Menopause (New York, N.Y.)[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Body image concerns and their association with sexual self-efficacy and function in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study.
AliAghdami L, Nasiri-Amiri F, Nikbakht HA … +4 more , Barjasteh S, Adib-Rad H, Haghighi MM, Hajizade Valokolaee M
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41842753 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between body image concerns, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual function in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 459 postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years were recruited fro...
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between body image concerns, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual function in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 459 postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years were recruited from health care centers in Urmia, Iran, for this cross-sectional study using multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and three validated instruments: The Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Sexual Self-Efficacy Scale (SSE). The Spearman correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis, with statistical significance set at P<0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 52.0±4.5 years. The mean scores were 83.85±16.25 for the BICI, 14.55±8.27 for the SSE, and 16.55±4.94 for the FSFI. Body image concern showed strong negative correlations with both sexual self-efficacy (r=-0.876, P<0.001) and sexual function (r=-0.707, P<0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between sexual self-efficacy and sexual function (r=0.635, P<0.001). All FSFI domains demonstrated significant positive correlations with the total FSFI score, with the strongest association observed for orgasm (r=0.822, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher body image concerns are associated with lower sexual self-efficacy and sexual function in postmenopausal women. These cross-sectional findings are preliminary and cannot establish causality; they may guide future longitudinal or interventional studies.
Association of the Controlling Nutritional Status score with handgrip strength in postmenopausal women.
García-Alfaro P, Pérez-López FR, Sulé MA … +2 more , García S, Rodríguez I
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41805148 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and the degree of undernutrition with handgrip strength (HGS) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Th...
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and the degree of undernutrition with handgrip strength (HGS) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving 342 postmenopausal women. Age, age at menopause, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and smoking status were recorded. Serum albumin, creatinine, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, lymphocyte, total cholesterol, and uric acid were evaluated. HGS was measured using a digital dynamometer, the degree of undernutrition was assessed by the CONUT score, and physical activity was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Student t test, χ 2 test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multivariable logistic regression models were performed for data analysis. RESULTS: The global prevalence of malnutrition was 32.5%. HGS was negatively correlated with the CONUT score ( r =- 0.73, P <0.001). The multivariable linear regression model showed that the CONUT score was significantly associated with HGS (β = -1.5; 95% CI, -1.7 to -1.3). When the CONUT scores were categorized, the model showed that HGS was lower in both women with mild malnutrition (β = -4.4; 95% CI, -5.0 to -3.7) and with moderate-severe malnutrition (β= -6.0; 95% CI, -7.4 to -4.6) compared with those with normal nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: The CONUT undernutrition degree was associated with having worse HGS in postmenopausal women. This test score can be a useful tool for assessing the role of nutritional status on muscle strength loss.
When the clock shifts: menopause timing is associated with reduced cognitive performance and gray matter volume in a population-based cohort.
Schwarz N, Harlev D, Bergmann E … +1 more , Wolpe N
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41805147 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether earlier menopause is associated with reduced later-life cognitive performance and brain structure in a population-based cohort. It is among a few studies examining both cogniti...
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether earlier menopause is associated with reduced later-life cognitive performance and brain structure in a population-based cohort. It is among a few studies examining both cognition and neuroimaging within the same postmenopausal sample, and the first to test whether gray matter volume mediates the relationship between menopause timing and cognitive performance within the same sample. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Cambridge Centre of Neuroscience and Aging, including 747 postmenopausal women who underwent cognitive testing. A subset was additionally tested with a fluid intelligence test and structural brain scans. Multiple linear regression models evaluated the association between menopause age, cognitive performance, and gray matter volume, controlling for chronological age, education, depressive symptoms, and physical activity. RESULTS: Earlier menopause was associated with lower cognitive performance ( t717 =2.2, P =0.028) and fluid intelligence ( t153 =1.59, P =0.026). Structural imaging analyses (n=182) revealed that earlier menopause was associated with decreased total gray matter volume ( t182 =0.152, P =0.024). Exploratory mediation analysis showed that total gray matter volume partially mediated the relationship between age at menopause and cognitive performance ( P =0.006). CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based cohort, earlier menopause was associated with both lower cognitive performance and reduced gray matter volume, suggesting a potential mechanism linking earlier menopause to cognitive decline. However, the cross-sectional nature of this study prevents causal conclusions, and longitudinal research is needed to establish causal links and explore potential targeted interventions.
