Menopause (New York, N.Y.)[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Decision-making surrounding ovarian cancer risk-reducing surgery: perspectives from a diverse population.
Perez L, Kulkarni A, Keenahan L … +5 more , Chandler I, Chapman-Davis E, Rauh-Hain JA, Frey MK, Rosenberg S
Menopause · 2026 Apr · PMID 41589845 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: Individuals with BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PV) are recommended risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy between 35 and 45 years of age to prevent ovarian cancer. Trials evaluating the oncologic safety of risk-re...
OBJECTIVE: Individuals with BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PV) are recommended risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy between 35 and 45 years of age to prevent ovarian cancer. Trials evaluating the oncologic safety of risk-reducing salpingectomy are ongoing. One's decision on the type and timing of surgery has implications for fertility, quality of life, and long-term health. Published literature on patient preferences has focused on White women from North America and Europe; thus, findings are not necessarily generalizable to patients from other backgrounds. To address this gap, we sought to assess decision-making around ovarian cancer risk-reducing surgery among a racially and ethnically diverse population with BRCA1/2 PVs. METHODS: Between February 2023 and November 2023, patients with BRCA1/2 PVs were invited to participate in a one-time, semi-structured, one-on-one interview. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an inductive approach by two independent coders. RESULTS: Among 15 participants, the median age was 41 years (range 24-64). Ten participants identified as Hispanic, Black, or Asian. Two identified as gender queer. Six had a history of breast cancer. Ten had undergone risk-reducing surgery for ovarian cancer (seven salpingo-oophorectomy and three salpingectomy). Concerns about surgical menopause were a primary consideration for all participants. Other influencing factors included fertility, oncologic safety, history of breast cancer, sexual function, sense of control, gender identity, and mental health. CONCLUSION: This study identified themes that influenced decision-making among BRCA1/2 PV carriers considering or having undergone risk-reducing gynecologic surgery in a racially and ethnically diverse population. These insights can help clinicians better support patients undergoing this process, with the objective of providing patient-centered, culturally sensitive care.
Comparative analysis of information quality and reliability in premature ovarian insufficiency-related short videos: TikTok versus Bilibili in China.
Zhu J, Zhang Z, Li D
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41589844 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the quality and reliability of short videos related to premature ovarian failure on two major Chinese short video platforms, TikTok and Bilibili. METHODS: A total of 231 videos rel...
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the quality and reliability of short videos related to premature ovarian failure on two major Chinese short video platforms, TikTok and Bilibili. METHODS: A total of 231 videos related to premature ovarian failure (133 from TikTok and 98 from Bilibili) were analyzed up until March 25, 2025. The video quality was evaluated using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), the modified DISCERN instrument (mDISCERN), and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) scoring system. Creator categories, content categories, duration, and interaction metrics (likes, comments, shares) were collected and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In the overall correlation analysis, there was a high positive correlation between interaction metrics ( r >0.7, P <0.05), whereas no significant correlation was found with video duration. A weak correlation was observed between quality scores and interaction metrics. TikTok was dominated by professional individuals (90.23% were verified users), and the content was primarily disease-related (67.67% was knowledge-based), whereas Bilibili was mainly composed of nonprofessional individuals (76.53%) with more diversified themes (such as lifestyle content accounting for 35.71%). The quality and reliability scores of TikTok videos were significantly higher than those of Bilibili (GQS median: 3.0 vs. 2.0; mDISCERN: 3.0 vs. 2.0; JAMA score: 1.0 vs. 0.0; P <0.001). TikTok videos were significantly shorter in duration than Bilibili videos ( P <0.001), and interaction metrics (likes, comments, shares, favorites) were significantly higher. CONCLUSIONS: TikTok performs better than Bilibili in terms of the dissemination of information on premature ovarian failure on online video platforms, although the overall quality is not ideal. The quality of videos uploaded by verified medical professionals can be considered relatively reliable. Optimizing platform algorithms to prioritize content from verified creators and standardizing content guidelines are crucial for information seekers to make informed medical decisions and improve public health literacy.
Associations between female caregivers' climacteric symptoms and adolescent mental health: findings from a National Japanese Cohort.
Morisaki N, Itoi S, Piedvache A … +3 more , Ishitsuka K, Shimoda M, Yoshida-Komiya H
Menopause · 2026 Jun · PMID 41556854 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations between caregivers' climacteric symptoms and adolescent mental health. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2023 wave of the Japan Adolescent and Youth (JAY)...
