

Biochemical and hormone measurements

An overnight 12h fasting blood sample was collected in the morning between 9.00am and 11.00am for all postmenopausal women. For premenopausal women, a blood sample was collected between Day 3 to Day 5 of their menstrual cycle. The sera were stored at -80^oC until analyses. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and fasting glucose level (Glu) were measured by methods reported earlier [11]. Serum testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and cortisol (Cor) were measured by established radioimmunoassay methods reported earlier [9]. Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) and insulin like growth factor binding protein-3 (BP3) was measured using immunoradiometric assay kits (Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc., Webster, TX) as reported earlier [12, 13]. Serum concentrations of insulin (INS) were measured in-house using the Axsym platform from Abbott. Bioavailable testosterone (BioT) was calculated using the computer formula of Vermeulen, which is available on the ISSAM website. [www.issam.ch]

Whole body DXA and bone scans

Each subject had a whole body scan using the DXA Hologic, Bedford, MA, and USA. The DXA scanner calculated the percent total body fat (PBF) automatically using the Siri formula. Total body and regional distribution in the trunk (Tk), abdomen (Abd), arms (Arm) and legs (Leg) of lean (L) and fat (F) mass, expressed in mass (g) and per cent were computed from the whole body scan. Total bone mineral content (Tbmc) and per cent mineral content (Pbmc) were also derived from the whole body scan.

Spine and hip osteoporosis and osteopenia

Each subject underwent a lumber spinal scan at the L2-L4, and a scan of the hip (representing the femoral neck, shaft, and trochanter) using DXA. The DXA scanner computed the spine bone mineral density (Sbmd, the average bone mineral density of L2-L4) and femoral neck bone mineral density (Hbmd). The T-scores for the spine and femoral neck were computed with reference to the bone mineral density (bmd) for young women established for the local population. According to the WHO guidelines, a T-score >-1.00 is normal, while T-scores <-1.00 to -2.50 denote osteopenia and T-scores of <-2.50 denote osteoporosis [14]. Hence, the following groups were identified: Spine osteopenia (SOsteopn) and spine osteoporosis (SOsteop) and hip osteopenia (HOsteopn) and hip osteoporosis (HOsteop) and were used in the analyses for incidence.

Handgrip strength (Grip)

A handgrip dynamometer (Takei Scientific Instruments, Japan) was used to test the handgrip strength as reported earlier [15]. The purpose of this test was to measure the maximum isometric strength of the hand and forearm muscles. Also, as a general rule, people with strong hands tend to be strong also elsewhere, so this test is often used as a general test of strength [16, 17]. Each subject performed the handgrip test three times and the maximum score (Grip) of the three was used for the analysis. The handgrip strength was expressed as kilogram force (Kgf).

Well-being score (WBSc), well-being symptoms (WBsym)

The well-being questionnaire contains 31 items regarding a wide variety of symptoms, such as vegetative symptoms, concentration deficit, fatigue, tiredness, dizziness, and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. The subjects were asked to rate the frequency of occurrence of each symptom during the last 24 hours on a four-point scale with 0, denoting none and 3, frequent. This test was taken from the SPES package [18]. The individuals’ sense of well-being is dependent on many factors including sleep; levels of stress at work and at home, any circadian rhythm disruption and the presence of emotional distress. A higher score, therefore, would reflect a greater sense of being unwell. A higher number of symptoms (WBSym) add up to a higher sense of being unwell.

Forced expiration capacity test (FEC)

Subjects were asked to blow into an instrument (from Takei, Japan) to measure the forced expiratory capacity. The measurement was adjusted for gender and age of the subjects. The score was then set as a percent of the mean at the individual’s age and gender group. It is a measure of tiredness and an indication of the lung capacity at the time of testing. A lower percentage (FEC) indicates a more tired or weaker physical state.

Blood Pressures

Brachial systolic (Sys) and diastolic (Dia) blood pressures were measured by trained clinical researchers using a standardized manual sphygnomanometric method and after the participants had rested for at least 5 min. Both blood pressures were recorded as millimeter of mercury (mmHg).

Cognitive function tests

The Swedish Performance Evaluation System (SPES) was developed more than 40 years ago [18]. Two prospective tests from the SPES, the Symbol Digit for perceptual capacity and Digit Span for short-term memory were used in the study. The digit symbol and digit span tests were computer-based tests. All participants underwent a familiarization trial test before the actual scorings were recorded.

Symbol Digit – The Symbol Digit is a test of perceptual capacity, which includes matching, memory and the speed of processing. In one row, a key to this coding task is given by the pairing of symbols with randomly arranged digits, 1 to 9. The task is to key in as fast as possible the digits corresponding to the symbols presented in random order in a second row. Each set consists of nine pairs of randomly arranged symbols and digits, and a total of 10 sets are presented. Performance is evaluated as the mean reaction time in milliseconds (RT) and the number of errors (Err) for the last 54 pairs of the test. Symbol digit tests the individual’s ability to interpret and correctly match what he sees as well as the speed of his mental perception. It also involves hand-eye coordination. The two components of this test are reaction time (RT) and the number of errors (Err) [18].

Digit Span – The Digit Span is a test of the short-term visual memory capacity. In this test, a series of digits is presented on the computer screen. The digits are presented one at a time with a 1-second presentation time, and the task is to reproduce the series on the keyboard. Depending on the answer, the length of the following series is either increased or decreased. The test starts with a series of three digits and it is terminated after six incorrect answers. Performance is evaluated as the maximum string of numbers (DSpan) that the subject could remember successfully. A longer DSpan indicates a better short-term visual memory [18].