The association between mind-body exercise and depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women: the roles of urban-rural disparity, social support, and subjective well-being.
Zhu Y, Lei T, Li Y … +2 more , Cao Y, Zhang G
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41805143 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This exploratory, cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations between mind-body exercise and depressive symptoms among perimenopausal women, exploring the interconnected roles of social support and...
OBJECTIVE: This exploratory, cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations between mind-body exercise and depressive symptoms among perimenopausal women, exploring the interconnected roles of social support and subjective well-being. In addition, we assessed whether these associations varied by urban-rural residence. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Southwest China (2022-2024) involving 709 perimenopausal women. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the pattern of relationships, and indirect associations via social support and subjective well-being were explored. Multiple group analysis tested for differences by residence. Random Forest was used to identify key correlates. RESULTS: Depressed women exhibited significantly lower levels of mind-body exercise, social support, and subjective well-being compared with nondepressed women ( P <0.001). Urban residents reported significantly lower levels of mind-body exercise, social support, and subjective well-being, along with higher levels of depressive symptoms, compared with their rural counterparts (all P <0.001). Mediation analysis revealed significant indirect associations of mind-body exercise with depressive symptoms through social support and subjective well-being. Multiple group analysis indicated that the strength of these associations differed significantly by urban-rural residence. Random forest analysis confirmed social support and subjective well-being as key correlates. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional sample, mind-body exercise was associated with lower depressive symptoms in Chinese perimenopausal women. This association was linked to higher social support and subjective well-being. Urban-rural status was a salient factor in the overall association pattern. These exploratory findings highlight potential pathways for future longitudinal research to investigate.
Socioenvironmental factors associated with the severity of menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal Japanese women.
Ozeki C, Jung S, Takeuchi T … +3 more , Yoshida-Komiya H, Terauchi M, Nomura K
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41805137 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact of socioenvironmental factors on the severity of menopausal symptoms among perimenopausal Japanese women from a life-course perspective. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted...
OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact of socioenvironmental factors on the severity of menopausal symptoms among perimenopausal Japanese women from a life-course perspective. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using an internet panel survey in August 2023 among 1,980 Japanese women aged 45-56 years. Women hospitalized for depression or gynecologic disorders at the time of the study were excluded. Data on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and employment details were collected using Japanese-validated versions, including the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire and Kupperman Menopause Index. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with moderate or severe menopausal symptoms. RESULTS: Over half of the participants reported mild (26.8%), moderate (16.1%), or severe menopausal symptoms (7.8%). The median absolute presenteeism, where lower scores reflect greater performance impairment and consequently poorer job performance, was 60% in severe cases, 70% in moderate cases, and 80% in mild cases. After adjusting for age and body mass index, caregiving for an elderly family member, and those experiencing absolute presenteeism were associated with increased odds of moderate or severe symptoms. Conversely, women who received social support from their surrounding community were less likely to experience severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Socioenvironmental factors significantly impact the severity of menopausal symptoms. Supportive workplace policies and community may help mitigate these symptoms.
Independent and joint associations of loneliness and social isolation with subjective cognitive decline in perimenopausal women.
Lin X, Zhao X, Liu X … +3 more , Zhao D, Guo J, Li P
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41805136 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify the independent and joint associations of loneliness and social isolation with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) among perimenopausal women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was...
