Climacteric[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
A preliminary pilot study to address design issues related to research on potential association of hormone therapy and adhesive capsulitis.
Reinke EK, Ford AC, Wahl E … +5 more , Kennedy J, Poehlein E, Green CL, Saltzman E, Wittstein JR
Climacteric · 2026 Jun · PMID 41614260 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is considered idiopathic, yet typically affects women aged 40-60 years. The purpose of this study was to determine whether hormone therapy is protective against AC in menopausal women....
OBJECTIVE: Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is considered idiopathic, yet typically affects women aged 40-60 years. The purpose of this study was to determine whether hormone therapy is protective against AC in menopausal women. The study hypothesized that patients prescribed hormone therapy would have lower odds of AC than those not using hormone therapy. METHOD: Medical record extraction for a single health maintenance organization was used to identify postmenopausal women aged 40- 60 years and assess the utilization of hormone therapy and diagnosis of AC. The distribution of AC and endocrine disorders was compared between treatment groups using chi-squared tests and the odds ratio (OR) was reported. RESULTS: The cohort included 1952 patients (152 hormone therapy, 1800 without hormone therapy). No statistically significant differences were found between treatment groups for endocrine disorders. A higher percentage of AC was noted in patients without hormone therapy compared to patients with hormone therapy (7.65% vs. 3.95%), although the association was not statistically significant (OR 1.99; 95% confidence interval 0.86-4.58; = 0.10). CONCLUSION: This pilot study did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference in odds of AC in menopausal women with and without hormone therapy. Larger prospective studies are needed to further explore potential protective effects of hormone therapy against AC.
Association between adverse life events, DNA methylation and risk of premature ovarian insufficiency.
Yuan S, Wei L, Sun J … +7 more , Fan Y, Li M, Wang L, Zhang Q, Wang Q, Yin S, Lai D
Climacteric · 2026 Jun · PMID 41603787 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess psychological and lifestyle risk factors for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and their association with DNA methylation. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in Shanghai...
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess psychological and lifestyle risk factors for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and their association with DNA methylation. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in Shanghai (2017-2022), including 304 controls and 160 newly diagnosed cases with POI (diagnosed within the past 6 months). Cumulative adverse life events were assessed using the life event scale (LES), and genome-wide DNA methylation was evaluated in whole blood-derived DNA obtained from a sub-sample. RESULTS: The median total event score for POI patients and control individuals was 48.5 and 20.0, respectively ( < 0.001). Participants experiencing more stressful life events (LES >32) were 2.33-fold more likely to have POI compared to controls (odds ratio 2.33, 95% confidence interval 1.53-3.56). Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis identified 5582 differentially methylated sites (DMSs) between POI patients and controls. Further analysis showed that higher negative life events scores were significantly associated with accelerated DNA methylation aging in the POI group (β = 0.06, < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This case-control study revealed that cumulative stressful or adverse life events were associated with an increased risk of POI, and that accelerated epigenetic aging was correlated with chronic stress in POI patients. These findings suggest potential links that warrant further mechanistic investigation.
Global burden of gastroesophageal reflux disease in women of perimenopausal age: trends and forecasts.
Zheng Y, Li H, Zheng Y … +10 more , Wu Y, Wen Y, Zhou J, Wei J, Zhang W, Kang T, Qin B, Jiang J, Zhang J, Cheng Y
Climacteric · 2026 Jun · PMID 41582921 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a highly prevalent disorder that diminishes quality of life. Hormonal fluctuations during the perimenopausal transition (age 45-54 years) may heighten susceptibility t...
