RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Can fibromyalgia be considered a characteristic symptom of climacterium? JF Postgraduate Medical Journal JO Postgrad Med J FD The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine SP postgradmedj-2021-140336 DO 10.1136/postgradmedj-2021-140336 A1 Ozcivit, Ipek Betul A1 Erel, Cemal Tamer A1 Durmusoglu, Fatih YR 2021 UL http://pmj.bmj.com/content/early/2021/08/08/postgradmedj-2021-140336.abstract AB Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain syndrome, characterised by diffuse pain in musculoskeletal system and accompanied by stiffness, fatigue, tender points, sleep disturbances and cognitive and gastrointestinal symptoms. It affects middle-aged women (between 40 and 65) predominantly. Climacteric syndrome, which is characterised by vasomotor, somatic (headache, sleep disorders, myalgia and arthralgia) and psychical (mood changes) symptoms, results from the change in brain neurotransmitter concentrations due to gradual decline of ovarian hormone levels. Currently, studies focus on the similarities of FMS and climacteric syndrome in terms of age of occurrence, epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, symptomatology and treatment. Hormonal fluctuation during menopausal transition is likely the triggering factor for both syndromes. Therefore, hormone replacement therapy is a favourable approach in the treatment of FMS due to the antiallodynic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect of oestrogen. In this review, we emphasise the similarity of FMS and climacteric syndrome and suggested that FMS could be considered as a characteristic symptom of climacterium.