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify the independent and joint associations of loneliness and social isolation with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) among perimenopausal women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2024 and comprised 903 perimenopausal women. Subjective perceived loneliness, objective social isolation, and severity of SCD were measured using a set of self-reported online questionnaires. Latent class analysis was employed to determine the high-risk SCD groups among perimenopausal women, and restricted cubic spline model and logistic regression models were further utilized to investigate the independent and joint associations of loneliness and social isolation with SCD. RESULTS: The mean SCD score across all participants was 3.77 (SD=2.99). Latent class analysis categorized the participants into a "mild SCD group" (47.8%) and "severe SCD group" (52.2%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that both loneliness and social isolation were independently associated with SCD. Notably, joint analysis revealed that compared with participants without loneliness and social isolation, those with moderate to severe loneliness and social isolation exhibited the highest odds of severe SCD. Furthermore, significant additive and multiplicative interactions were observed between moderate to severe loneliness and social isolation. CONCLUSION: In perimenopausal populations, loneliness and social isolation were not only independently associated with SCD but also exhibited a joint relationship. These findings offer deeper insights into understanding the relationship between social connections and SCD, and provide empirical evidence for developing psychosocial interventions aimed at preserving cognitive health in perimenopausal women.
Development and bioavailability testing of an estetrol and estetrol-zinc-containing vaginal hydrogel: a novel hydroxyethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin-based formulation.
Takacs P, Rátonyi D, Kozma B … +5 more , Kunkli A, Fenyvesi F, Larson K, Sipos AG, Kozma B
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41805135 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) significantly impacts postmenopausal women, yet conventional treatments, such as vaginal estrogen creams, have limitations related to adherence and efficacy. This stud...
OBJECTIVE: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) significantly impacts postmenopausal women, yet conventional treatments, such as vaginal estrogen creams, have limitations related to adherence and efficacy. This study aims to develop and evaluate a novel hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)-based bioadhesive vaginal hydrogel containing estetrol (E4) and estetrol-zinc, with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) as an excipient, to enhance drug retention, bioavailability, and patient compliance. METHODS: The hydrogel formulations (E4/200 and E4/200/CN) were prepared and characterized for solubility, stability, and drug release. In vitro biocompatibility was assessed using HaCaT keratinocyte and reconstituted human vaginal epithelium models through methyl tetrazolinium (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assays. Permeability was evaluated using a reconstructed vaginal epithelial model. Statistical significance was determined using appropriate tests ( t test, ANOVA). RESULTS: The phase-solubility study demonstrated a stable 1:1 complexation between E4 and HPβCD, improving drug solubility. The hydrogels exhibited excellent biocompatibility, without cytotoxic effects on vaginal epithelial cells ( P <0.0001). Permeability testing confirmed E4 retention within vaginal tissues, reducing systemic exposure. The hydrogel formulations ensured sustained and controlled drug release. CONCLUSIONS: The estetrol-containing HEC-based and HPβCD-based vaginal hydrogel is nontoxic, and the estetrol is readily bioavailable. The formulation enhances estetrol bioavailability while ensuring localized, controlled release and optimizing therapeutic efficacy. Future clinical trials are required to confirm in vivo effectiveness and long-term safety.
The association between extreme weather events and depression risk in postmenopausal women: cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).
Ren J, Li Q, Gao Q … +5 more , Guo L, Niu D, Wang S, Chang Z, Feng X
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41774492 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Investigating the association between different types of extreme weather events and the risk of depression in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudin...