OBJECTIVE: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a highly prevalent disorder that diminishes quality of life. Hormonal fluctuations during the perimenopausal transition (age 45-54 years) may heighten susceptibility to GERD, yet the magnitude of the burden in this group remains poorly characterized. This study aims to quantify GERD trends in women of perimenopausal age and forecast disease trajectories to 2045. METHOD: Data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database were utilized. Age-standardized rates were calculated, annual percentage changes were estimated (EAPC) and Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) models were employed to project trends to 2045. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2021, the global age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and age-standardized disability-adjusted life year rate (ASDR) of GERD in women of perimenopausal age exhibited a decreasing trend (EAPC for both: -0.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.14 to -0.04), despite a marked rise in the prevalent cases. Latin America recorded the highest ASDR. Middle Socio-demographic Index regions experienced the greatest growth in prevalent cases. The BAPC model predicts a rise in the age-standardized incidence rate. CONCLUSION: The burden of GERD in women of perimenopausal age exhibits significant global heterogeneity. Incidence rates have risen persistently and are projected to increase through 2045.
Statement of Retraction: Rapid and random-start endometrial preparation before outpatient hysteroscopic polypectomy in patients of perimenopausal age.
Climacteric · 2026 Feb · PMID 41557463 · Publisher ↗
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Menopausal transition and metabolic syndrome risk: insights from the Chinese PALM longitudinal cohort.
Huang J, Feng P, Tang R … +11 more , Huang F, Fan Y, Yang X, Xie Z, Yang L, Ma X, Yang K, Zhang R, Liu G, Luo M, Chen R
Climacteric · 2026 Jun · PMID 41504257 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate trends of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components across the menopausal transition and to identify key metabolic risk factors in Chinese midlife women. METHOD: The longitud...
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate trends of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components across the menopausal transition and to identify key metabolic risk factors in Chinese midlife women. METHOD: The longitudinal study included 841 women from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital Aging Longitudinal Cohort of Women in Midlife (PALM cohort, 2005-2024), classified by the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop +10 (STRAW +10) criteria. Repeated measures of metabolic indicators, sex hormones and sociodemographic factors were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: MetS prevalence rose from 15.0% in the reproductive stage to 43.9% in late postmenopause. All components except reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased progressively. After adjustment, perimenopause and postmenopause stages showed higher MetS odds than the reproductive stage ( = 0.008), with the highest observed in the early postmenopause stage (odds ratio = 1.796, 95% confidence interval = 1.224-2.634), primarily driven by central obesity and elevated triglycerides. Age, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) were independently associated with MetS risk. Lower education and poor self-rated health correlated with higher MetS risk. Vasomotor symptoms were significantly associated with central obesity ( = 0.012) and elevated triglycerides ( < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The menopausal transition is a critical period for metabolic deterioration. Central obesity and elevated triglycerides are key markers. Early identification and targeted intervention are essential during this transition.
Sexual dysfunction and quality of life in postmenopausal type 2 diabetes mellitus: clinical and laboratory factors.
Alves SE, Queiroz MS
Climacteric · 2026 Jun · PMID 41504256 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in postmenopausal women with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its relationship with clinical, laboratory and socioeconomic parameters and quali...
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in postmenopausal women with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its relationship with clinical, laboratory and socioeconomic parameters and quality of life (QoL). METHOD: This cross-sectional study enrolled postmenopausal women with and without T2D not taking hormone replacement. Clinical and laboratory factors were assessed, and participants answered cardiovascular risk, socioeconomic, Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaires. RESULTS: Postmenopausal women without diabetes ( = 105) and with a previous T2D diagnosis ( = 110) were similar in age, marital status, race/ethnicity, employment status, alcohol use and body mass index. Women with T2D showed higher glycemia, glycated hemoglobin, cholesterol, thyroid-stimulating hormone and cardiovascular risk factors. SF-36 scores were significantly lower in women with T2D and sexual dysfunction compared to those without diabetes. FSFI scores below 26.55 were associated with higher odds of FSD with increasing age, whereas vitality showed an inverse association. CONCLUSION: In postmenopausal women with T2D, reduced FSFI scores along with hypertension, hypothyroidism and elevated cardiometabolic risk were linked to poorer QoL. Age increased the odds of FSD, while vitality decreased them. These results underscore the multifactorial interaction of T2D, comorbidities and menopause in women's sexual health and well-being.
Body composition and self-perception of age and health in resistance-trained postmenopausal women.