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations between caregivers' climacteric symptoms and adolescent mental health. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2023 wave of the Japan Adolescent and Youth (JAY) cohort, a nationally representative survey of caregiver-adolescent dyads. The sample included 1,541 dyads. Caregivers' symptoms were assessed using the Simplified Menopausal Index (SMI), comprising vasomotor, psychological, and somatic domains. Adolescent mental health was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS3), short version of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (Short-CAS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for Adolescents (PHQ-A), and Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ) for internet addiction. Multivariable regression analyses assessed associations between SMI scores and adolescent outcomes, adjusting for caregiver age, adolescent age, adolescent sex, and household income. RESULTS: Among caregivers, 26.4% reported moderate to severe climacteric symptoms (SMI score ≥51), and 4.6% were currently under treatment for menopause. Among caregivers not undergoing treatment, higher SMI scores were significantly associated with greater caregiver-reported difficulties with their adolescents, and increased adolescent reports of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and problematic internet use. Among the three domains of symptoms (vasomotor, psychological, and somatic), psychological climacteric symptoms showed the strongest associations with adolescent health outcomes. CONCLUSION: Caregivers' climacteric symptoms are associated with poorer adolescent mental health. Given low care-seeking rates, greater awareness and support for midlife health may benefit both caregivers and children, promoting broader family well-being.
Pelvic organ prolapse.
Ackenbom MF
Menopause · 2026 Mar · PMID 41556853 · Publisher ↗
Pelvic organ prolapse, defined as the descent of the vaginal and pelvic organs, can be associated with significant personal, social, and economic burden. Nonsurgical and surgical treatment options are available to women...
Pelvic organ prolapse, defined as the descent of the vaginal and pelvic organs, can be associated with significant personal, social, and economic burden. Nonsurgical and surgical treatment options are available to women who report bothersome symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse. Treatment choices are generally driven by the degree of burden experienced by each individual patient.
Use of hormone therapy in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency in tertiary hospitals in Saudi Arabia.
Malick SM, Aldhuaimi G, Albreacan L … +6 more , Hijazi R, Albedah N, Altwaijri Y, Mohamed G, Aldakhil H, Bilal L
Menopause · 2026 Jul · PMID 41556851 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To examine diagnostic and treatment patterns of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in tertiary care settings in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on hormone therapy (HT) use. METHODS: A retrospective chart review...
OBJECTIVE: To examine diagnostic and treatment patterns of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in tertiary care settings in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on hormone therapy (HT) use. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at three hospitals from February 2002 to May 2024. POI was defined as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) > 25 IU/L. Patients aged 40 years or below, who underwent FSH testing on the basis of classic symptoms, were identified. Inclusion criteria were limited to women 40 years or below who had undergone FSH testing with a FSH concentration level of >25 IU/L; exclusion criteria included incomplete demographic or clinical data and duplicate test records. Among 255,204 eligible patients, 22,420 underwent FSH testing, of whom 1,132 met POI criteria. We performed a sample size calculation based on a pilot dataset (prevalence of HT use = 35.7%). Based on this, 205 notes were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparative analysis. RESULTS: POI prevalence among tested women was 5.05% (95% CI: 4.77-5.34). Only 35.6% of women with POI received HT. Uptake was highest in genetically confirmed cases (62.1%) and lowest in cases with XY chromosomal abnormalities (8.3%) or iatrogenic causes (0%). Amenorrhea (42.4%) was the most common presenting symptom and significantly associated with HT use ( P = 0.001). HT uptake remained low despite diagnoses of osteopenia (6.8%) and osteoporosis (4.9%). CONCLUSIONS: HT is underutilized among women with POI in Saudi Arabia. Variability in prescription reflects systemic barriers, lack of national guidance, and insufficient physician training. Standardized protocols and structured follow-ups are urgently required to improve long-term health outcomes.
The effect of a midwife-led education program on menopause symptom severity and menopause-specific quality of life: a randomized controlled longitudinal study.
Benli TE, Atabey K, Aksoy Derya Y
Menopause · 2026 Jun · PMID 41556850 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a structured midwife-led education program on the severity of menopausal symptoms and menopause-specific quality of life, and to assess the sustainability of this eff...