OBJECTIVE: Investigating the association between different types of extreme weather events and the risk of depression in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) covering four waves from 2011 to 2018, with a focus on postmenopausal women aged 45 and older. Depression symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10). Based on baseline data from 2011, five types of extreme weather exposure indicators (extreme low temperature [LTD], extreme high temperature [HTD], extreme rainfall [ERD], extreme drought [EDD], and the climate physical risk index [CPRI]) were used to construct generalized linear models to analyze the associations between these five extreme weather exposures and the baseline (2011) prevalence of depression among postmenopausal women. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to assess the relationship between baseline extreme weather exposures and the incidence of new depression (2013-2018). Restrictive cubic splines (RCS) were used to test the nonlinear relationship between exposure and depression, and quantile g-computation was used to examine the joint effects of multiple extreme weather exposures. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional analysis of 5,986 participants, the depression prevalence was 35.9% (2,147 cases). After adjusting for confounding factors, HTD (OR=1.007, 95% CI: 1.005-1.011, P<0.05), EDD (OR=1.016, 95% CI: 1.010-1.022, P<0.001), and CPRI (OR=1.019, 95% CI: 1.009-1.029, P<0.001) were positively associated with depression, whereas ERD was negatively associated (OR=0.994, 95% CI: 0.990-0.998, P<0.05). Restrictive cubic spline (RCS) analysis revealed nonlinear associations between ERD, CPRI, and LTD (P_Nonlinear < 0.05). In the longitudinal analysis, which included 3,839 participants, LTD (HR=1.014, 95% CI: 1.002-1.025, P=0.017) and CPRI (HR=1.012, 95% CI: 1.002-1.022, P=0.022) were significantly associated with the risk of incident depression, and further RCS analysis revealed that LTD and EDD showed nonlinear associations (P_Nonlinear < 0.05), while CPRI exhibited a linear association (P_Nonlinear > 0.05). Quantile g-computation identified EDD and HTD as the main positive risk contributors, with an overall trend of increased risk associated with climate exposure. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals significant associations between various extreme weather exposures and depression in postmenopausal women. Although these effects are small, they may accumulate over long-term exposure or in high-risk populations, potentially leading to greater public health impacts at the population level. This research provides important empirical support for a deeper understanding of the effects of climate change on mental health.
Climacteric and sleep in women with prior COVID-19: pilot study.
Dimov LC, Tufik S, Hachul H
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41774491 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate sleep quality, hot flashes, and climacteric symptoms in women with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection at the Women's Sleep Clinic of Hospital São Paulo. To determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection...
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate sleep quality, hot flashes, and climacteric symptoms in women with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection at the Women's Sleep Clinic of Hospital São Paulo. To determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this Clinic and to compare sleep quality, frequency of hot flashes, and climacteric symptoms between women with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and those without. METHODS: This is an analytical, observational, cross-sectional study, using a convenience sample from a Women's Sleep Clinic. The evaluation was conducted using the Menopause Rating Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Kupperman Index, questions about previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, daily frequency of hot flashes, and sociodemographic data. Eighty-five women were included in the study, and the sample was distributed among women with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection (34) and women without (51). Group comparisons were performed using Generalized Linear Models (GzLM) with appropriate distributions, and associations were analyzed with Spearman correlation, with P<0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Women with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection showed significantly worse levels in the physical (4.54±0.25; Wald=10.6; P=0.001) and sexual (3.42±0.33; Wald=6.38; P=0.012) domains of the Menopause Rating Scale, reflecting a worse overall quality of life score (4.35±0.23; Wald=8.71; P=0.003). CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, comparison between groups, women with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection had worse levels in the physical and sexual domains of the Menopause Rating Scale.
Vasomotor symptoms and heart failure in midlife women of the CARDIA study.
Ebong IA, Kim C, Schreiner PJ … +2 more , Lewis C, Appiah D
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41774021 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Current evidence has demonstrated associations of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) with cardiovascular disease risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between VMS and incident heart fai...