Obesity

Definitions of general (GOb) and abdominal (AbO)

Per cent total body fat (PBF) computed from the DXA-whole body scan was used to define general obesity. General obesity (GOb) was defined when the PBF is >35% for women [19]. Abdominal obesity (AbO) was defined when the per cent abdominal fat is >21.8% in women [19].

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) Groupings

The most commonly used NCEP ATPIII definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was used for the purpose of the present study [20]. According to the recommendations of the NCEP ATP III [23], the 5 risk factors of MetS are:

• High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) <1.03mmol/l
• Fasting glucose level (Glu) >5.6mmol/l
• Systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure – B/P >130/>85 mmHg
• Triglyceride level (TG) > 1.7mmol/l
• For the present study, the risk factor of waist circumference was replaced by a PBF of >35% for women to defined obesity.

An individual was considered to have metabolic syndrome (MetS) when she has 3 or more of the above 5 metabolic syndrome risk factors.

Indices of Insulin resistance

Besides high levels of insulin as indicative of possible insulin resistance, the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) score was established as a measure of insulin resistance. As suggested by Matthews et al, HOMA is computed by multiplying fasting insulin with fasting glucose levels and then dividing it by 22.5 [24]. A HOMA value of >2.8 computed from a single fasting blood sample correlated well with other measures of insulin resistance [21].

Surveys sleep and sexual activities

In the general questionnaire, subjects were asked to rate their duration of sleep, ease of falling asleep and their sexual functions. The scores were based on the following questions:

Sexual activities

Subjects were asked, on an average,

1. How many times they had coitus with their partner per month (CoitalF)

2. Whether they self-masturbate (Masturbate)	Score
   No	1
   Yes	2

3. If they do, how many times per month (No.Times)
4. What is your response to your coital frequency?
   1. Want more
   2. Happy with frequency
   3. Want less
5. How is your libido?
   1. Normal
   2. Reduced
6. Do you have pain during sex?
   1. No
   2. Yes

Statistical analyses

Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for windows version 21.0. Basic descriptive statistics as well as comparison of means using the Multivariate analyses of the General Linear Model coupled with the Bonferroni as the Post-Hoc test for multiple means were used on continuous measurements. Comparisons were carried out among the four age and four menopausal groups and significance differences were denoted when the p value is <0.05. For non-parametric measures such as the incidence of osteopenia and osteoporosis, ease of falling asleep, number who were engaged in masturbation, the numbers who were obese, cross-tab analyses with the four age and menopausal groups were computed and the Fisher’s exact test was used for statistical analyses.

Results

The results showed that aging affected many of the major health compartments evaluated in the present study. In the cognitive perceptual capacity domain, errors (Err) in matching was significantly degraded after the 6^th decade, while noticeable and significant increase in reaction time (RT) occurred after the 5^th decade and was worst after the 6^th decade (Table 1). Similar to RT of the perceptual capacity, short-term memory (Dspan) was significantly shorter after the 5^th decade and was further and progressively poorer after the 6^th decade (Table 1).

Handgrip strength was significantly lower in women in the 6^th and 7^th decades when compared to women in the 4^th and 5^th decade, and the handgrip strength in women in the 7^th decade was significantly lower when compared to women in the 6^th decade (Table 1). As far as the forced expiratory capacity (FEC) was concerned, women in the 7^th decade had significantly lower FEC when compared to all other groups of younger women (Table 1). Likewise, women in the 7^th decade experienced significantly more unwell symptoms when compared to all other groups of younger women (Table 1). In addition, the sense of well-being was significantly lower in women in the 7^th decade when compared only to women in the 4^th decade (Table 1).

Systolic blood pressure was significantly and progressively higher in women after the 4^th decade, while diastolic blood pressure was significantly and progressively higher in women after 5^th decade (Table 1).

Significantly more women in the 6^th decade age groups slept less than 6 hour per night when compared to women in the 4^th decade age group (Table 1). Women in the 6^th and 7^th decade had progressively less sex than women in the 4^th and 5^th decade (Table 1). On the other hand, younger women, in the 4^th decade wanted to have more sex than all the older women in the 5^th to 7^th decade (Table 1). Significantly more women in their 4^th decade were engaged in masturbation than older women in their 6^th decade (Table 1). Significantly more women, in their 6^th and 7^th decade experienced pain in sex than younger women in their 4^th and 5^th decade (Table 1).

Table 1. Comparisons of various parameters among the four age groups

Err = number of errors; RT = reaction time; Dspan = digit span; Grip = handgrip strength; FEC = forced expiratory capacity; Sys = systolic blood pressure; Dia = diastolic blood pressure; WBSc = well being score; WBsym = number of unwell symptoms; Coitalf = number of coitus per month; masturb = number/per cent of women engaged in masturbation; SlpD = number/per cent of women who slept less than 6h per night; want more sex = number/per cent of women who want more sex than currently engaged in; Painful sex = number/per cent of women who experienced pain during sex.

Aging related changes in body composition were reflected in changes in the three major elements of bone, lean and fat masses. Per cent bone mineral content (Pbmc) was significantly lower in women in the 6^th and 7^th decade when compared to women in the 4^th and 5^th decade. Furthermore, Pbmc was significantly lower in women in the 7^th decade when compared to women in the 6^th decade (Table 2). Per cent lean mass (PLM) and Per cent body fat (PBF) on the other hand, were significantly and progressively lower and higher, respectively, from the 4^th decade onwards (Table 2). Interestingly, on an average, per cent lean mass decrease by about 4.0% over a span of 30 years, while per cent fat mass increase by about 5.4% over a span of 30 years which is close to the combine loss of 4.62% of lean and bone mass (Table 2). Regional body composition changed as a person aged. Both spine bone mineral density (Sbmd) and hip bone mineral density (Hbmd) were significantly lower, starting in women in the 6^th decade and continued to be even lower in 7^th decade when compared to women in the 4^th and 5^th decade (Table 2). Over the span of 30 years, Sbmd and Hbmd were lower by 16.2% and 13.9%, respectively, when compared to corresponding levels in women in the 4^th decade (Table 2).