Nishimura A, Moraes MR, Cantão EW … +8 more , Leite PLA, Maciel LA, Sousa CV, Patricio RCB, Aguiar SDS, Campbell CSG, Gonçalves HR, Simões HG
Climacteric · 2026 Jun · PMID 41504223 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the associations among subjective age, age perception ratio (APR), self-rated health, happiness score and body composition in postmenopausal women. METHOD: A total of 46 postmenopausal...
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the associations among subjective age, age perception ratio (APR), self-rated health, happiness score and body composition in postmenopausal women. METHOD: A total of 46 postmenopausal women aged 50-69 years participated, divided into a resistance training group (RTG; = 24; age 58.2 ± 5.1 years, ≥7 years training) and an untrained group (UNG; = 22; age 58.5 ± 4.1 years). The APR, self-rated health and happiness were assessed and compared. Body composition variables included the waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, body fat percentage and absolute fat mass. Statistical analyses included -tests, correlations and multiple regression to predict APR. RESULTS: Women in the RTG perceived themselves as 27.1 ± 11.3% younger than their actual age, significantly more than the 10.6 ± 17.8% in the UNG ( = 0.001). Self-rated health was higher in the RTG (4.1 ± 0.7) than in the UNG (3.1 ± 1.0; < 0.001), with no group differences in happiness ( = 0.799). The APR correlated with self-rated health ( = 0.689; < 0.001) and happiness ( = 0.435; = 0.003). Regression showed that self-rated health, happiness and waist-to-hip ratio predicted 56.7% of APR variance ( = 0.567; < 0.001). The RTG also had better body composition values than the UNG. CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women engaged in long-term resistance training showed a higher APR and self-rated health, likely associated with improved body composition and younger self-perception of age.
Intermittent walking training improves thyroid function and cardiometabolic risk factors in postmenopausal women.
Abassi W, Ouerghi N, Jebabli N … +9 more , Dhahbi W, Hammami N, Guelmami N, Bouassida A, Feki M, Weiss K, Rosemann T, Dergaa I, Knechtle B
Climacteric · 2026 Jun · PMID 41504174 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of a 10-week moderate intermittent walking training (MIWT) program on thyroid hormone levels and key cardiometabolic markers in obese postmenopausal women. METHODS: T...
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of a 10-week moderate intermittent walking training (MIWT) program on thyroid hormone levels and key cardiometabolic markers in obese postmenopausal women. METHODS: Thirty-six obese postmenopausal women (body mass index ≥ 30 kg.m, aged 50-60 years) were randomized to either the MIWT group ( = 18) or the control group (CG; = 18). Participants performed the MIWT program for four sessions per week (five repetitions of the 6-min walking test [6MWT] at 60-80% of the distance covered in the 6-min walking test [6MWD], interspersed by 6 min of active recovery between repetitions). Body composition, thyroid hormones (thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] and thyroxine-free [FT4]), lipid profile (triglycerides [TRG], total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]), blood pressure and aerobic fitness (6MWT) were determined before and after the MIWT. RESULTS: The MIWT resulted in significant reductions in body composition ( < 0.05), TSH (-5.29%, = 0.019, = 0.16), FT4 (-1.84%, = 0.032, = 0.28), TRG (-7.29%, = 0.003, = 0.27), TC (-4.98%, = 0.003, = 0.31), LDL-C (-10.08%, = 0.003, = 0.51) and SBP (-2.57%, = 0.035, = 0.66), and significant increases in HDL-C (13.36%, = 0.020, = 0.52) and 6MWD (2.81%, = 0.031, = 0.51). CONCLUSIONS: A 10-week MIWT program modestly improved thyroid hormones, cardiometabolic risk and functional capacity in obese postmenopausal women without adverse effects. MIWT is an accessible and low-impact intervention suitable for integration into routine clinical practice to prevent and manage thyroid-related and cardiometabolic disorders in this high-risk population.
Menarche, menopause and reproductive span in relation to frailty trajectories in Chinese women.
