Maturitas最新文献

{"title":"Impact of long-term medication on estrobolome-associated β-glucuronidase and sulfatase activities: Implications for estrogen homeostasis in postmenopausal women","authors":"María Elena Martínez-Nortes ,&nbsp;Concepción Carrascosa-Romero ,&nbsp;María Ángeles Ávila-Gálvez ,&nbsp;Juan Carlos Espín","doi":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.108830","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.108830","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Menopause leads to a decline in circulating estrogen levels, increasing cardiometabolic risk, contributing to bone loss, and decreasing quality of life. The estrobolome, a subset of microbes with β-glucuronidase (GUS) and sulfatase activities, regulates estrogen homeostasis through deconjugation and enterohepatic recycling, thereby influencing systemic estrogen availability. Common long-term pharmacological treatments in postmenopausal women may alter gut microbial composition and function, potentially affecting estrobolome activity and systemic estrogen levels.</div><div>This narrative review examines current evidence on how long-term pharmacological treatments may affect estrobolome-associated GUS and sulfatase activities, with implications for estrogen metabolism and health outcomes in postmenopausal women. A targeted literature search was performed to identify clinical studies on commonly prescribed drugs for hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, osteoporosis, and depression in postmenopausal women, focusing on microbial taxa with reported GUS or sulfatase activity.</div><div>Among the evaluated pharmacological classes, antidiabetic drugs, particularly metformin, are the most extensively studied, followed by antidepressants. These treatments can modulate key gut bacterial genera with GUS and sulfatase activities, including <em>Bifidobacterium</em>, <em>Roseburia</em>, <em>Faecalibacterium</em>, and <em>Clostridium</em>, which are relevant to metabolic and estrogen homeostasis. However, no studies have directly assessed the impact of pharmacological treatments on GUS and sulfatase activity in postmenopausal women.</div><div>Understanding how chronic medication influences estrobolome dynamics may help identify strategies to support estrogen balance and improve systemic metabolic, hormonal, vascular, and inflammatory profiles. This review highlights the interplay between long-term medication, gut microbiota, and estrogen homeostasis as a promising avenue for personalized microbiota-targeted therapies in postmenopausal health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51120,"journal":{"name":"Maturitas","volume":"206 ","pages":"Article 108830"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Male breast health and breast cancer risk","authors":"Lakshmi Khatri ,&nbsp;Jessica Fraker ,&nbsp;Sandhya Pruthi","doi":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.108850","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.108850","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Males account for a small but clinically significant component of overall breast conditions, both benign and malignant. This review summarizes current evidence on epidemiology, male breast anatomy, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and identification of risk factors for male breast disease. Benign male breast disease, including gynecomastia, prompts clinical evaluation and requires understanding of hormonal and pharmacological causes to guide diagnostics and management. Although male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancers, it carries important hereditary and clinical implications. Pathogenic germline variants in <em>BRCA2</em> are the predominant genetic contributor, conferring a lifetime risk of ~7%, while <em>BRCA1</em>, <em>CHEK2</em> and <em>PALB2</em> variants confer lower risk. Males with breast cancer typically present with subareolar masses, nipple changes, or pain, often at older ages and later stages compared with females. Imaging evaluation, including mammography and ultrasound, is central to diagnosis and management. Screening recommendations for high-risk men remain limited due to sparse prospective data, with multigene panel testing and family history assessment guiding individualized risk assessment. Management strategies for male breast cancer generally parallel female protocols, despite unique biological features. By integrating considerations of benign and malignant conditions, this review underscores the importance of tailored evaluation, risk assessment, and individualized care for males, while identifying knowledge gaps to inform future research and improve outcomes in this under-recognized population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51120,"journal":{"name":"Maturitas","volume":"206 ","pages":"Article 108850"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of oral contraceptive use with mortality: Findings from NHANES","authors":"Dahong Zheng ,&nbsp;Xiaoxiao Li ,&nbsp;Jia Liu ,&nbsp;Jiaojiao Wang ,&nbsp;Jingya Jiao ,&nbsp;Liping Zheng ,&nbsp;Zhengbao Zhu ,&nbsp;Xiayan Xu ,&nbsp;Daoxia Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.108837","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.108837","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The formulations and usage patterns of oral contraceptives have evolved, necessitating updated evidence on their long-term safety.