Table 2. Comparisons of body compositions among the four age groups

Pbmc = per cent bone mineral content; PLM = per cent total lean mass; PBF = per cent body fat; Sbmd = average bone mineral density of L2-L4; Hbmd = bone mineral density of the femoral neck of the hip; PTkL = per cent trunk lean mass; PAbdL = per cent abdominal lean mass; PLegL = per cent leg lean mass; PAbdF = per cent abdominal fat mass; PTkF = per cent trunk fat mass; PlegF = per cent leg fat mass.

The incidence of spinal osteopenia and osteoporosis among Singaporean women increased progressively with age. For spinal osteopenia, the increase was from 10.5% in the 4^th to 37.6% in the 6^th and a high of 53.4% in the 7^th decade (Table 3). For spinal osteoporosis, the increase was from 0.6% in the 4^th decade to 3.8% in the 6^th and to 10.5% in the 7^th decade (Table 3). On the other hand, the incidence of hip osteopenia was already high (50.8%) in the 4^th decade and did not increase significantly through to the 7^th decade (Table 3). The incidence of osteoporosis of the hip, on the other hand, was significantly higher in the older age groups. It increased significantly from 6.1% in the 4^th decade to 15.7% in the 6^th and to 36.8% in the 7^th decade (Table 3).

Per cent trunk lean (PTkL) showed significant increases in older women in the 7^th decade when compared to younger women in the 4^th decade (Table 2). Per cent abdominal lean mass (PAbdL), on the other hand, was significantly lower in younger women in the 4^th decade when compared to women in all the older groups (Table 2). In addition, women in the 5^th decade had significantly lower PAbdL than women in both the 6^th and 7 decades (Table 2). Contrary to the per cent trunk and abdominal lean mass, the per cent leg lean mass (PLegL) was significantly lower in women in all the older age groups when compared to the younger women in the 4^th decade and was progressively and significantly lower from the 4^th decade through the 7^th decade (Table 2). Per cent trunk and abdominal fat mass (PTkF) was significantly and progressive higher starting from the 4^th decade through the 7^th decade and was significantly higher in the 6^th and 7^th decade as compared to the 5^th decade (Table 2). A similar trend was noted for per cent leg fat (PLegF), except that it was progressively lower in women in the older age groups (Table 2).

Bioavailable testosterone (BioT) tended to be lower in women in the older age groups, but only reached significantly level when comparing women in the 5^th and 6^th decade (Table 3). Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF1) was significantly and progressive lower from the 4^th decade onwards and reaching the lowest level in women in the 7^th decade, decreasing, on an average, 1% per year from the 4^th decade onwards (Table 3). On the other hand, the insulin growth factor binding protein-3 (BP3) was significantly higher in women in the 6^th decade when compared to women in both the 4^th and 5^th decade (Table 3). Insulin (INS) levels in women in the 7^th decade were significantly higher than in women in the 4^th decade (Table 3). The HOMA level of women in the 7^th decade was significantly higher than corresponding levels in women in the 4^th and 5^th decade (Table 3). There were no significant changes with age noted for cortisol, testosterone and DHEAS levels.

Table 3. Comparisons of biochemical and hormone factors and incidences among the four age groups

BioT = bioavailable testosterone; IGF1 = insulin growth factor-1; BP3 = insulin growth factor binding protein-3; INS = insulin; TC = total cholesterol; HDL = high density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL = low density lipoprotein cholesterol; TC/HDL = total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio; Glu = glucose level; HOMA = homeostasis model assessment score; GOb = number/per cent of women with general obesity; AbO = number/per cent of women with abdominal obesity; MetS = number/per cent of women with metabolic syndrome; SOsteopn = number/per cent of women with osteopenia of the spine; SOsteop = number/per cent of women with osteoporosis of the spine; HOsteop = number/per cent of women with osteoporosis of the hip

Both total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) were significantly and progressively higher from the 4^th to the 7^th decade. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), on the other hand tended to be higher in older women, but only reached significantly levels when comparing levels in women in the 6^th decade with those in women in the 4^th and 5^th decade (Table 3). The ratio of TC/HDL increased with age and levels in women in the 6^th and 7^th decade were significantly higher than corresponding levels in women in the 4^th and 5^th decade (Table 3). Glucose (Glu) levels were significantly higher in all other older age groups when compared to those in women in the 4^th decade; and levels in women in the 6^th and 7^th decade, were significantly higher than levels in women in the 5^th decade (Table 3). No significant change with age was noted for TG levels.

The incidence of general obesity (GOb) increased with age and was significantly higher in women in the 6^th and 7^th decade when compared to women in the 4^th and 5^th decade; likewise the incidence was significantly higher in women in the 7^th decade when compared to that in women in the 6^th decade (Table 3). As with general obesity, the incidence of abdominal obesity (AbO) tended to be higher in older women, reaching significantly levels in women in the 6^th decade when compared to corresponding levels in women in the 4^th and 5^th decade (Table 3).

Significantly more women in the 6^th and 7^th decade had metabolic syndrome (MetS) when compared to women in the 4^th and 5^th decade (Table 3).

Taking all women in the age range of 50 to 60 y old and categorized them into four groups of premenopausal, postmenopausal without HRT, postmenopausal with estrogen replacement therapy and postmenopausal women with combined estrogen/progestin therapy, has enabled the evaluation of whether the onset of menopause and how different HRT can influent the aging effects on various health compartments. Comparing between the premenopausal and the postmenopausal women without HRT in this age group revealed that the onset of the menopause had additional effects on top of those due to aging alone. Handgrip strength in postmenopausal women without HRT (MenoGp2) was significantly lower than corresponding levels in premenopausal women (MenoGp1) (Table 4).