OBJECTIVE: Current evidence has demonstrated associations of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) with cardiovascular disease risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between VMS and incident heart failure (HF) is unknown. We evaluated the associations of VMS occurrence over the study duration and VMS intensity at baseline with incident HF in a large cohort of middle-aged Black and White women. METHODS: We included 2,026 middle-aged Black and White women from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study who participated in the 2000-2001 study exam (baseline). VMS intensity was categorized as moderate-to-severe for participants who reported VMS that bothered or limited their activities a lot, and mild for those who reported VMS that bothered or limited their activities a little or not at all. HF events were recorded till the end of follow-up in 2022. Cox proportional hazards models were used for analysis. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of participants was 40.2 (3.7) years. Out of 518 women who experienced VMS at baseline, 107 reported moderate-to-severe VMS. Thirty-two women developed fatal or nonfatal HF over a median (IQR) follow-up of 22.8 (22.5-23.0) years. Neither VMS occurrence during follow-up, moderate-to-severe or mild VMS intensity at baseline were significantly associated with HF incidence, hazard ratios (95% CI): 0.58 (0.23-1.42), 0.62 (0.17-2.25) and 0.45 (0.12-1.69), respectively. However, our analysis was limited by a few HF events, which restricted our ability to make definite conclusions. CONCLUSION: VMS occurrence and VMS intensity were not significantly associated with HF incidence among middle-aged women, possibly due to limited statistical power.
Vaginal estrogen therapy utilization and associated outcomes in younger survivors of endometrial cancer.
Hsu CD, Yu X, Richardson G … +6 more , Kuo YF, Guo F, Adekanmbi V, Hoang TN, Sharma P, Berenson AB
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41774009 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the utilization of vaginal estrogen therapy (ET) and outcomes associated with its use among younger endometrial cancer survivors, using a propensity score-matched cohort. METHODS: We conducted a c...
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the utilization of vaginal estrogen therapy (ET) and outcomes associated with its use among younger endometrial cancer survivors, using a propensity score-matched cohort. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study using data from the TriNetX database's US Collaborative Network, which includes electronic health records and insurance claims data from 68 health care organizations. Women 18-51 years old diagnosed with endometrial cancer between November 1, 2005, and December 31, 2023, were included. We used 1:1 propensity score matching to create cohorts with and without vaginal ET in the year after their endometrial cancer diagnosis. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs for the primary outcome of endometrial cancer recurrence and assessed the risks of negative control outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 1,412 endometrial cancer survivors with vaginal ET and 23,859 without vaginal ET. After propensity score matching, the vaginal ET and non-ET groups included 1,412 individuals each. The mean ET treatment duration was 1.88 years (SD, 0.36 y). Endometrial cancer recurrence risk was not increased among those with vaginal ET use (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.60-1.27). CONCLUSIONS: Endometrial cancer survivors with short-term exposure to vaginal ET did not have an elevated risk of endometrial cancer recurrence compared with those without vaginal ET.
A survey of Brazilian gynecologists' prescribing practices and attitudes toward testosterone use in women.
Valadares ALR, Lopes da Silva-Filho A, Costa Paiva L
Menopause · 2026 Feb · PMID 41733552 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: Evaluate gynecologists' knowledge regarding the indications and attitudes toward testosterone therapy (TT). METHODS: Cross-sectional survey with an 18-question questionnaire covering TT indications, routes, a...
OBJECTIVES: Evaluate gynecologists' knowledge regarding the indications and attitudes toward testosterone therapy (TT). METHODS: Cross-sectional survey with an 18-question questionnaire covering TT indications, routes, and doses usually prescribed for women. The questionnaire was answered by 1,213 out of the 6,000 gynecologists (20.2%) from the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics online or on tablets during the 62nd Brazilian Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics in 2025. RESULTS: Of the sample, 58.9% were aged 31-49, 70.6% were women, 59.20% had 10 or more years since medical school graduation, and 98.4% had completed residency. Ninety-five percent sometimes prescribed TT for hypoactive sexual desire disorder, 85.5% for other indications, 93.9% sometimes for perimenopausal or postmenopausal women, 90.1% sometimes for premenopausal women, and 66% agreed or partially agreed to prescribe for breast cancer patients. The treatment was based on low testosterone levels, always or sometimes, for 90.1%. About 85.6% of gynecologists aimed for TT to reach the reference range for premenopausal women, and 91.2% believed adverse effects sometimes occurred. Of the total, 93.9% prescribed TT using compounded gels or creams, 54.9% implants, 38% used gels for males, 28.5% used oral forms, 28.3% used injections, and 10% used testosterone implants. In total, 78.1% believed treatment should last up to 6 months, 69.3% thought informed consent should be obtained, and 72% believed there should be an approved TT treatment for women. CONCLUSIONS: Brazilian gynecologists widely prescribe TT for various indications, relying heavily on compounded and unapproved formulations. This practice highlights a critical need for using correct routes of testosterone to avoid supraphysiological levels and the availability of approved, standardized TT options for women.