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a structured midwife-led education program on the severity of menopausal symptoms and menopause-specific quality of life, and to assess the sustainability of this effect over time. METHOD: This randomized controlled longitudinal study included 101 women (intervention=51, control=50) aged 45-55 who were in the natural menopausal process. Participants in the intervention group received a structured education program over four weeks, whereas the control group received only routine follow-up. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire. Evaluations were performed at three time points: before the intervention, immediately after the education program, and at a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: After the program, the intervention group had a mean MENQOL posttest score of 111.25±32.51, compared with 173.06±3.31 in the control group, showing a significant difference ( P <0.001). The intervention group's posttest mean scores for all MENQOL subscales were also significantly lower than those of the control group ( P <0.001). In addition, MENQOL scores in the intervention group decreased over time, indicating an improvement in quality of life ( P <0.05). CONCLUSION: The structured menopause education program delivered under midwife guidance was identified as an effective and sustainable intervention for reducing the severity of menopausal symptoms and enhancing women's quality of life.
Postmenopausal hypoactive sexual desire disorder: ongoing challenges.
Zhu Z, Zhu L, Song B … +3 more , Wang C, Cao Y, Li G
Menopause · 2026 Jul · PMID 41556848 · Publisher ↗
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is the most common sexual dysfunction among women, and its pathogenesis is closely linked to an imbalance in the brain's excitation-inhibition system and underlying hormonal defic...
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is the most common sexual dysfunction among women, and its pathogenesis is closely linked to an imbalance in the brain's excitation-inhibition system and underlying hormonal deficiencies. While HSDD is not an inevitable result of aging, postmenopausal women face unique sexual health risks arising from the interplay of endocrine changes and age-related effects. References were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library using relevant search terms. Searches spanned publications from 2000 to June 2025, supplemented by key older studies identified from reference lists. Studies were screened for originality, clinical relevance, and alignment with the definition of HSDD in postmenopausal women; no language restrictions were applied. Despite the high prevalence of HSDD in postmenopausal women, clinical underdiagnosis and undertreatment remain widespread. Structural barriers-including inadequate provider training, limited treatment access, and underdeveloped policies/regulations-and broader societal barriers, encompassing interconnected factors like sexual and gender diversity, racial disparities, cultural contexts, discrimination, and stigmatization, persist. Future research should broaden study population diversity, resolve diagnostic criterion controversies, strengthen health care provider training, improve access to treatment resources, and advance policy reforms and targeted public education. These efforts aim to address systemic barriers, ultimately enhancing healthcare access and outcomes for postmenopausal women affected by HSDD.
Women's experiences of physical, psychological, and social dimensions of the climacteric: a qualitative study in Spain.
Megías-Puertas J, Romero-Del Rey R, Requena-Mullor M … +3 more , López Segura G, Alarcon-Rodriguez R, Garcia-Gonzalez J
Menopause · 2026 Jul · PMID 41556846 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore women's experiences during the climacteric, focusing on physical and psychological symptoms, coping strategies, and the role of sociocultural and contextual factors in shap...
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore women's experiences during the climacteric, focusing on physical and psychological symptoms, coping strategies, and the role of sociocultural and contextual factors in shaping their lived experience. METHODS: This descriptive qualitative study explored the experiences of 18 women in premenopause, menopause, or postmenopause in Spain, recruited through purposive sampling. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti software, with credibility ensured through triangulation and member checking. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (1) facing the climacteric: body and emotions in transition, encompassing vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbances, musculoskeletal pain, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, and psychological changes such as anxiety, sadness, and irritability; (2) coping and resilience during the climacteric stage, reflecting the use of personal strategies (exercise, diet changes, relaxation techniques) and social support, alongside dissatisfaction with limited and superficial health care responses; and (3) sociocultural perception of the climacteric, including stigma, lack of visibility, and insufficient understanding from family and workplace contexts. CONCLUSIONS: The climacteric is a multifaceted transition that impacts physical, emotional, social, sexual, and cultural well-being. Participants developed various coping strategies; however, they frequently described inadequate health care support and persistent social stigma, which contributed to isolation and invisibility. These findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive, empathetic health care, improved public education, and policies that normalize and support this natural life stage.
Association between decreased bone mineral density and dynapenia in postmenopausal women: a case-control study.