Table 4. Comparisons of various parameters among the four menopausal groups

MenoGp1 = premenopausal women in the age group of 50–60y; MenoGp2 = postmenopausal women without HRT; MenoGp3 = postmenopausal women on estrogen only HRT; MenoGp4 = postmenopausal women on estrogen/progestin HRT; Grip = handgrip strength; Sys = systolic blood pressure; Sbmd = bone mineral density of spine; Tbmc = total bone mineral content; Pbmc = per cent bone mineral content; PBF = per cent body fat;
T = testosterone level; IGF1 = insulin growth factor-1; BP3 = insulin growth factor binding protein-3; HDL = high density lipoprotein cholesterol; AbO = number/percent of women with abdominal obesity; SOsteopn = number/per cent of women with osteopenia of the spine.

The onset of menopause (MenoGp2) was associated with significant reduction of Sbmd, bone mineral content (Tbmc, Pbmc) when compared to premenopausal women in the same age group (Table 4). In addition the number of women who had spinal osteopenia in postmenopausal women without HRT was significantly higher than premenopausal women in the same age group (Table 4).

The per cent body fat (PBF) in postmenopausal women without HRT was significantly higher when compared to corresponding values in premenopausal women in the same age group (MenoGp1)
(Table 4).

The systolic blood pressure (Sys) and testosterone of postmenopausal women on the estrogen/progestin (E/P) combined HRT was significantly higher than premenopausal women in the same age group (Table 4). The levels of BP3 and HDL in postmenopausal women on the E/P HRT were significantly lower than postmenopausal women who were not on any HRT (Table 4).

On the other hand, postmenopausal women in the estrogen only HRT group (MenoGp3) had significantly lower IGF1 and BP3 levels than postmenopausal women not on HRT in the same age group (Table 4). More postmenopausal women on estrogen only HRT had abdominal obesity than premenopausal women in the same age group (Table 4).

Discussion

Results of the present cross-sectional study, involving a large cohort of healthy community living Asian women, showed that aging affects most health compartments and each to varying extent. The deleterious effects of aging occurred mostly after the age of 50 y old, with some occurring earlier, after 40 y. In addition, in some compartments, the magnitude of the ill effects that occurred after 40 y or 50 y did not deteriorate any further with age, while in others; the ill effects became progressively worse through to the 7^th decade.

An obvious age-related effect was the change in body form, noticeably, the accumulation of body fat in the trunk, abdomen and hip that occurred as earlier as after 40 y of age. Interestingly, unlike in the trunk, hip and abdomen, lean and fat mass in the legs decreased with age, perhaps explaining the flabby looks noted in the legs many older women.

Associated with the changes in body form were biochemical changes that are indicative of increase risks of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. The increased risks were reflected by increases in total cholesterol, LDL, TC/HDL and glucose level as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure that started occurring in the 5^th and 6^th decade. Further evidence of the increase risk of metabolic syndrome was the observed increase in insulin levels and the index for insulin resistance (HOMA) that occurred in the 7^th decade. These metabolic changes were associated with the increases in the incidence of metabolic syndrome in women in the 6^th and 7^th decade of life. In addition, there was an increase in the incidence of general obesity and abdominal obesity. The results give further credence to an earlier report that it is abdominal and not general obesity that was associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases [19].

Osteoporosis is frequently referred to as the silent killer or the silent epidemic and has become a major public health problem, especially in older men and women [22]. There is abundant evidence that the incidence of osteoporosis increases with age [23], and the results of the present study supported this observation. In conjunction with the significant loss of the Sbmd and Hbmd as well total bone mineral content, the incidence of osteoporosis and osteopenia of the hip and spine showed significant increases in the 6^th and 7^th decade. The increased incidence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in women in the 6^th and 7^th decade coincided with the onset of the menopause. The depletion of the female hormone in postmenopausal women is considered a major risk factor for osteoporosis [24].

An interesting feature of the bone health among the Singaporean women was that the incidence of hip osteopenia was already very high in women in the 4^th decade. Unfortunately the cohort of the present study did not include participants younger than 30 y old. Therefore, it is not known when the increase in incidence of osteopenia of the hip had occurred in this population. It is also not clear whether this is a peculiar feature of the Singapore cohort as no comparison with other populations was available. It is however not surprising that the incidence of osteopenia in Singaporean women even as young as those in their 4^th decade was very high, given the rather sedentary lifestyle prevalent in Singapore, a highly urbanized City State.

Physical strength as measured by handgrip strength showed decline with age, reaching significant levels by the 6^th decade and continued into the 7^th decade. Expiratory capacity, a measure of the lung capacity showed significant decline only in the 7^th decade.

The study also showed that sexual functions declined with age. Coital frequency showed significant decline only after the 5^th decade, while the number of women who were engaged in self-masturbation decline in the 6^th decade when compared to women in the 4^th decade. On the other hand, the number of women who wanted to have more sex declined significantly in women in the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th decade when compared to women in the 4^th decade. Likewise, more women experienced painful sex in the 6^th and 7^th decade. These data support the notion that sexual functions in women decreased with age. In Singapore, decrease in sexual function may be attributed to the highly stressful lifestyle – and the present author coined the term “lifestyle impotency” to denote this form of impotency for the Singapore’s population [25].

Older women tended to sleep less when compared to younger women. Interestingly, contrary to other parameters evaluated, the sense of well-being increased and the number of unwell symptoms declined with age. In the Singapore’s context, this could possibly due to the much more stressful lifestyle that is common among younger than in older women. Singapore is known to be a highly competitive society and younger women face the challenges of establishing their career and raising young families. In contrast, older women have more established career and mature family or have already retired, hence have a less stressful lifestyle and less subjected to being unwell.