Li CE, Liu YY, Zhang YX … +4 more , Feng BB, Zhu L, Ma RW, Wu GC
Climacteric · 2026 Jun · PMID 41498251 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Frailty is a dynamic condition, but the influence of female reproductive factors on its long-term trajectories remains unclear. This study aimed to examine whether age at menarche (AAM), age at menopause (AMP)...
OBJECTIVE: Frailty is a dynamic condition, but the influence of female reproductive factors on its long-term trajectories remains unclear. This study aimed to examine whether age at menarche (AAM), age at menopause (AMP) and reproductive span (RS) predict long-term frailty trajectories in middle-aged and older women. METHOD: Data were analyzed from four waves (2011-2018) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Frailty was measured using the frailty index (FI), and trajectories were identified via latent category growth modeling (LCGM). Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses assessed the associations of reproductive factors with FI trajectories. RESULTS: Among 2775 women, FI trajectories were classified into two groups: 'low-stable' ( = 1961) and 'high-rising' ( = 814). Compared with women who had menopause at ages 46-54 years, those with AMP ≤45 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.377, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.073-1.766) or AMP ≥55 years (OR = 1.558, 95% CI: 1.113-2.181) had higher odds of following the 'high-rising' frailty trajectory. Similarly, RS < 26 years (OR = 1.810, 95% CI: 1.277-2.566) or RS ≥40 years (OR = 1.734, 95% CI: 1.123-2.678) were associated with increased odds of the 'high-rising' trajectory. AAM was not significantly associated with frailty trajectories. CONCLUSIONS: Early or late menopause and extreme RS are associated with worsening frailty trajectories.
Complementary therapies for management of menopausal symptoms: a systematic review to inform the update of the International Menopause Society recommendations on women's midlife health.
Maunder A, Mardon AK, Rao V … +13 more , Torkel S, Metri NJ, Liu J, Yang G, Giese N, Mantzioris E, Abdul Jafar NK, Rodrigues de Souza GE, Al-Kanini I, Romero L, Panay N, Pedder H, Ee C
Climacteric · 2026 Apr · PMID 41498229 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Menopausal hormone therapy is standard treatment, but some women use complementary therapies. This review examines complementary therapies for menopause to inform International Menopause Society (IMS) recommen...
OBJECTIVE: Menopausal hormone therapy is standard treatment, but some women use complementary therapies. This review examines complementary therapies for menopause to inform International Menopause Society (IMS) recommendations. METHOD: A systematic search of six databases (January 2022-December 2024) identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews on complementary therapies for menopause. Outcomes included menopausal, vasomotor, genitourinary, cardiometabolic, sleep symptoms, bone health and safety. The study quality and certainty of evidence were evaluated using Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB2), A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR 2) and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS: From 3187 citations, 158 studies were included: one overview, 36 meta-analyses, seven systematic reviews and 114 RCTs. While promising evidence was found for acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), herbs, nutrients, mind-body/touch therapies for a variety of symptoms, most was of low/very low certainty. High-certainty evidence supports vitamin D safety; and moderate-certainty evidence supports black cohosh (vasomotor/menopausal symptoms), CHM (menopausal symptoms, sleep, blood pressure), acupuncture + CHM (sleep) and vitamin D (fracture risk). Most complementary therapies are safe. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D, black cohosh, CHM and acupuncture + CHM may improve some menopausal symptoms, but overall evidence remains limited. More rigorous research is needed on the efficacy and safety of complementary therapies for menopause.
Managing with evidence: the International Menopause Society (IMS) recommendations.
Panay N, Hillard T
Climacteric · 2025 Dec · PMID 41433055 · Publisher ↗
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International Menopause Society (IMS) recommendations and key messages on women's midlife health and menopause.
Panay N, Fenton A, Hamoda H … +6 more , Hillard T, Islam R, Pedder H, Romero L, Vincent AJ, IMS Recommendations Writing Group
Climacteric · 2025 Dec · PMID 41433054 · Publisher ↗
Following a rigorous systematic review of the literature, the International Menopause Society (IMS) has produced detailed new recommendations and key messages on women’s midlife health, menopause and menopause hormone th...
