Collection Overview 

Scientific Reports has launched a Guest-Edited Collection on Menopause.

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 will be a Collection of original research papers  and will be open for submissions from all authors – on the condition that the manuscripts fall within the scope of the Collection and of Scientific Reports more generally. Narrative review articles are also welcomed, to our sister journal Scientific Reviews. We are welcoming submissions until 28th June 2027.

Why is this Collection important?

"This Collection can help bring together diverse, high-quality research that reflects the multidimensional nature of menopause, from biological mechanisms and clinical care to quality of life, lifestyle, culture, and health systems. It can also amplify evidence from underrepresented populations, including Asian women. Most importantly, it can help shift the narrative from menopause as a problem to be endured, toward menopause as an opportunity for prevention, empowerment, and healthy longevity: positive menopause, positive aging."
- Dr. Orawin Vallibhakara, Guest Editor

"I believe this Collection can make a valuable contribution to menopause research by bringing together diverse evidence and perspectives across different populations and settings. Menopause is a universal experience, but it is strongly shaped by cultural, social, economic, and healthcare contexts, and this Collection can help broaden and strengthen the global understanding of these differences. As it is published in Scientific Reports, the Collection has the advantage of reaching a wide and multidisciplinary international audience. This broad visibility can help increase awareness of menopause as an important research and public health priority, while also encouraging collaboration across clinical, public health, and social science disciplines. In addition, the Collection can highlight evidence from underrepresented regions, including low- and middle-income countries, helping to address current gaps in the literature and build a more inclusive evidence base. It can also support the translation of research into practice by informing healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers about symptom burden, quality of life, and care needs. Overall, I hope this Collection will advance knowledge, promote global collaboration, and contribute to more equitable and context-sensitive care for women experiencing menopause."
- Dr. Nirmala Rathnayake, Guest Editor

"I hope that featuring menopause research in Scientific Reports, a journal with broad visibility across the scientific community, will increase awareness of both the scientific importance and the societal relevance of this field. By reaching researchers beyond the traditional boundaries of women’s health, this Collection has the potential to stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration, encourage innovative research, and contribute to further advances in the field. I also hope that it will encourage researchers from diverse disciplines to bring fresh perspectives and novel approaches to menopause research, ultimately accelerating scientific progress and improving women’s health worldwide."
- Dr. Masakazu Terauchi, Guest Editor

"Menopause is a universal aspect of reproductive aging for many individuals, yet important questions remain about its underlying biology, factors that may influence symptom severity, and its broader impacts on long-term health. As awareness continues to grow, there is a timely opportunity to advance research that deepens our understanding of the menopausal transition and improves support for those who experience it.
 This Collection aims to provide a dedicated platform for studies spanning fundamental mechanisms, clinical outcomes, and approaches to symptom management. By bringing together work from multiple disciplines, we hope to feature research exploring endocrine changes, aging, metabolic health, skeletal health, urogenital conditions, and other menopause-related processes.
 Importantly, the Collection seeks to showcase evidence that can help improve health outcomes and quality of life for individuals experiencing menopause. By highlighting both mechanistic and translational research, we hope to stimulate new avenues of investigation, address persistent knowledge gaps, and support the development of more effective and equitable approaches to menopause care worldwide."
- Dr. Shelby Bollen, In House Editor

Why submit to a collection?  

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by Guest Editors, who are experts in their fields, and In-House Editors and are supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest.  

Who is involved?

Guest Editors:

• 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

Internal Team:

• In-House Editor: Shelby Bollen, Scientific Reports, UK
• Commissioning Editor: Sophie Gray, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK
• Managing Editor: Libby Symons, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK

How can I submit my paper?

Visit the Collection page for more information on the Collection, and how to submit your article.