Rios-Escalante V, Perez-Barba JC, Espinel-Bermudez MC … +4 more , Xochitl T, Zavalza-Gomez AB, Hernandez-Ascencio P, Sanchez-Garcia S
Menopause · 2026 May · PMID 41529149 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and dynapenia in postmenopausal women. METHODS: An age-matched case-control study was conducted in postmenopausal women with and without...
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and dynapenia in postmenopausal women. METHODS: An age-matched case-control study was conducted in postmenopausal women with and without dynapenia. Assessments were carried out by measuring dominant handgrip strength with a Jamar dynamometer; BMI-adjusted cut-off points were applied. BMD was evaluated according to the World Health Organization criteria ( T -score ≤-1 SD), using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Hologic Horizon). The study included sociodemographic, anthropometric, body composition, biochemical, and lifestyle variables. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed, and unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs); statistical significance was set at P ≤0.05. The study adhered to national and international ethical standards. RESULTS: A total of 201 women were included in the study: 67 with dynapenia (cases) and 134 without (controls). Median ages were 68 years for cases and 66 years for controls. Dynapenia was significantly associated with decreased BMD (OR=3.89, 95% CI=1.31-11.56), high-very high visceral fat levels (OR=3.12, 95% CI=1.26-7.72), and polypharmacy (OR=2.16, 95% CI=1.05-4.63). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased BMD is associated with dynapenia in postmenopausal women, as well as with high-very high visceral fat levels and polypharmacy. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive assessment of musculoskeletal and metabolic risk factors in this population.
Associations between vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbances, and frequent mood changes individually and within symptom groups across the menopausal transition and early postmenopause: observations from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.
Maki PM, Inan Eroglu E, Janssenswillen C … +9 more , Frenz AK, Heeg S, Nadimi M, Genga K, Schoof N, Moeller C, Soehngen L, Halvorson L, Dinkel-Keuthage C
Menopause · 2026 Jun · PMID 41529146 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To explore associations between vasomotor symptoms (VMS), sleep disturbances, and frequent mood changes, and predictors of each, in women transitioning menopause. METHODS: Data were analyzed from the baseline...
OBJECTIVE: To explore associations between vasomotor symptoms (VMS), sleep disturbances, and frequent mood changes, and predictors of each, in women transitioning menopause. METHODS: Data were analyzed from the baseline and first 10 annual follow-up visits (1996-2008) from 2,066 participants in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation who had reached natural menopause. The visit closest to the final menstrual period (FMP) was considered as FMP 0; visits 5 years before/after were relabeled accordingly. Associations between symptoms over time were determined using generalized additive mixed models (GAMMS, for individual symptoms). Predictors of symptom groups were determined using Bayesian multinomial regression. RESULTS: Prevalence of VMS and sleep disturbances increased up to FMP+1, remaining >50% thereafter; frequent mood changes gradually decreased (47%-33%). In the GAMMs, VMS and sleep disturbances were each associated with double the odds of the other, and VMS and frequent mood changes were associated with ~50%-60% increased odds of the other. In the Bayesian models, the probability of experiencing VMS and sleep disturbances together increased with increasing age at FMP (~1.3 percentage points/year); the strongest predictors of experiencing all symptoms concurrently were high level of depression (an increase of 10 percentage points per 10-point increase in depression score) and high anxiety (46% vs. 15% probability for low anxiety). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the importance of identifying, monitoring and addressing VMS, sleep disturbances, and frequent mood changes specifically and collectively, and support a personalized approach to menopausal symptom management, with anxiety and depression being important considerations.
Tailoring transdermal estradiol dose to maximize benefits and minimize risks.
Glynne SJ, Simon JA
Menopause · 2026 Jun · PMID 41529140 · Publisher ↗
Transdermal estradiol is licensed to treat estradiol deficiency symptoms and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. There is no one-size-fits-all estradiol dose or serum concentration that will achieve symptom rel...
Transdermal estradiol is licensed to treat estradiol deficiency symptoms and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. There is no one-size-fits-all estradiol dose or serum concentration that will achieve symptom relief and bone protection in all women. Dose is usually titrated to symptom response, but measurement of serum estradiol concentration can be used to support or inform dose decisions in certain clinical scenarios. The optimal level for an individual varies according to tissue sensitivity (pharmacodynamic effects), the method used for estradiol quantitation (immunoassay vs. mass spectrometry), the clinical endpoint (symptoms vs. bone protection), and treatment goals, including patient preferences. An understanding of transdermal estradiol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and the limitations of the methods used to measure serum estradiol, is essential to ensure that all women who choose to use menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can reap the benefits and avoid the harms of over-treatment and under-treatment. Achieving and maintaining optimal estradiol levels for all MHT users is consistent with menopause guidelines that promote high-quality, patient-centred, personalized menopause care.