Following a rigorous systematic review of the literature, the International Menopause Society (IMS) has produced detailed new recommendations and key messages on women’s midlife health, menopause and menopause hormone therapy (MHT) to help guide healthcare professionals to optimize their support and guidance to women at this critical stage of life. The term MHT has been used to cover therapies including estrogens, progestogens, gonadomimetics and combined regimens. This guidance provides a summary of the recommendations and key messages generated from the systematic review process. The longer version, including the detailed text, key meta-analyses, references, figures and supplementary materials, will be published simultaneously online and can be accessed via the IMS website (https://www.imsociety.org/statements/ims-recommendations/). The quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations used in this guideline are based on the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) approaches. The new recommendations now include levels of evidence, grades of recommendations, good practice points and key messages. The recommendations were developed by a body of 38 authors and 27 support team members derived from the IMS and other organizations. Global stakeholder surveys, targeted at both healthcare providers and consumers, were initially conducted to identify the key questions. A Publication Steering Committee (PSC) provided oversight of the process through regular meetings and ensured consistency of methodology. By the end of the process, 30 completed sections were submitted by the authors to individual lead reviewers selected from the PSC to provide peer review and finally endorsed by the PSC, IMS board and stakeholders. Overall, 342 recommendations (285 supported by research data and 57 good practice points) and 40 key messages have been formulated. These span a diverse range of health topics, including lifestyle, midlife body changes, vasomotor symptoms, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, osteoporosis, cardiometabolic health, dementia, premature ovarian insufficiency and various malignancies. A new section addresses the often-overlooked topic of sarcopenia which requires urgent attention. Current controversial topics, such as the influence of the media, the role of the pharmaceutical industry and publication ethics, are also explored. The overall aim of these recommendations and guidelines is to provide the blueprint for support and guidance to women on midlife health and menopause, given the latest available evidence. In preparing these international recommendations, experts have endeavored to consider geographical variations in medical care, prevalence of diseases/conditions, symptom severity, availability and licensing of MHT and alternatives, and country-specific attitudes of the public, medical community and health authorities towards menopause management.
Follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and adiposity trajectories in postmenopausal women.
Yue Y, Lima SM, Hovey KM … +11 more , Bea JW, Wactawski-Wende J, Manson JE, Roe D, Funk JL, Odegaard AO, Ziller SG, Wallace R, Jung SY, Cauley JA, Ochs-Balcom HM
Climacteric · 2026 Jun · PMID 41428435 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Postmenopause is characterized by changes in reproductive hormones and body composition. Preclinical evidence suggests that follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) may increase adiposity, but epidemiologic research...
OBJECTIVE: Postmenopause is characterized by changes in reproductive hormones and body composition. Preclinical evidence suggests that follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) may increase adiposity, but epidemiologic research is limited. This study examined whether postmenopausal FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) are related to adiposity changes. METHOD: The sample included 675 postmenopausal women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Buffalo Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease (OsteoPerio) study with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measures. Adiposity measures included visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue, body mass index, and total and percent body fat. Group-based trajectory models and generalized estimating equation models estimated associations of baseline FSH and LH with 17-year adipose trajectories and longitudinal measures of adiposity, respectively. RESULTS: The study estimated three trajectories for adiposity measures, corresponding to low, medium and high levels of adiposity over time. Higher baseline concentration of FSH and LH was associated with reductions in adiposity measures over time. An increase of 1 mIU/ml in FSH was associated with a 0.55 cm reduction in VAT (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.69, -0.40); and an increase of 1 mIU/ml in LH was associated with a 0.81 cm reduction in VAT (95% CI: -1.09, -0.52). CONCLUSION: Higher circulating FSH and LH were associated with lower adipose trajectories and lower adiposity levels in older postmenopausal women, counter to our hypothesis. Future research is needed on the relationship between gonadotropins and adiposity during the postmenopausal period.
Younger midlife females with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: respiratory disturbances during sleep.