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To assess the associations between duration of oral contraceptive use and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analyzed 19,275 women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with mortality follow-up through 2019. Use of oral contraceptives was classified by duration (≤1, 1–5, &gt;5 years). Weighted Cox models estimated hazard ratios with 95% CIs; restricted cubic splines examined dose–response relationships.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 19,725 women (mean age 47.4 years), the median duration of oral contraceptive use was 3 years. Over a median follow-up of 12.2 years, compared with never-users, those using for &gt;5 years had adjusted hazard ratios of 0.53 (95% CI, 0.37–0.76) for all-cause, 0.50 (95% CI, 0.26–0.96) for cardiovascular, and 0.38 (95% CI, 0.17–0.86) for cancer mortality, with a trend toward lower risks for all three outcomes (all P for trend &lt;0.05). Restricted cubic splines revealed inverse linear associations with all-cause and cancer mortality, and a nonlinear association with cardiovascular mortality. Results remained consistent after propensity score matching.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The duration of oral contraceptive use was not associated with excess mortality risk and showed inverse linear or nonlinear associations with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality, supporting their long-term safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51120,"journal":{"name":"Maturitas","volume":"206 ","pages":"Article 108837"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Postmenopausal labial adhesion: A 5-stage classification system and clinical outcomes in a 14-patient series","authors":"Ruben F. Ibanez ,&nbsp;Moises Fernandez ,&nbsp;Parvathy Palavoor Naduvakkat ,&nbsp;Alberto Dominguez-Bali","doi":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108823","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108823","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To characterize postmenopausal labial adhesion, or vulvovaginal obliteration, as the end stage of genitourinary syndrome of menopause, propose a standardized 5-stage classification system, and evaluate outcomes following surgical and maintenance interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>A retrospective single-center review was conducted of 14 consecutive postmenopausal women diagnosed with labial adhesion between December 2018 and August 2025. Demographic, clinical, and surgical data were collected. A novel 5-stage clinical classification was applied based on anatomical extent and functional limitation.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>Clinical presentation, intervention type, recurrence, and symptom resolution were assessed. Postoperative maintenance strategies were compared between estrogen monotherapy and combined estrogen–dilator therapy.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The mean age was 76 years, with an average of 25 years since menopause and 22 years of sexual inactivity. Thirteen of 14 patients (92.9 %) presented with advanced disease (stages III–V). Common symptoms included urinary retention, weak urinary stream, and post-void dribbling (each 28.6 %). All advanced cases underwent surgical lysis; one stage II case was treated conservatively. Estrogen-only maintenance resulted in recurrence in 3/3 patients. After the protocol change, all subsequent patients received combined estrogen–dilator therapy, with no recurrences during a mean 24-month follow-up. All reported complete symptom resolution and improved quality of life.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This largest series to date defines a reproducible 5-stage classification system for postmenopausal vulvovaginal obliteration. Surgical lysis effectively restores anatomy, but sustained vaginal patency requires maintenance with estrogen and mechanical dilation. Early recognition, standardized staging, and combined therapy may prevent progression and optimize long-term outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51120,"journal":{"name":"Maturitas","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 108823"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145879885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Divergent fat deposition in PCOS: A preliminary comparative analysis of pancreatic and hepatic steatosis in aging clinical and unselected populations","authors":"Seren Aksun ,&nbsp;Burcu Çelik Eroğlu ,&nbsp;Irmak Gunesli ,&nbsp;Ilkay Idilman ,&nbsp;Muşturay Karçaaltınçaba ,&nbsp;Bulent Okan Yildiz","doi":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108810","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108810","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study investigated differences in hepatic and pancreatic fat accumulation between clinically referred and unselected patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, in comparison with healthy controls matched for age and body mass index.