Never too old to play: patterns in sex toy use among older women.
Kelley EL
Menopause · 2026 Apr · PMID 41733538 · Publisher ↗
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Intrauterine devices, contraception, and mood changes: what to watch for.
Soares CN
Menopause · 2026 May · PMID 41733535 · Publisher ↗
Endogenous hormone changes can, for some women, contribute to mood fluctuations and the emergence of anxiety throughout the reproductive life cycle, negatively affecting well-being and functioning. Similarly, the use of...
Endogenous hormone changes can, for some women, contribute to mood fluctuations and the emergence of anxiety throughout the reproductive life cycle, negatively affecting well-being and functioning. Similarly, the use of hormone-based therapies-whether for contraceptive purposes, hormone suppression, or managing menopause-related symptoms-may be associated with psychological adverse effects, including irritability, depressed mood, and anxiety. Clinicians should be prepared to address these issues when discussing different contraceptive methods and when considering the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of various hormone-based treatments.
Joint pain and menopause.
Manno RL
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41718610 · Full text
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Association between reproductive span and postmenopausal metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study in China.
Huang X, Hua Y
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41718609 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome(MS) among postmenopausal women is increasing, becoming a pressing public health issue. Despite extensive research, the precise etiology of MS in postmenopausal women remai...
OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome(MS) among postmenopausal women is increasing, becoming a pressing public health issue. Despite extensive research, the precise etiology of MS in postmenopausal women remains unclear. There is a relative lack of research exploring the association between reproductive span and MS, and the conclusions were inconsistent. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between reproductive span and MS in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2015 follow-up of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The data set included household questionnaire information, physical examination data, and blood test results for the respondents. Total sample size: 2,801. A multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between reproductive span and MS in postmenopausal women in China. RESULTS: As the age at menarche increased, the prevalence of obesity and high triglycerides decreased(P<0.05); as the age at menopause increased, the prevalence of hyperglycemia and hypertension increased(P<0.05); as the reproductive span extended, the prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia all increased (P<0.05). After adjusting for age, body mass index, education level, smoking, alcohol consumption, number of meals per day, and sleep duration, the reproductive span remained statistically significant between the MS group and the non-MS group. When the reproductive span was treated as a continuous variable, the odds ratio (OR) was 1.019 (95% CI: 1.001-1.038), and the longer the reproductive span, the higher the odds of MS (P=0.042). The OR (95% CI) values for a reproductive span of 32 to 35 years and ≥36 years were 1.305 (95% CI: 1.077-1.581) and 1.381 (95% CI: 1.117-1.708), respectively, both of which were statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The longer the reproductive span of postmenopausal women, the higher the prevalence of MS.
The night sweats of menopause: what do they look like and why does it matter?
Reame NK
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41718608 · Publisher ↗
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Treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy is associated with high levels of satisfaction and improves symptom severity and patient-reported outcomes: 12-month results of the PatieEnt satisfactiON studY (PEONY).
Meriggiola MC, Villa P, Cagnacci A … +9 more , Luisi S, Simoncini T, Stomati M, Lami A, Di Paolantonio T, Marsini S, Nicolucci A, Puglielli C, Nappi RE
Menopause · 2026 Jul · PMID 41701634 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the benefits demonstrated after 6 months of treating vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) with ospemifene and local vaginal estrogen therapy (LET) were maintained after 12 months. To assess the persi...