Gravelsins L, Gervais NJ, Brown A … +6 more , Ramana S, Zhao S, Nicoll G, Bernardini MQ, Jacobson M, Einstein G
Climacteric · 2026 Apr · PMID 41428410 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: There are many menopauses; bilateral oophorectomy is associated with the worst cognitive outcomes. Compared to females with intact ovaries, females with bilateral oophorectomy experience early, abrupt ovarian...
OBJECTIVE: There are many menopauses; bilateral oophorectomy is associated with the worst cognitive outcomes. Compared to females with intact ovaries, females with bilateral oophorectomy experience early, abrupt ovarian hormone loss and are at increased risk for later-life Alzheimer's disease. They also have double the odds of developing later-life sleep disordered breathing (SDB) - a modifiable Alzheimer's risk factor. With respect to bilateral oophorectomy, it is unknown when respiratory disturbances occur or whether estradiol therapy (ET) ameliorates them. Also unknown is whether SDB influences cognition in this group. METHOD: Females with risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) taking ET (BSO+ET, = 19) or not (BSO, = 16) and premenopausal age-matched controls (AMC, = 17) were assessed for SDB markers using take-home polysomnography and for working memory performance. RESULTS: The BSO group showed signs of respiratory disturbance compared to the AMC group. Memory performance was uncorrelated with respiratory metrics. While the BSO+ET group showed an intermediate sleep phenotype, estrone glucuronide levels correlated with improved respiratory metrics. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that respiratory disturbances manifest as early as 5 years post-BSO in younger females; ET offers some amelioration. The close relationship between sleep disruption and Alzheimer's risk emphasizes the importance of SDB screening post-BSO for early intervention.
Safety and performance of photobiomodulation delivered by vaginal probe in patients with genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
Salerno J, Serrand C, Kabani S … +3 more , Chevallier T, de Tayrac R, Marès P
Climacteric · 2026 Apr · PMID 41404945 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) has a negative impact on quality of life. Treatments for GSM are largely hormonal, yet some patients remain symptomatic after recommended treatments. Photobiomodulatio...
OBJECTIVE: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) has a negative impact on quality of life. Treatments for GSM are largely hormonal, yet some patients remain symptomatic after recommended treatments. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a promising non-hormonal technique. METHOD: In this prospective, first-in-human, medical device safety study, postmenopausal patients with pelvic pain due to vaginal atrophy after failure of non-invasive therapies for >3 months were recruited. Exclusion criteria included pelvic pain of physical and/or psychological origin, treatment for cancer or immunosuppression. Patients received six weekly PBMT sessions using the MILTA GYNECO vaginal probe (PHYSIOQUANTA). The primary outcome was device safety, according to patient-reported adverse events. Secondary outcomes were vaginal mucosal health (vaginal health index [VHI]), pain (0-10 visual analog scale), vaginal flora and patient satisfaction (Patient Global Impression of Change [PGI-C]). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were recruited and analyzed, with an average age of 58.7 years. In total, 148 adverse events were declared, of which 146 were minor (grade I) and most were for heat sensation (89.2%). Significant improvements were found in pain during intercourse (7.65 [±1.95] before versus 3.89 [±2.44] after, < 0.0001) and in vaginal health according to the VHI score (12.68 [±4.20] before versus 17.63 [±4.35] after, < 0.0001). According to the PGI-C score, most patients rated their condition as improved. CONCLUSION: Even when applying a broad definition for adverse events, these preliminary data suggested that PBMT using the MILTA GYNECO vaginal probe was safe, with high patient satisfaction. The next step is to assess the efficacity of the medical device in a randomized trial.
Prevalence of menopausal hormone therapy usage in symptomatic postmenopausal women in Australia.
Grant J, Bond M, Islam RM … +1 more , Davis SR
Climacteric · 2026 Apr · PMID 41396000 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report the prevalence of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) usage in symptomatic postmenopausal women in Australia. METHOD: The Australian Midlife Years Study is a nationally representative,...