Decline in bioavailable testosterone with age was not dramatic. The decline of insulin growth factor-1 was quite dramatic, decreasing progressively from the 4^th decade to 30.8% less by the 7^th decade. Concurrent to the decline in IGF-1 was an increase in the insulin growth factor binding protein 3. However, the increase was noted in 6^th decade. The biological significance of these changes is not known.

Despite methodological difficulties in the research in normal brain aging, cognitive change in normal aging has been well documented [26]. The present study showed that the perceptual capacity and processing speed significantly declined in the 6^th and 7^th decade in agreement with earlier studies [27]. On the other hand, short-term memory declined progressively from the 6^th to the 7^th decade, a finding in line with other forms of memory declines [28].

The present study showed that aging has ill effects on most major health compartments. Most ill effects began in the 6^th decade with a few occurring in the 5^th decade. Hence any modality to prevent or slow down the ill effects should be instituted earlier, preferably in the second or third decade of life. The author, in a paper on the same cohort of women and published earlier showed that having a regular physical exercise/sport as a lifestyle habit can effectively mitigate, to some extent, the ill effects of aging [29]. In this study, it was clearly shown that different physical exercise as a lifestyle habit and when engaged in sufficiently high intensity can impart beneficial effects on cognitive, bone, cardiovascular, metabolic, sexual, and general health, and muscular and hormonal functions, and thus could reverse or tamper some of the ill effects of the aging process [29]. In the light of very high incidence of osteopenia of the hip, even in women in the 4^th decade, it is important to promote engagement in regular exercise in women early in life. High intensity of physical exercise was also associated with higher amount of total lean mass and lean mass in the legs of women. Physical exercise would be beneficial to mitigate the risk of sarcopenia in women as they age [30].

Comparisons between postmenopausal women and premenopausal women in the same age group have provided a means of knowing whether the onset of menopause has additional effects on the age-related impact on the various health compartments. Interestingly, only bone health was worst in postmenopausal women who were not on any HRT when compared to premenopausal women within the same age group. Spinal bmd and bone mineral content were significantly lower, and the incidence of spine osteopenia was significantly higher in this group when compared to premenopausal women within the same age group. On the other hand, the bone health of postmenopausal women either on estrogen only or the combination of estrogen/progestin was similar to that of the premenopausal women within the same age group suggesting that HRT was able to reverse the deterioration of bone health caused by the onset of the menopause. The results showed, as has been widely reported, that bone health in women deteriorate with increasing age and the loss of estrogen with the onset of menopause [30, 31]. The losses of bone mass and increase in incidence of osteopenia seen in postmenopausal women without HRT were partially attenuated in women on either estrogen alone or estrogen/progestin HRT. This observation gives further credence to the importance of estrogen in bone health in women. Although hormone therapy is beneficial for the bone health of postmenopausal women, in the light of the Women’s Health Initiative, WHI, hormone therapy was not recommended even to women with high fracture risk [4]. However, with the lapse of time, there are more recent studies that support the introduction of newer forms of hormone therapy for postmenopausal women to mitigate the high fracture risk due to osteoporosis [24, 32]. As mentioned earlier, a non-drug treatment modality is encouraging postmenopausal women to take part in physical exercise of sufficient intensity as a lifestyle habit.

Handgrip strength was significantly lower and total body fat was higher in postmenopausal women than those due to age alone. If left unchecked, the long-term prognosis may be the increased risk of metabolic syndrome and sarcopenic frailty. In addition the decline in handgrip strength and the increase in total body fat in postmenopausal women without HRT were reversed in postmenopausal women on HRT, and thus would reduce the risks associated with reduced strength and increase fat.

While the positive impact of HRT for bone health, strength and fat was evident, the different types of HRT have varying effects on other health parameters. Postmenopausal women on the estrogen/progestin HRT had significantly higher systolic blood pressure and lower levels of HDL, implying perhaps, that the combination of estrogen/progestin HRT may be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The clinical significance of higher levels of testosterone and lower levels of BP3 in postmenopausal women on the combination HRT is unclear. Postmenopausal women on the estrogen alone HRT, on the other hand, had significantly higher incidence of abdominal obesity with its attendant increase risk of metabolic syndrome as reported earlier [19]. Another negative effect of estrogen only HRT was the significant reduction of IGF1 and BP3, the clinical significance is unclear from the present study.

In summary, aging in women has significant and deleterious effects on most of the major health compartments including the bone, metabolic, cardiovascular, cognitive, and muscular compartments, strength, physical tone and general well-being, with most of the ill effects occurring in the 5^th and 6^th decade of life.  The onset of menopause is associated with further deterioration of bone health, strength, and body fat. Hormone replacement therapy, whether it was estrogen only or the combination of estrogen/progestin, was able to reverse or attenuate the ill effects due to the onset of the menopause. On the other hand, estrogen only and the combination of estrogen/progestin therapy may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.  The one non-drug modality that can attenuate or slow down the effect of aging is the engagement of regular physical exercise at a sufficiently high intensity as a lifestyle habit.

Authors’ contributions: This study was designed, conducted and data collected while Professor Victor H H Goh was at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore. Professor Goh was involved in the interpretation, drafting of the manuscript and critical revision of the paper for submission.

Acknowledgments: This study was supported, in part, by funds from the Academic Research Fund of the National University of Singapore. Professor Victor Goh’s position in the Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences was sponsored by Curtin University. I will like to acknowledge the technical assistance from staff of the Endocrine Research and Service Laboratory of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National University of Singapore.

