The relationship between menopausal syndrome and gut microbes Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Menopause
Menopause
Menopause impacts many aspects of health, including the gut microbiome, weight management, and hormone balance. Diet, probiotics, intermittent fasting, and HRT offer effective management strategies.
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This original research article investigated the relationship between menopausal syndrome (MPS) and gut microbiota in women. Specifically, the study compared the gut microbial composition and predicted microbial functions between women experiencing MPS and healthy menopausal women. The research utilized 16S rRNA gene sequencing to profile gut microbiota from fecal samples, assessed clinical and hormonal parameters (including estradiol, FSH, and LH), and applied bioinformatics tools to characterize microbial signatures and pathway enrichment associated with MPS.
Who was studied?
The study enrolled 101 women aged 40–60 years from Guangzhou, China, between June 2020 and October 2021. Of these, 77 women were diagnosed with menopausal syndrome (MPS group), and 24 were healthy menopausal controls (H group). Diagnosis of MPS required the presence of menopausal symptoms, menstrual irregularities, and a modified Kupperman index (KI) score >15, while controls had a KI score <15 and no hot flashes. exclusion criteria included recent use of sex hormones or antibiotics, severe chronic disease, age outside the 40–60-year range. groups were matched for age, bmi, metabolic comorbidities to minimize confounding factors.< p>
Most important findings
The study identified significant gut microbiota dysbiosis in women with MPS compared to healthy controls. While overall microbial diversity did not differ significantly, 14 microbial species showed differential abundance. Notably, Aggregatibacter segnis, Bifidobacterium animalis, and Acinetobacter guillouiae were enriched in healthy controls and positively correlated with estradiol levels, while their abundance was reduced in MPS and inversely correlated with FSH and LH. Bifidobacterium animalis, known for its probiotic and metabolic benefits, was highlighted as particularly depleted in MPS. Functional prediction analysis revealed that women with MPS had gut microbiota enriched in pathways related to cardiovascular disease and carbohydrate metabolism, suggesting a microbiota-mediated predisposition to metabolic and cardiovascular risk post-menopause.
Key implications
These findings underscore the existence of distinct gut microbiota signatures associated with MPS and hormonal status in menopausal women. The depletion of beneficial species, especially Bifidobacterium animalis, and enrichment of pathways linked to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases suggest that gut microbiota may modulate both menopausal symptoms and long-term health risks. Clinically, the results support the potential for microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs) (e.g., probiotics, dietary modulation) to alleviate MPS symptoms and reduce comorbidities. However, the study’s cross-sectional design and modest sample size warrant further longitudinal and interventional research to clarify causality and therapeutic potential.
Menopause
Menopause impacts many aspects of health, including the gut microbiome, weight management, and hormone balance. Diet, probiotics, intermittent fasting, and HRT offer effective management strategies.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer significant health benefits when administered in adequate amounts. They primarily work by modulating the gut microbiome, supporting a balanced microbial ecosystem. Probiotics have been shown to improve gut health, modulate immune responses, and even influence metabolic and mental health disorders. With growing evidence supporting their therapeutic potential, probiotics are increasingly recognized for their role in treating conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), and even mental health conditions like depression and anxiety through their impact on the gut-brain axis.
Microbiome-Targeted Interventions (MBTIs)
Microbiome Targeted Interventions (MBTIs) are cutting-edge treatments that utilize information from Microbiome Signatures to modulate the microbiome, revolutionizing medicine with unparalleled precision and impact.