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the benefits demonstrated after 6 months of treating vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) with ospemifene and local vaginal estrogen therapy (LET) were maintained after 12 months. To assess the persistence and adherence to treatments, as well as the satisfaction of participants and associated factors. METHODS: Longitudinal, observational study conducted in 17 Italian gynecology centers involving women already under treatment (LET or ospemifene) or new users. Participants complete questionnaires at baseline (T0), after 3 (T3), 6 (T6), and 12 months (T12). The main outcome measures were treatment satisfaction, severity of symptoms, Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging (DIVA), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R), and Short Form-12 (SF-12) Health Survey. RESULTS: Among the 385 women included in the study, 145 (37.7%) were treated with ospemifene, and 240 (62.3%) with LET. Overall, 75.9% of women treated with ospemifene and 78.7% with LET completed the 12-month follow-up. In the ospemifene group, the treatment satisfaction score improved from 7.02 (95% CI, 6.64-7.39) at T3 to 8.32 (95% CI, 7.78-8.86) at T12 ( P <0.0001), while in the LET group the score improved from 7.36 (95% CI, 7.06-7.66) to 7.79 (95% CI, 7.5-8.08) ( P =0.001). In multivariate analysis, women treated with ospemifene had an almost threefold higher likelihood of reporting a clinically relevant improvement (effect size ≥0.5) in satisfaction score (OR=2.85; 95%CI, 1.33-6.11). The likelihood of moderate/severe VVA symptoms and urinary symptoms significantly decreased in both groups. DIVA and FSDS-R scores significantly improved in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The PatiEnt satisfactiON studY (PEONY) documents the high effectiveness, satisfaction, and persistence after 12 months with LET or ospemifene in women with VVA.
Endogenous sex hormones, sex hormone-binding globulin, and muscle health: insights into sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity from the Women's Health Initiative.
Osmancevic A, Daka B, Larson JC … +5 more , Allison M, Burney RO, Shadyab AH, Cauley JA, Crandall CJ
Menopause · 2026 Jul · PMID 41701631 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: The relationship between sex hormones and lean body mass in postmenopausal women is unclear. To address this, we conducted a longitudinal observational study using data from the Women's Health Initiative study...
OBJECTIVE: The relationship between sex hormones and lean body mass in postmenopausal women is unclear. To address this, we conducted a longitudinal observational study using data from the Women's Health Initiative study. METHODS: We analyzed endogenous serum sex hormones and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) at baseline in 1,565 postmenopausal women not using hormone therapy, who underwent 3 lean body mass measurements over 6 years. Sex hormone concentrations were assessed at baseline using radioimmunoassay. Lean body mass was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at baseline, year 3 and 6. Free estradiol and free testosterone concentrations were calculated. Each sex hormone was analyzed independently of the other hormones. Associations between sex hormones or SHBG were examined using repeated-measures linear regression for lean mass and repeated-measures logistic regression for sarcopenia/sarcopenic obesity. Regression models were adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, lifestyle, and metabolic confounders. RESULTS: Concentration of free testosterone in the highest quartile was associated with a 55% lower odds for sarcopenia compared with the lowest quartile (OR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.25-0.81). Similarly, individuals with the highest concentration of free estradiol had a 54% reduced odds of sarcopenia (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.28-0.76). Conversely, a higher concentration of SHBG at baseline was significantly associated with reduced total lean mass and a higher odds of sarcopenia. CONCLUSION: Among postmenopausal women, higher SHBG concentrations at baseline were associated with lower lean body mass and a higher odds of sarcopenia, while higher free estradiol and free testosterone concentrations were associated with a lower odds of sarcopenia.
Sleep disruption and its independent impact on midlife well-being: moving beyond vasomotor symptoms to address mental health and quality of life.
Cortés YI
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41701628 · Publisher ↗
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