Declaration of interest: The author reports no declaration of interest.

References

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DOI: 10.31038/AWHC.2019215

 

Despite generally high prevalence of problems in sexual functioning in both men and women, the topic of sexual dysfunctioning remains an understudied phenomenon [1]. While traditionally, research focused on finding medicinal approaches to solve sexual dysfunctions (e.g. Viagra pills in erectile disorders), research increasingly started exploring psychological factors as well (e.g. sexual arousal [2]). To further attest to the relevance of psychological factors in etiological processes in sexual dysfunctions, most current psychological views consider sexual dysfunctions as the result of negative emotional responses following erotic stimulation. According to the Dual Control model [2], sexual dysfunctions may best be understood as a disturbance in the interaction between sexual excitatory and inhibitory processes. Negative emotional experiences could interfere with sexual excitatory processes and the generation of sufficient levels of sexual arousal, and render healthy sexual functioning problematic.

One negative emotion is disgust. Disgust is one of the basic human emotions and generally defined as: “revulsion at the prospect of (oral) incorporation of an offensive object.” [3]. Interestingly, disgust has a clear association with the sexual domain [4, 5]. Firstly, the function of disgust is to shield the individual from contamination with hazardous pathogens [6], so from an evolutionary perspective, disgust may also function to protect the individual against sexually transmitted diseases or to avoid sexual intercourse with partners with a strong genetic similarities (e.g., distant family) which could endanger the health of potential offspring. Secondly, sexual stimuli such as bodily fluids or contact with genitalia qualify as universally accepted disgust stimuli [3]. Further, research shows that sexual stimuli (such as pornographic imagery) can elicit disgust in healthy individuals [7, 8]. Indeed, recent research showed that disgust appraisals are significantly increased in some patients with sexual dysfunctions [9]. In sum, these findings suggest that there is a clear association between disgust and sexual (dys)functioning.

Recently, de Jong et al. [4] postulated the Give in or Get stuck Model on the interrelationship between disgust and arousal. The model suggests that experiences of disgust interfere with the generation of sexual excitatory processes, in particular, the generation of sexual arousal. While the generation of sexual arousal promotes approach behavior to a sex-relevant stimulus, disgust is to promote avoidance behavior towards the sex-relevant stimulus.

This likely disturbs the delicate balance between sexual excitatory and inhibitory processes. As disgust is a highly negative, aversive emotions, the sex-relevant stimulus could become associated with negative associations. This could create a dysfunctional feedback loop where (even the mere prospect of) future confrontations with that stimulus could already evoke negative emotions (e.g., disgust) and hinder effective sexual functioning.

As disgust is a highly negative, aversive emotion, the sex-relevant stimulus could become associated with negative associations, thus creating a dysfunctional feedback loop where (the prospect of) future confrontations with that stimulus could already evoke negative emotions and disturb the delicate balance between sexual excitatory and inhibitory processes.

Given that disgust and arousal seem important parts of healthy sexual functioning, treatment methods which focus on enhancing emotion regulation and/or arousal management, could be valuable in helping to restore the disturbed balance between excitatory and inhibitory processes. First, emotion regulation training could be a valuable treatment method. According to James Gross [10], emotion regulation entails “the processes by which we influence which emotions we have, when we have them, and how we experience and express them”. By using cognitive strategies (e.g., cognitive re-appraisal), participants could be trained to view their emotional experience from a different perspective. This could help them assign a different meaning to the negative emotional experiences which sex-relevant stimuli may hold for them, and help re-interpret negative disgust experiences into positive experiences. For example, a patient who learns to re-interpret a mild level of disgust as something normal to experience during the confrontation with sexual stimuli, is likely to avoid that disgust (inhibitory process) will become the predominant focus of attention during the sexual process.

A second method could be the use of biofeedback approaches. Disgust is associated with a strong reflective tendency [9]. This defensive reflex involves the contraction of pelvic musculature, which could consequently hamper sexual functioning and be responsible for creating various discomforts and negative experiences around sexual functioning (e.g., pain, stress, disgust). Biofeedback could help train patients in monitoring when pelvic floor muscles become tense or relaxed. Consequently, in some patient groups where the psychological factors could prove relatively important in the etiological processes of sexual dysfunctions [4, 9], biofeedback may even function as a tool which resembles exposure in vivo in this respect, whereby gradual exposure to the phobic stimuli and the emotions which are associated with them, allow the emotional response to be significantly reduced over time with repeated training.

A third method involves mindfulness. Mindfulness is derived from ancient Eastern traditions. However, when stripped from its philosophical and religious elements, mindfulness has established itself as a valid tool to help people manage psychological stress and improve their wellbeing [11]. Mindfulness involves teaching a series of emotion regulation and attention training techniques, which serve to help the individual to become more aware of their current state of emotions and cognitions. Such heightened awareness of emotional states could help prevent that these emotions unconsciously impact our behavior. In the context of sex-relevant stimuli, mindfulness could help train the patient to become aware of their attention towards negative emotions and thoughts surrounding the sex stimulus (inhibitory processes). Attention training could help people to shift away from these negative associations to the positive aspects of the sexual process (e.g. excitatory processes). Indeed, meta-analyses already revealed that mindfulness could be an efficacious treatment for female sexual dysfunctions [12].

In conclusion, disgust seems a highly interesting candidate to involve in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions. Based on the field of emotion research, several clinical tools can already be identified to explore and alleviate emotional disturbances in the process of sexual dysfunctioning, such as emotion regulation training, biofeedback or mindfulness. Future research should focus on the effectiveness of these interventions to examine whether they can be valuable additions to existing treatment programs.