Melanoma presenting as a urethral caruncle.
Slyby JR, Harper AK, Aldrich ER
Menopause · 2026 Jun · PMID 41529138 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: A urethral caruncle is a common benign vulvar lesion in postmenopausal women. We describe a case of malignant melanoma that originally presented as a caruncle. METHODS: A 73-year-old female presented to the u...
OBJECTIVES: A urethral caruncle is a common benign vulvar lesion in postmenopausal women. We describe a case of malignant melanoma that originally presented as a caruncle. METHODS: A 73-year-old female presented to the urogynecology office for prolapse. Initially, she was diagnosed with a urethral caruncle that was noted to be enlarging on a subsequent exam. A biopsy was taken, which returned with poorly differentiated malignant melanoma. RESULTS: The patient was referred to gynecologic oncology and underwent wide local excision of the urethral mass and urethral reconstruction with bilateral sentinel inguinal lymph node biopsy and mapping. The final pathology was consistent with stage pT4b N0 (sn) pMx malignant melanoma. She is currently undergoing adjuvant immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Malignant melanoma of the urogenital tract is more common in postmenopausal women and can present as a urethral caruncle. When urethral caruncles are not responsive to initial medical therapy, providers should maintain a broad differential, including vulvar malignancies and biopsy when indicated.
Timing and type of menopause are not risk factors for the onset of diabetes: a UK Biobank cohort study.
Quesada JA, Bertomeu-Gonzalez V, Cordero A … +6 more , Ruiz-Nodar JM, Sanchez-Ferrer F, Lopez-Ayala JM, Cazorla D, Soriano-Maldonado C, Arrarte V
Menopause · 2026 Jun · PMID 41529134 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: Early and premature menopause are positively associated with coronary heart disease and stroke, but there is less evidence regarding its relationship with the onset of diabetes. The primary objective of this...
OBJECTIVES: Early and premature menopause are positively associated with coronary heart disease and stroke, but there is less evidence regarding its relationship with the onset of diabetes. The primary objective of this study is to assess the association between the timing and type of menopause and the possible development of type 1 or 2 diabetes. METHODS: Participants from the UK Biobank were enrolled between 2006 and 2010, with follow-up to the end of 2023. The outcome variable was diagnosis of type 1 or 2 diabetes during follow-up, and the main explanatory variable was age at menopause (normal above 45 y, early 40-45 y, and premature below 40 y). Behavioral factors, comorbidities, and blood tests were also collected. Survival models with Weibull distribution were fitted to the time of diabetes onset. RESULTS: Of the 146,764 women analyzed over a mean follow-up of 14.5 years, 6,598 women developed diabetes (cumulative incidence 4.5%). Rates were higher in women with earlier menopause (4.2% at age above 45 y, 5.2% at ages 40-45 y, and 7.4% before age 40); however, the multivariate analysis showed no independent association (40-45 y: hazard ratio: 1.00; <40 y, hazard ratio: 0.97), taking the normal age of menopause as the reference. Surgical menopause was likewise not associated with a greater risk of diabetes compared with natural menopause. CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of women with long-term follow-up, no independent or clinically significant relationship between age or type of menopause and the onset of diabetes was observed.
Utilization of fezolinetant for the treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms of menopause in a real-world setting.
Hsu CD, Carpenter RM, Richardson G … +4 more , Guo F, Adekanmbi V, Hoang TN, Berenson AB
Menopause · 2026 May · PMID 41493963 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Fezolinetant (Veozah) was approved as a nonhormone treatment for moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms of menopause in May 2023, providing a novel treatment option for women with contraindications to menopausa...