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this pilot study, a hospital-based cohort comprised 34 women with polycystic ovary syndrome and 32 controls, and an unselected cohort comprised 28 women with polycystic ovary syndrome and 29 controls, all over 35 years of age. Clinical and metabolic assessments were performed, and hepatic and pancreatic fat content was measured using magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction %.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome in the hospital-based cohort exhibited significantly higher body mass index (29.0 ± 4.5 vs. 25.0 ± 4.0 kg/m², <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), free androgen index (p &lt; 0.001), and hepatic fat percentage (<em>p</em> = 0.02) compared with those -in the unselected cohort. Hepatic fat was associated with free androgen index after adjustment for body mass index (p = 0.02). In contrast, pancreatic head fat was associated with metabolic parameters and was significantly higher in hospital-based patients with polycystic ovary syndrome compared with both their matched hospital controls (<em>p</em> = 0.03) and unselected patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (<em>p</em> = 0.009). These results indicate differing patterns of association for hepatic and pancreatic fat in polycystic ovary syndrome.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>As an exploratory investigation, our findings demonstrate that the distribution of hepatic and pancreatic fat in polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with distinct metabolic and hormonal profiles, with differences evident between unselected and hospital-referred populations. These observations highlight the need to consider recruitment setting in clinical evaluations and support the role of obesity management in reducing organ-specific fat accumulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51120,"journal":{"name":"Maturitas","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 108810"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145799278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined associations of protein intake and resistance exercise with handgrip strength in postmenopausal women","authors":"Jin Kyung Baek ,&nbsp;Hae Rim Kim ,&nbsp;Eun Jin Lee ,&nbsp;Yun Soo Chung ,&nbsp;Seok Kyo Seo","doi":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108808","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108808","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To investigate the combined associations of dietary protein intake and resistance exercise with handgrip strength in Korean postmenopausal women, and whether these differ by time since menopause.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>Cross-sectional analysis of 5652 women aged 45–70 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014–2023).</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>Participants were grouped by protein intake (&lt;1.0 vs. ≥1.0 g/kg/day, and also &lt;1.2 vs. ≥1.2 g/kg/day) and amount of resistance exercise regularly undertaken (&lt;2 vs. ≥2 times/week). Analyses were stratified by menopausal duration (≤10 vs. &gt;10 years). Low handgrip strength (&lt;18 kg) and mean handgrip strength were evaluated using survey weighted logistic and linear regression, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>At the 1.0 g/kg/day threshold, the prevalence of low handgrip strength was 8.9 % in women with low protein and no exercise (G1) versus 4.2 % in those with adequate protein and exercise (G4, <em>p</em> = 0.004). In adjusted models, G4 showed a trend toward lower odds of low handgrip strength (odds ratio 0.57, 95 % confidence interval 0.31–1.05), while G3 (low protein + exercise) consistently showed higher mean handgrip strength. Findings were similar at the 1.2 g/kg/day threshold (overall <em>p</em> = 0.027). Associations were significant in women &gt;10 years postmenopause, though the interaction by menopausal duration was not significant.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Adequate protein intake (≥1.0–1.2 g/kg/day) with regular resistance exercise (≥2 times/week) was associated with stronger handgrip strength and lower odds of weakness. Resistance exercise appeared to be more strongly associated with handgrip strength than protein intake alone. Because of the cross-sectional design, these findings should be interpreted as observational associations rather than causal effects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51120,"journal":{"name":"Maturitas","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 108808"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145760743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Practice guideline for the treatment and management of iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency","authors":"Xiangyan Ruan ,&nbsp;Che Xu ,&nbsp;Hefeng Huang ,&nbsp;Binghe Xu ,&nbsp;Chenghong Yin ,&nbsp;Yurui Wu ,&nbsp;Weimin Kong ,&nbsp;Qinjie Tian ,&nbsp;Xin Yang ,&nbsp;Yunxia Cao ,&nbsp;Ruifang Wu ,&nbsp;Shulan Zhang ,&nbsp;Liangzhi Xu ,&nbsp;Yinmei Dai ,&nbsp;Rui Ju ,&nbsp;Jing Jin ,&nbsp;Fengyu Jin ,&nbsp;Fei Ma ,&nbsp;Maoquan Qin ,&nbsp;Jun Yang ,&nbsp;Alfred O. Mueck","doi":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108807","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108807","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>It is well known that premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) seriously affects the fertility, quality of life, and health of young women. A meta-analysis of global data indicated that the current population prevalence of POI is as high as 3.7 %, but exceeds 10 % in some countries and regions. When POI is caused by disease treatment, it is termed iatrogenic POI. Iatrogenic factors are the most common identifiable cause of POI, and iatrogenic POI has a high prevalence in young cancer survivors. Overall, iatrogenic POI accounts for approximately half of all cases, but data show that its prevalence in female cancer survivors under the age of 24 can reach up to 82.2 %. With the improvement of cancer treatment, this incidence is still rising. It arises in the context of a variety of diseases and has a complex etiology. Patients with iatrogenic POI tend to be younger than those with other types of POI, which means they can experience more harm from the condition, and there is an urgent need to diagnose, treat, and manage them as early as possible. However, there is currently no relevant consensus or guideline either within China or indeed internationally. This guideline expert group gathered data from doctors and patients in 34 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across China through questionnaires to determine guideline-related issues and searched the literature in English-language databases such as Cochrane and PubMed since their establishment. After merging and deduplicating, literature evaluation and evidence grading were carried out. After discussion and induction, the clinical treatment and management guidelines for iatrogenic POI were formulated and combined with China's national conditions. The expert group ultimately addressed 19 clinical questions, as determined through a questionnaire survey and field investigation, and produced 26 recommendations based on international and domestic evidence from evidence-based medicine and clinical practice experience, to provide a reference for colleagues in clinical practice. The recommendations primarily reflect the context and needs within China and are intended for broad nationwide applicability, though regional adaptations based on local resources and practices may be necessary.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51120,"journal":{"name":"Maturitas","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 108807"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145835834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceptions of ageing and quality of life among menopausal women: A mixed-methods study","authors":"P.J. Trujillo-Muñoz ,&nbsp;M.A. Sánchez-Ojeda ,&nbsp;S. Navarro-Prado","doi":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108809","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108809","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate subjective perceptions of ageing and quality of life among menopausal women, a quantitative approach and a qualitative approach were combined, with the aim of identifying patterns of beliefs, attitudes and experiences pertaining to this vital life stage.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>This study featured a mixed-methods approach. A total of 332 menopausal women participated in the quantitative phase of this research, and the Cervantes scale was used to evaluate their health-related quality of life (HRQoL), including in terms of the ageing subdimension. Subsequently, in the qualitative phase, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 of these participants with the aim of exploring their experiences with and perceptions of ageing during menopause. In addition, sociodemographic information was collected from the participants, as were data pertaining to related variables, such as their levels of education, physical activity and quality of sleep, which could influence their perceptions and general well-being.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Regular physical exercise (F(3,328) = 4.352; <em>p</em> = .005) and higher educational level (<em>r</em> = −0.135; <em>p</em> = .014) were associated with better quality of life and more positive perceptions of ageing. The qualitative phase identified three major themes: a perceived sense of deterioration, changes in body image, and differing attitudes of acceptance or resistance. While some women described feelings of premature ageing and loss of identity, others viewed menopause as a stage of self-rediscovery and empowerment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>HRQoL among menopausal women is complex and influenced by multiple factors; similarly, perceptions of ageing vary according to the individual context faced by each woman.