Menopause
Audio Summaries

Discussing menopausal symptoms at work and associations with taboo, symptom severity, and need for recovery after work

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the extent to which perimenopausal and postmenopausal women discuss menopausal symptoms that affect their work functioning, as well as the associations with perceived taboo, symptom severity, and need for recovery. Their findings revealed that nearly half of the women experiencing work limitations due to these symptoms did not discuss them at work, with a significant correlation between non-disclosure and the perception of menopause as a taboo topic. This underscores the necessity for a more open workplace culture to support women during menopause.

Integrating menopausal neurocognitive and psychosocial dynamics into economic behavior: the Behavioral Finance-Menopausal Cognition (BF-MC) Model (MARiE WP2A study)

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aim to address how the menopause transition affects women's financial decision-making by proposing the Behavioral Finance-Menopausal Cognition (BF-MC) Model, which integrates neurocognitive, emotional, and sociostructural changes with behavioral finance theory. Through a synthesis of findings from the MARIE WP2a program, they identify key domains influencing financial behavior, emphasizing the need for empirical validation of these theoretical pathways. This model seeks to reframe midlife women's financial behavior as a dynamic process shaped by various biopsychosocial factors rather than merely a deficit.

Evaluating menopausal symptom burden and treatment engagement in a predominantly Hispanic population on the United States-Mexico border

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the burden of menopausal symptoms, healthcare engagement, and treatment disparities among postmenopausal women in a predominantly Hispanic population along the United States-Mexico border. Their findings revealed a high prevalence of symptoms such as sleep disturbances and weight gain, yet a significant portion of participants reported that their symptoms had never been addressed by a clinician, highlighting socioeconomic and ethnic disparities in treatment access and engagement. The study underscores the necessity for culturally and linguistically appropriate menopause care to improve outcomes in this population.

Integrative medical group visits for menopause (MENOGAP): results of a pilot single-site feasibility study

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the MENOGAP intervention, which combines conventional and integrative health approaches for managing menopause symptoms in a group medical visit format. The pilot study found high participant retention and satisfaction, with significant improvements in menopause-related symptoms, self-efficacy, and knowledge about menopause after the intervention. These findings suggest that MENOGAP is a promising model for delivering menopause care, warranting further research on its efficacy and broader implementation.

Comparison of the effects of two sexual counseling models, GES (Good Enough Sex) and PLISSIT (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy), on sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial

Sep 15, 2026

The authors aimed to compare the effectiveness of two sexual counseling models, GES (Good Enough Sex) and PLISSIT (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy), on improving sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women. The randomized controlled trial found that both counseling models significantly enhanced sexual intimacy, quality of life, and satisfaction compared to standard care, highlighting the potential benefits of structured sexual counseling in this population.

Nonsedating neurotransmitter-modulating supplement for nonvasomotor sleep disturbance in menopause

Sep 15, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a neurotransmitter-modulating supplement in improving sleep quality among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women experiencing nonvasomotor sleep disturbances. The study found that the supplement significantly enhanced sleep quality, increased total sleep time, and improved sleep-related impairment compared to a placebo, with no notable differences in adverse events between groups.

Effects of Withania somnifera root extract on sleep quality, body composition, and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Sep 15, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the effects of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) root extract on sleep quality, body composition, and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. The study found that after 12 weeks of supplementation, participants experienced significant improvements in sleep quality, reduced menopausal symptoms, and better body composition compared to the placebo group, with no serious adverse events reported.

Impact of hormone therapy on mood in a real-world clinical setting: a retrospective observational study

Sep 8, 2026

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of systemic hormone therapy (HT) on mood disturbances during the menopause transition in a real-world clinical setting. The results indicated a significant reduction in mood symptom scores among patients after initiating HT, particularly in those with severe baseline symptoms, suggesting that HT may be beneficial for improving mood in midlife women regardless of their psychiatric history or antidepressant use. The authors advocate for further research to explore HT's effects on mood in this population.

Role of coronary artery calcium in the association between hormone therapy status and incident death and cardiovascular disease: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Sep 8, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether coronary artery calcium (CAC) influences the relationship between hormone therapy (HT) use and the incidence of death and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. Their findings indicate that current HT users have a significantly lower risk of all-cause death compared to never and former users, while CAC did not significantly alter this association. Additionally, although trends suggested lower CVD outcomes among HT users, these did not reach statistical significance.

Association of enhanced protein intake with handgrip strength in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Sep 8, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the association between enhanced protein intake (EPI) and handgrip strength (HGS) in postmenopausal women. Their systematic review and meta-analysis of seven studies involving 8,922 participants found that EPI is significantly associated with higher HGS and lower body mass index compared to lower protein intakes. This suggests that increasing protein consumption may benefit muscle strength in this population.