OBJECTIVE: Fezolinetant (Veozah) was approved as a nonhormone treatment for moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms of menopause in May 2023, providing a novel treatment option for women with contraindications to menopausal hormone therapy. The objective of the study was to characterize the uptake and utilization of fezolinetant in a real-world setting. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using TriNetX data, which includes 108 health care organizations and over 156 million patients. Females with an initial prescription for fezolinetant between May 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, were included. We described baseline clinical and demographic characteristics and assessed the uptake of fezolinetant over time. RESULTS: Our cohort included 9,853 women, including 1,315 (13.3%) who were over the age of 65 and 2,022 (20.5%) with a breast cancer diagnosis. Among the 7,222 individuals with at least 3 months of continuous enrollment, 1,477 (20.5%) had persistent use, defined as having a second fezolinetant prescription between 28 and 90 days of the initial fezolinetant prescription. Among persistent users, 42% received liver function testing in the 3 months after initiating fezolinetant, though regular monitoring is required after starting treatment. The total number of fezolinetant prescriptions increased over time, from 233 prescriptions between May 1 through July 31, 2023, to 1,871 prescriptions between May 1 and July 31, 2024. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight a need for future postmarketing safety and effectiveness studies, especially among survivors of breast cancer and women 65 years and older, who were excluded from the randomized controlled trials.
Breast cancer screening in midlife and beyond.
Pederson HJ
Menopause · 2026 Jan · PMID 41452038 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Jazz dance and concurrent training for menopausal symptom relief: evidence from the MenosPausa mais movimento project.
Fausto DY, Martins JBB, Bohn L … +2 more , Aleixo I, Guimarães ACA
Menopause · 2026 Jan · PMID 41452037 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of two 16-week physical exercise programs (jazz dance [JD] and concurrent training [CT]) compared with a control group (CG), as well as the impact of detraining (6 mo and 12 mo follow-up...
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of two 16-week physical exercise programs (jazz dance [JD] and concurrent training [CT]) compared with a control group (CG), as well as the impact of detraining (6 mo and 12 mo follow-ups), on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This is a randomized clinical trial with follow-up at 6 and 12 months. A total of 70 postmenopausal women (mean age: 53.19 ± 3.39 y) were included. Participants were randomly allocated into 3 groups: jazz dance, concurrent training, and control. The severity of menopausal symptoms was assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). A linear mixed-effect model with random effects was used for statistical analysis under 2 approaches: intention-to-treat (ITT) and protocol adherence. A paired t test analysis of score changes was also conducted as a complementary descriptive analysis, between baseline and subsequent time points. RESULTS: Significant time-related changes in somatic, psychological, urogenital, and total symptoms were observed in both the ITT and per-protocol analyses (P < 0.005), although no significant group×time interactions were identified. All 3 groups (JD, CT, and even the CG) showed improvements in menopausal symptoms over time, with benefits persisting during follow-up. Regarding changes over time, the CT group experienced the greatest reduction in symptoms over time, reducing the total questionnaire score by more than 7 points postintervention, more than 9 points at the 6-month follow-up, and maintaining the benefits even after one year. JD also reduced symptoms, but to a lesser extent compared with CT, by almost 4 points postintervention, and 6 points at the 6-month follow-up, with benefits also persisting after 1 year. Although the CG also showed some improvement, it was less pronounced compared with the intervention groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although improvements in menopausal symptoms were observed over time within all groups, including the control group, no significant group×time interactions were found. Therefore, this study did not demonstrate a superior effect of JD or CT compared with the CG, only the results that compare the interventions and CG over time are interpretable.
Understanding the biology of dynamic changes in serum gonadotrophins during postmenopausal life.
Pru JK
Menopause · 2026 Jan · PMID 41452036 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Subjective menopausal hot flashes in sleep disturbance: does the timing of hot flashes matter?
Law C, Gunthert K, Sokolovsky AW … +1 more , Behar E
Menopause · 2026 Jun · PMID 41401251 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Understanding the association between hot flashes and sleep disturbance is complicated, given that various dimensions of hot flashes (ie, occurrence, frequency, severity, timing) may have different associatio...