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report the prevalence of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) usage in symptomatic postmenopausal women in Australia. METHOD: The Australian Midlife Years Study is a nationally representative, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of women aged 40-69 years that included current MHT usage and menopausal symptoms. Data were collected during October 2023-March 2024. RESULTS: Of 8086 participants, 10.8% of postmenopausal respondents reported MHT use. Further analysis was limited to 2503 potential MHT users (postmenopausal with vasomotor symptoms; 77.5%, = 1941) or current users (22.5%; = 562). The absolute number of MHT users was greatest amongst those aged 50-59 years ( = 309/1304, 24%), but the greatest proportion of use was amongst those aged 40-49 years (96/319, 30%). MHT use was less likely for participants who had body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 kg/m or ≥30 kg/m versus BMI of 18.5-29.9 kg/m ( < 0.05 for all), were smokers ( < 0.001), were unemployed but seeking work versus in paid employment ( = 0.003) or were of non-European ancestry ( < 0.05). Education beyond high school ( 0.002) and past hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy were associated with greater likelihoods of MHT use ( < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fewer than one-quarter of symptomatic postmenopausal Australian women were using MHT, with socio-demographic variables predicting use. The overall use remains similar to that reported a decade ago.
Single nucleotide variants in and genes associated with osteoporosis in Mexican women.
Sevilla-Montoya R, Flores-Quijano ME, Tolentino-Dolores MC … +10 more , Martínez-Meza Y, Ortiz-Luna GF, Castañeda-de-la-Fuente A, López-Rodriguez L, Rodríguez-González G, León-Madero LF, Borboa-Olivares H, Velázquez-Cruz R, Fernández-Hernández L, Hidalgo-Bravo A
Climacteric · 2026 Jun · PMID 41385400 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis is a prevalent multifactorial disease. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been studied as a potential tool for estimating disease risk. These findings suggest that the GG genotype of rs2282679...
OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis is a prevalent multifactorial disease. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been studied as a potential tool for estimating disease risk. These findings suggest that the GG genotype of rs2282679 in the vitamin D-binding protein () gene may confer a protective effect against osteoporosis in postmenopausal Mexican women, whereas no significant association was found for rs4516035 in the vitamin D receptor (VDR). This highlights the potential of integrating genetic screening, particularly of GC-related variants, into osteoporosis risk assessment and prevention strategies. METHOD: A total of 535 women were included. Genotyping was performed through TaqMan assays, and association analyses, including the chi-squared test and logistic regression, were conducted considering different inheritance models. RESULTS: The allelic frequencies from both SNVs did not show a statistically significant difference between the groups of cases and controls. However, through logistic regression analyses for rs2282679, the GG genotype of the rs2282679 was associated with a protective effect under both recessive and additive inheritance models in unadjusted (odds ratio [OR] 0.27, confidence interval [CI] 0.11-0.63, = 0.003; OR 0.26, CI 0.11-0.63, = 0.003, respectively) and adjusted (OR 0.13, CI 0.03-0.55, = 0.006; OR 0.13, CI 0.03-0.57, = 0.007, respectively) models. CONCLUSION: The GG genotype of rs2282679 seems to confer protection against osteoporosis. Further research, including functional validation and studies in larger and diverse cohorts, is warranted to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms and confirm these results.
Chai-shen powder treated perimenopausal syndrome through the PI3K-Akt/cAMP signaling pathway: integrated clinical analysis, network pharmacology, microRNA and animal experiment.
Zheng A, Zhang L, Jiang Y … +3 more , Yu S, Li X, Han C
Climacteric · 2026 Apr · PMID 41379710 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the pharmacological mechanism of Chai-shen powder (CSP) in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) and to evaluate its clinical efficacy via clinical data mining, network pha...
