This Scientific Reports Collection welcomes original research on Menopause. Narrative review articles are also welcomed, to our sister journal Scientific Reviews.
While a natural part of reproductive aging, the physiology of the menopause is complex and not fully understood. Symptoms can be severe and persistent, while hormonal changes associated with the menopausal transition may lead to other conditions, such as osteoporosis and bladder issues. Therefore, further research into the underlying mechanisms, treatments, and management strategies is crucial for those experiencing menopause. Research in this area sits at the intersection of the UN's SDG3 and SDG5, promoting good health and wellbeing for all and striving for gender equality to empower all women and girls. This Collection is launched in line with Menopause Awareness Month, including World Menopause Day 2026.
Guest Editor Team
- Peter Chedraui, MD, PhD, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador
- Nirmala Rathnayake, PhD, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
- Masakazu Terauchi, MD, PhD, Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan
- Orawin Vallibhakara, MD, Mahidol University, Thailand
In House Team
- In House Editor: Shelby Bollen, Springer Nature, UK
- Commissioning Editor: Sophie Gray, Springer Nature, UK
- Managing Editor: Libby Symons, Springer Nature, UK
What initially drew you to researching menopause?
Dr. Orawin Vallibhakara: My interest in menopause began through my clinical work as Head of the Menopause Unit, where I care for many midlife and postmenopausal women. I saw that menopause was often framed as a period of decline, yet in reality it is a critical window for prevention, empowerment, and healthy aging. This inspired my research focus: to generate evidence that supports holistic, individualized menopause care and reframes menopause as a positive transition. For me, positive menopause means positive aging.
Dr. Nirmala Rathnayake: What initially drew me to menopause research was witnessing the experiences of women in my community. Many women endure menopausal symptoms silently, often believing that, as women, they are expected to tolerate these challenges just as they do menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth. Their struggles frequently go unrecognized and unaddressed.
In my setting, which is a tropical country, environmental conditions can intensify certain menopausal symptoms, making daily life even more difficult. Additionally, economic hardships can have a profound impact on women's ability to manage their symptoms and maintain their quality of life. Family responsibilities, social expectations, and financial pressures often shape women's menopausal experiences, yet these factors are rarely discussed openly.
Another concern is the limited availability of treatment options, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which restricts women's access to evidence-based symptom management. Furthermore, there has been a lack of culturally relevant and validated local tools to comprehensively assess the impact of menopause on women's lives. Without appropriate assessment instruments, it becomes difficult to accurately identify women's needs, evaluate symptom burden, and develop targeted interventions.
Observing these unmet needs, together with the limited research attention given to menopause in our context, motivated me to pursue menopause research. My goal has been to contribute to improving awareness, developing locally relevant evidence, strengthening assessment methods, and ultimately enhancing support and care for menopausal women.
Dr. Masakazu Terauchi: Several factors inspired me to pursue menopause research. First, my mentor, Professor Takeshi Aso, was one of Japan’s foremost pioneers in this field. Second, compared with other areas of obstetrics and gynecology—such as perinatology, gynecologic oncology, and reproductive endocrinology—I was fascinated by the complex bio-psycho-socio-spiritual dimensions of health issues experienced by midlife and older women. Finally, in Japan, where population aging is more advanced than anywhere else in the world and women enjoy one of the longest life expectancies globally, I felt that research in this field has profound scientific as well as societal significance.
How has the scientific landscape changed in relation to menopause, and more broadly women’s health, in recent years?
Dr. Orawin Vallibhakara: The field has moved beyond viewing menopause mainly through symptoms or hormone therapy. Menopause is now increasingly recognized as a public health and healthy-aging issue, connected with cardiometabolic health, bone health, mental well-being, sleep, sexual health, quality of life, workplace productivity, and longevity. There is also growing recognition that evidence must be more inclusive, especially for Asian women and diverse healthcare settings, where symptom patterns, beliefs, and access to care may differ.
Dr. Nirmala Rathnayake: The scientific landscape surrounding menopause and women's health has changed considerably in recent years. Historically, menopause received limited research attention, and many aspects of women's health were underrepresented in scientific studies. Today, there is growing recognition that menopause is not merely a natural life transition to be endured, but an important health stage that can significantly affect physical, psychological, social, and economic well-being.
There has been increased research into the biological mechanisms of menopause, symptom management, long-term health consequences, and interventions to improve quality of life. Greater attention is also being given to the diversity of menopausal experiences across different cultures, socioeconomic groups, and geographic settings, highlighting the importance of context-specific approaches to care.
More broadly, women's health research has expanded beyond reproductive health to encompass mental health, cardiovascular health, aging, non-communicable diseases, and health equity. Researchers and policymakers are increasingly acknowledging the influence of social determinants of health, including education, employment, family responsibilities, and access to healthcare, on women's health outcomes.
Despite these advances, significant gaps remain, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where menopause and other women's health issues are often under-researched. Access to evidence-based treatments, specialized services, and culturally appropriate health education remains limited in many settings. Therefore, continued investment in research, policy development, and healthcare services is essential to ensure that women's health needs are adequately addressed throughout the life course.
Dr. Masakazu Terauchi: Over the 25 years since the first report of the Women’s Health Initiative, both the benefits and safety of menopausal hormone therapy have been re-evaluated in light of accumulating evidence. At the same time, remarkable advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of vasomotor symptoms have led to the development and clinical introduction of novel non-hormonal therapies, particularly neurokinin-3 receptor antagonists. Together, these advances have transformed the management of menopausal symptoms and substantially expanded treatment options for women.
What changes would you like to see in the women’s health field in the future?
Dr. Orawin Vallibhakara: I hope to see menopause care become more proactive, personalized, and integrated across the life course. Women should have access to evidence-based information, individualized treatment options, lifestyle support, and shared decision-making without stigma or fear. I would also like to see stronger collaboration among clinicians, researchers, public health experts, workplaces, and policymakers, so that menopause is supported not only in clinics but also in society.
Dr. Nirmala Rathnayake: I would like to see women's health receive the attention, resources, and priority it deserves across research, clinical practice, and public health policy. Women's health should be viewed through a life-course perspective, extending beyond reproductive health to include menopause, healthy aging, mental health, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being.
In the area of menopause, I would like to see greater awareness among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public so that women no longer feel they must suffer in silence. Access to evidence-based treatments, including HRT and non-pharmacological interventions, should be improved, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where resources are often limited.
I would also like to see increased investment in context-specific research and the development of culturally appropriate assessment tools. Many existing instruments have been developed in high-income settings and may not fully capture the experiences of women from different cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. Strengthening local research capacity would help generate evidence that is more relevant to the populations being served.
Importantly, I hope to see greater recognition of the social determinants that influence women's health, including education, employment, family responsibilities, social support, and economic stability. Addressing these broader factors is essential for improving health outcomes and quality of life.
Ultimately, my vision is for a future where women have access to equitable, comprehensive, and compassionate healthcare throughout every stage of life, and where their health concerns are recognized, validated, and addressed with the same urgency and commitment given to other major health priorities.
Dr. Masakazu Terauchi: Although substantial progress has been made in both reassessing established therapies and developing innovative treatments, health issues affecting midlife and older women—including menopausal disorders—remain insufficiently recognized by society. As women play increasingly important roles in the workforce and assume greater leadership responsibilities, it is essential that menopause and other health challenges during midlife be recognized as major healthcare and societal issues. I hope to see greater public awareness, stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustained efforts to improve women’s health and quality of life.
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