OBJECTIVES: Understanding the association between hot flashes and sleep disturbance is complicated, given that various dimensions of hot flashes (ie, occurrence, frequency, severity, timing) may have different associations with sleep. We evaluated the associations between various dimensions of momentary hot flashes and sleep disturbance (ie, sleep onset latency, sleep quality). We examined whether daytime, evening, and nocturnal hot flash frequency and/or severity predicted sleep disturbance. METHODS: Participants ( N =99) completed self-report measures of hot flashes and sleep for seven consecutive days. Participants retrospectively reported the number and severity of daytime (reported each morning and afternoon), evening (reported each evening), and nocturnal (reported each morning) hot flashes they had, and completed a sleep diary each morning. We conducted a series of linear mixed-effects models regressing both sleep outcomes onto daytime/evening hot flash frequency/severity, and regressing sleep quality onto nocturnal hot flash frequency/severity. RESULTS: Results indicated that within-person evening hot flash severity was associated with sleep onset latency (Est=5.60, SE=2.48, 95% CI [0.75-10.46], P <0.05), and that within-person nocturnal hot flash frequency was associated with sleep quality (Est=-0.46, SE=0.06, 95% CI [-0.58 to -0.34], P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found that more severe evening hot flashes predicted longer sleep onset latency that night, and that more frequent nocturnal hot flashes were associated with worse sleep quality that night. This may suggest that targeting hot flashes that occur at night-both in the evening before bed and nocturnally during sleep-may be useful in improving sleep in perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women.
Royal jelly for management of postmenopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Ferraz SD, Stangherlin L, Colonetti T … +5 more , Rodrigues Uggioni ML, Specht Taschetto I, Ceretta L, Grande AJ, Rosa MID
Menopause · 2026 Apr · PMID 41401249 · Publisher ↗
IMPORTANCE: Currently, many postmenopausal women experience symptoms related to the cessation of hormone production, and hormone therapy is the most commonly used treatment to alleviate these symptoms. However, it is con...
IMPORTANCE: Currently, many postmenopausal women experience symptoms related to the cessation of hormone production, and hormone therapy is the most commonly used treatment to alleviate these symptoms. However, it is contraindicated in several situations, which highlights the importance of alternative therapies such as royal jelly (RJ), particularly given the limited number of studies demonstrating its effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of RJ supplementation on postmenopausal symptoms in women. EVIDENCE REVIEW: We developed a search strategy using "royal jelly" and "menopause" with their synonyms. Terms were combined using Boolean operators (OR for synonyms, AND between concepts). We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), LILACS (BVS), Embase (Elsevier), and Cochrane Library through May 2025. Studies were included if they evaluated interventions for postmenopausal symptoms, with outcomes including genitourinary symptoms and quality of life measures. FINDINGS: A total of 281 studies were identified; 262 were excluded. Of the remaining 19, 14 were selected for full-text reading, and 6 studies involving 471 postmenopausal women were included in the final analysis. The studies were published between 2011 and 2021. RJ supplementation significantly improved postmenopausal symptoms compared with placebo (standardized mean difference=0.73; 95% confidence interval=0.50-0.96; P <0.00001; I2 =0%, two studies, 312 participants, moderate-quality evidence). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: RJ supplementation may offer a promising nonhormone option for managing menopausal symptoms and supporting bone and genitourinary health, especially for women who cannot or prefer not to use hormone therapy.
"It's the chats with colleagues that get me through. Not the policy, not HR, just knowing you're not alone": women's experiences of menopause at work and reflections on a workplace menopause policy.
Owen A, Taylor J, Burton A
Menopause · 2026 Jun · PMID 41401248 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: This study explores how women in a UK workplace discuss their menopause experiences and respond to their organization's menopause policy. It aims to understand the value, limitations, and implications of work...
OBJECTIVES: This study explores how women in a UK workplace discuss their menopause experiences and respond to their organization's menopause policy. It aims to understand the value, limitations, and implications of workplace menopause policies from the perspectives of women undergoing this life transition. METHODS: Data were drawn from a workshop involving 11 participants who were perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Participants shared personal experiences and collectively reviewed their employer's menopause policy. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes reflecting participants' emotional, cognitive, and practical responses to menopause at work and to organizational support. RESULTS: Three main themes were developed from the data: (1) "I thought I was going mad": the emotional and cognitive toll of going through the menopause at work; (2) "It reads like it's been written for HR, not for us": the gap between policy and reality; and (3) "Not the policy, not HR, just knowing you're not alone": support beyond policy. Participants expressed that menopause at work is not only a biological process but also a deeply social and professional experience. While menopause policy was welcomed, participants felt it often lacked grounding in employees' real needs and contexts. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace menopause policies must move beyond symbolic gestures to offer meaningful, flexible support that respects women's dignity and professional contributions during menopause. Genuine inclusion requires policies shaped by women's lived experiences and organizational practices that facilitate recognition and practical support, fostering a truly inclusive work environment during this significant life stage.
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