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the pharmacological mechanism of Chai-shen powder (CSP) in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) and to evaluate its clinical efficacy via clinical data mining, network pharmacology, bioinformatics and experimental verification. METHOD: A single-group before-after control study analyzed CSP efficacy in 100 PMS cases using data mining. PMS datasets were retrieved from the GEO database to screen for differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs). Their mRNA targets were predicted using miRDB and miRWalk. These targets were considered therapeutic targets for PMS. CSP targets were screened from databases. The active components and key targets were identified by network pharmacology. The most important targets were confirmed by molecular docking. The prediction results of network pharmacology were verified by experiment. RESULTS: Data mining showed that the effective rate of CSP was 87.33%. Through bioinformatics and network pharmacology, 10 targets and nine chemical components were screened. CSP regulates hormone levels and inhibits ovarian injury of PMS through PI3K-Akt and cAMP signaling pathways and three key targets (SRC, PIK3CA and PRKACA). CONCLUSION: The clinical effective rate of CSP in this study was 87.33%. CSP may alleviate PMS by regulating hormone levels, mitigating ovarian injury and acting through multi-pathway, multi-target mechanisms.
First live births after non-fixation cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplantation in Japan.
Sako Y, Shioda K, Akitani F … +7 more , Kikuchi I, Kitano T, Ohara Y, Ishikawa T, Sugiyama M, Yokota Y, Hirata T
Climacteric · 2026 Feb · PMID 41358628 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report the first successful live births following ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT) in patients with cancer treatment-induced premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in Japan and evaluate...
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report the first successful live births following ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT) in patients with cancer treatment-induced premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in Japan and evaluate a novel non-fixation technique, the Circular String Arrangement. METHOD: Two patients who developed POI following treatment for Ewing sarcoma underwent OTT using our novel non-fixation technique. The Circular String Arrangement technique involves placing ovarian tissue fragments in a bead-like formation within peritoneal pockets. Both patients underwent assisted reproductive technology treatment following restoration of ovarian function. Histological examination was performed to assess minimal residual disease in the transplanted tissue. RESULTS: Both patients experienced successful restoration of ovarian function post transplantation. Following multiple oocyte retrievals, both women achieved pregnancy through vitrified-warmed embryo transfer, resulting in healthy live births at term. The Case 1 patient delivered vaginally at 40 weeks (birth weight 3462 g), whereas the Case 2 patient underwent cesarean section at 38 weeks due to pre-eclampsia (birth weight 2930 g). Laparoscopic examination confirmed successful tissue engraftment with visible follicular development. CONCLUSION: This study presents the first live births following OTT in cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced POI in Japan. The Circular String Arrangement technique showed feasibility for OTT, with successful engraftment and ovarian function restoration in both cases.
Shivam Yoga practice can reduce frequency and intensity of climacteric symptoms.
Cota E Souza LA, Reis IA, Lima AA
Climacteric · 2026 Apr · PMID 41257321 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Climacteric symptoms can significantly impair quality of life. Although various non-pharmacological interventions have been explored, the mid-term and long-term effects of yoga remain insufficiently investigat...
OBJECTIVE: Climacteric symptoms can significantly impair quality of life. Although various non-pharmacological interventions have been explored, the mid-term and long-term effects of yoga remain insufficiently investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Shivam Yoga practice on climacteric symptoms and hormone levels over 6, 12 and 24 months. METHOD: In this quasi-experimental controlled trial, 373 women aged 40-65 years were assigned to either a yoga or control group. Symptoms and hormone levels were assessed at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: A total of 182 women completed at least 6 months of follow-up. The yoga group showed a significant reduction in the frequency of moderate-to-severe symptoms (Kupperman Index >19) across all time points. Median Kupperman scores decreased by 12 points ( < 0.001) at 6 months, 12 points ( = 0.008) at 12 months and 16.5 points ( = 0.027) at 24 months. Improvements were observed in hot flashes, insomnia, nervousness, depressive symptoms, fatigue, arthralgia/myalgia, headache, palpitations and tinnitus. After 24 months, the yoga group also showed significantly higher estrogen and total testosterone levels than the control group. CONCLUSION: Regular Shivam Yoga practice significantly reduced climacteric symptoms over 24 months. These benefits may be mediated by hormonal changes, positioning Shivam Yoga as a promising complementary therapy for menopausal symptoms.
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