References

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DOI: 10.31038/AWHC.2019214

Abstract

Human rights defenders and especially those active for women’s rights are under increasing pressure and face persecution due to the international tendency to disregard human rights that is supported by a shift to trust authoritarian governments. The article draws attention to recent cases of women active as key experts in human rights and for women’s human rights and summarises risks and strategies in the relevant cases. The article is based on data received from the respective countries. Professional ethics demands a firm stance against human rights abuses, but strategies appear to be so far insufficient to adequately support and protect those women at risk because of their unwavering compliance with these principles.

Keywords

Trauma, Persecution, Gender, Human Rights, Doctors at Risk, Torture

Introduction

The atrocities committed during the Second World War have led to a general agreement on basic human rights, such as the freedom from torture, to be recognised as “non-derogable”, which means they cannot be suspended under any circumstances, including national emergencies. This has been confirmed also in basic contractual systems, such as in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights [1], as EU members states had been exposed to some of the most extreme atrocities, and in “the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”[2], followed by a number of treaties and humanitarian standards by the UN and other organisations.

It is a frightening development, that human rights and respect for these standards are now openly questioned by leading politicians not only in autocratic countries  or dictatorships but also in European democracies, such as Austria, where the right wing party Minister of interrior has reportedly been summoned to the countries’  president as he proposed that the European Human Rights Convention might have to be disregarded and legal standards should „obey politics“ and not rule of law, though he later tried to play down his statements [3]  (note: In Austria most fundamental human rights are protected by the constitution and by international treaties the country has signed). Other examples are the disregard for the prohibition of torture in US Guantanamo or the treatment of asylum seekers in Australia [4], but also in some EU countries.

The implementation of the above standards needs effective strategies requires international monitoring and control or sanctioning mechanisms and institutions such as the International Criminal Courts, (who can only become active in countries who have signed the “Rome” statute), the European Court of Human Rights, the UN Committee against Torture, the UN special rapporteurs, and the High Commissioner on Human Rights. The principle of  “Universal Jurisdiction” offers the option of starting a criminal prosecution against perpetrators of fundamental violations also in third countries, where a survivor might seek protection [5].

Human Rights Defenders as health care professionals [6] as the third important group besides journalists and lawyers – in the respective countries play a crucial role in calling attention to infrictions and in supporting victims, which are with increasing frequency women.

Medical doctors have together with other groups taken a strong position in many countries, speaking up against torture or gender specific severe human rights violations such as FGM [7–9]. This is also due to the fact that professional ethics as supported by the World Medical Association and outlined in the WMA “Code of Ethics” do not only prohibits any support or participation in human rights violations [10–14], but also encourages health care professionals to speak out against such acts that do not only endanger rule of law and civil society, but also lead to long term adverse mental health consequences. Professional umbrella organisations such as the WMA and World Psychiatric Association have underlined the need of doctors especially in „dual obligation situations“ [15] when they are employed by governments to speak up even when violations are ordered by governmental institutions or their superiors, and further publications have taken up this issue in regard to Turkey [16–20]. Comments also stress the need to support such human rights defenders, due to the substantial danger resulting from such actions to the professional, but also their own lives, safety and health but also to that of their families and relatives [21]. While guidelines are strict, no sufficient mechanisms exist so far to offer adequate protection to those professionals, who follow their ethical standards. The UN have consequently confirmed the right to protection in the General Assembly Resolution A/RES/53/144 adopting the Declaration on human rights [22] that states specifically

Articles 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 of the Declaration provide specific protections to human rights defenders, including the rights:

• To seek the protection and realization of human rights at the national and international levels;
• To conduct human rights work individually and in association with others;
• To form associations and non-governmental organizations;
• To meet or assemble peacefully;
• To seek, obtain, receive and hold information relating to human rights;
• To develop and discuss new human rights ideas and principles and to advocate their acceptance;
• To submit to governmental bodies and agencies and organizations concerned with public affairs criticism and proposals for improving their functioning and to draw attention to any aspect of their work that may impede the realization of human rights;
• To make complaints about official policies and acts relating to human rights and to have such complaints reviewed;
• To offer and provide professionally qualified legal assistance or other advice and assistance in defence of human rights;
• To attend public hearings, proceedings and trials in order to assess their compliance with national law and international human rights obligations;
• To unhindered access to and communication with non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations;
• To benefit from an effective remedy;
• To the lawful exercise of the occupation or profession of human rights defender;
• To effective protection under national law in reacting against or opposing, through peaceful means, acts or omissions attributable to the State that result in violations of human rights;
• To solicit, receive and utilize resources for the purpose of protecting human rights (including the receipt of funds from abroad).

Method

In the following article we explore recent cases of women active for human rights and especially women’s human rights that are health care professionals and the international support given (or not given) in each case.

Professor Sebnem Korur Fincanci, working originally as head of department of Forensic Medicine of Istanbul University, is one of the internationally most prominent experts in the forensic assessment of gross human rights violations, such as torture. She is co-author of the joint UN/WMA standard for the interdisciplinary documentation and investigation of torture and Inhuman and Degrading Treatment (“Istanbul Protocol”) [23]. She has participated in a number of important investigations, [24] including the UN lead investigation of mass graves in Srebrenica. She has been active in the peace movement and has been a trainer in the forensic documentation of human rights violations in many countries and projects.

The Turkish Medical Association and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT) that has close links to the Medical Association, and is led by former chairs of the Turkish Medical Association (TMA), have been active against the again increasing use of Torture [25,26] and gross human rights violations in the country [27–29] that have been observed and criticised by many international organisations including the EU, Amnesty International, Council of Europe CPT [30]  and the UN.

Women are frequently imprisoned together with their children and exposed to torture in Turkey, and suffer from special hardships such as exposure to sexual violence and to gender based problems during detention such as harassment and hygienic conditions [31] see also CPT report 2017 [30]. Both separation from children and joint detention under inadequate conditions or torture must be seen as especially traumatic for women.

Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı and the leadership of the TMA were imprisoned already as part of pre-trial detention in 2016, leading to international protests by many including the Austrian Medical Association, Amnesty International [32] , Amnesties network health professionals that supports human rights defenders [33]  and the World Medical Association, whose press release stated that “the WMA President Dr. Yoshitake Yokokura condemned the arrests and the threats of physical violence and the criminal complaint that has been made against the TMA.

‘The WMA fully supports our Turkish colleagues in their public statements that war is a public health problem. The WMA has clear policy that physicians and national medical associations should alert governments to the human consequence of warfare and armed conflicts. ‘The Turkish Medical Association has a duty to support human rights and peace and we are alarmed about the latest arrests and the criminal complaint. We strongly denounce these attacks on freedom of expression, which is enshrined in article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that Turkey ratified in 2003.” [34]

At that time also World Psychiatric Association who strongly supports Human Rights and the Istanbul Protocol joined with a statement [35]  underlining that:

“We strongly denounce these attacks on the  freedom of expression of  our colleagues, freedoms  that are enshrined in article 19 of  the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by Turkey in 2003.”

Shortly after these statements by WMA, WPA and local medical associations, the leaders of TMA were released, but the trial continued and the TMA leadership were sentenced by local courts with an appeal to the regional high court pending.

According to recent published reports by the HRFT HRFT President Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı was recently sentenced to 2 years 6 months imprisonment on a hearing held on December 19, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey for signing the Peace Petition “We’ll not be a party to this crime!” in January 2016, Prof. Fincancı was being tried together with 542 other academics, with charges of “propagating for a terrorist organization”, in the scope of the„ Anti-Terror “Law.  She is the recipient of numerous Human Rights prices, including the German “Hessian Peace price”.

International statements were again published by PHR (https://phr.org/news/turkish-court-sentences-dr-sebnem-korur-fincanci-to-prison-on-false-charges) and the World Medical Association (WMA) [36] who stated that:

“WMA Chair Dr. Ardis Hoven said: ‘We are shocked at what is going on in Turkey. These physicians, along with many other doctors and health care workers, are being punished for supporting a petition calling on the Turkish government to stop the violence against civilians. These are just the latest examples of the Turkish authorities completely ignoring the most basic human rights by violating the right to free speech. The WMA has repeatedly called on the Turkish Government to call a halt to the appalling harassment of physicians and academics in Turkey following the failed coup in 2016’.

The WMA statement also noted that further women doctors active for human rights are endangered:

 “Former members of TMA’s boards, including Dr. Feride Aksu Tanik, a former Secretary General of TMA and official advisor to WMA, are facing trial or sentences on the same charges of supporting terrorism. Many of them have lost their jobs, had their passports cancelled and will never be able to work in public institutions.”

Further statements included one by the respected German Peace Research Institute “Hessische Stiftung Friedens- und Konfliktforschung (HSFK)”, at Hamburg University (IFSH) with the Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC) https://idw-online.de/de/news708359, and a statement was passed by the Polish Bar Association, underlining interdisciplinary solidarity.

Also members of other professions are in danger, as for example the lawyer and human rights activist Eren Keskin, who is according to AI threatened by 40 different court cases [37], while women organisations are closed down [37].

At present it is difficult to seek international protection for Turkish human rights defenders, both due to the restrictions of granting passports and to increasingly restrictive asylum policies of most, including EU, countries.

Discussion

Limitations: Methodologically, it is challenging to get data on the specific situation of women as human rights defenders especially in authoritarian countries and totalitarian regimes due to the risks and inability to conduct research, any substantial research would potentially endanger both researchers and research subjects. The discussion must be based on well documented individual cases brought forward by independent entities, for example medical associations and by data available on public record. It appears justified to assume, that in other totalitarian regimes, larger numbers of less well published or supported human rights defenders have been persecuted, killed or imprisoned, but due to the persecution and risk to journalists and researchers that are equally at risk no reports or data have been published and case reports must be used to identify problems and discuss and later evaluate possible intervention models. Similar cases have been reported as in Egypt, where Prof. Aida El Dawla, a pioneer on women’s human rights and the fight against torture. She continues to support defenders of women’s rights such as bloggers in spite of the risks involved, and had been imprisoned for her outspoken position.

Conclusion

Women are under special danger if they defend women and patients against war or torture and similar gross human rights violations, and need special protection. Mechanisms are so far not sufficient in offering such protection, though international solidarity is strong. The „war on terror“ appears to be increasingly at risk to be abused against human rights defenders and women must be seen as being at a special risk to face imprisonment and torture.

Governments must be held accountable as also requested by the above United Nations declaration on human rights defenders, a point that must be seen as complimentary to the obligation of professionals as underlined in the WMA Ethics manual and the UN declarations article 11[38]. Universal Jurisdiction can be seen as a contribution if local Justice has been corrupted as part of totalitarian governments with disregard for human rights [5]. For first concrete steps, asylum (international protection) and a way to leave the country should be guaranteed to human rights defenders and international umbrella organisations and Universities should take all necessary steps to support them in respect for their willingness to risk their safety and live to protect women and other vulnerable groups against human rights violations.

Acknowledgement: We are grateful to the Turkish Medical Association members who have supplied data on the above case including summaries of court documents and Austrian Medical Association and to all those who take clear positions to support human rights defenders and women’s rights.

Abbreviations: TMA: Turkish Medical Association. WMA: World Medical Association, UN- United Nations, WPA: World Psychiatric Association

Funding Information: No funding was received by the authors from any side, government or party for this article. Open access was supported by the IERM institute of the University of Vienna.

References

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