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51120,"journal":{"name":"Maturitas","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 108809"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145835862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A mixed-methods investigation of women's health-friendly organisations as perceived by menopausal working women","authors":"Claire Hardy ,&nbsp;Amanda Griffiths ,&nbsp;Eleanor Thorne ,&nbsp;Myra S. Hunter","doi":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108775","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108775","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To examine women's perspectives on what constitutes a women's health-friendly work culture, and to assess whether perceiving one's organisation as women's health-friendly is associated with menopausal symptom experience and work-related outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional mixed-methods online survey collected self-reported quantitative and qualitative data from working menopausal women. Primary outcome measures included presence of menopausal symptoms (past four weeks), vasomotor symptom problem rating, job stress, and whether participants perceived their organisation as supportive of women's health (dependent variable). Two open-ended questions explored participants' views on what makes a work culture friendly or unfriendly to women's health.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>From the responses of 300 participants, over two-thirds (65.7%) perceived their organisation as supportive of women's health. These participants reported significantly lower job stress and less problematic vasomotor symptoms than those who did not. No significant association was found between menopausal symptom presence. Thematic analysis of qualitative responses revealed two overarching themes capturing shared perceptions of women's health-friendly and unfriendly work cultures. Theme 1 focused on the <em>people at work</em>: <em>awareness and understanding</em> of women's health, <em>attitudes towards women and work</em>, and their <em>talking about women's health at work</em>. Theme 2 addressed more structural factors of <em>organisational arrangements and provisions</em>: <em>flexibility in work arrangements</em>, <em>resources and support</em>, and the <em>physical work environment</em>.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study provides novel insights into how women perceive a health-friendly work culture and the potential relevance to menopausal experiences and work. The findings have clear implications for policy and practice, warranting further attention and investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51120,"journal":{"name":"Maturitas","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 108775"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145696460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patient satisfaction and experiences with menopause care for people with autoimmune diseases: an international mixed-methods study from the Menopause MATTERs Project","authors":"Kaira Kuhu Naidu ,&nbsp;Sydnae Taylor ,&nbsp;Arvind Kaul ,&nbsp;Laura Andreoli ,&nbsp;Zoe McLaren ,&nbsp;David D'Cruz ,&nbsp;Martha Piper ,&nbsp;Wendy Diment ,&nbsp;Vikram Talaulikar ,&nbsp;Felix Naughton ,&nbsp;Lucie Gallagher ,&nbsp;Lynn Holloway ,&nbsp;Edward Tranah ,&nbsp;Alice Tunks ,&nbsp;Thomas J. Reilly ,&nbsp;Melanie Sloan","doi":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108811","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108811","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To understand the experiences and satisfaction with menopause care for women with autoimmune diseases.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>Exploratory, mixed-methods study (between December 2024 and March 2025) using an online survey for peri-, menopausal, and postmenopausal individuals (≥18 years), with and without confirmed autoimmune diagnoses. Survey participants were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>Satisfaction with menopause care as measured across nine (co-designed) domains of: availability and access to clinicians, clinicians' knowledge, involvement in decision-making, consideration of primary disease, clinicians' empathy for physical and mental health symptoms, continuity and follow-up support, information received, flexibility in treatment. Other outcomes included qualitative themes from interviews with patients, types of clinicians consulted for menopause and reasons for seeking private menopause care and process measures of access to care.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Satisfaction was significantly lower amongst women with autoimmune diseases (<em>n</em> = 3754) than those without autoimmune diseases (<em>n</em> = 480) across the nine metrics studied (<em>p</em> &lt; 0·001). Qualitative analysis identified three themes: (1) menopause care was reactive and dependent on patients advocating for themselves; (2) there was fragmented and siloed care between specialties, with limited integration of the intersection between autoimmune diseases and menopause; and (3) mental health concerns often overshadowed menopause and autoimmune disease symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The menopausal transition must be recognised as a unique stage in the management of autoimmune diseases. Our study suggests that menopause advice and care would benefit from increased clinician proactivity, empathy and knowledge. Greater evidence to inform clinical guidance and interdisciplinary training and integration is required.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51120,"journal":{"name":"Maturitas","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 108811"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145867102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}