A preliminary exploratory clinical study of Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang co-administered with irinotecan-based chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer.

Resistance and interval running exercise exert differential short-term post-exercise bone metabolic marker responses in postmenopausal.

Tucatinib alleviates postmenopausal osteoporosis by suppressing osteoclast differentiation via regulating the DRP1/NFATc1/CTSK signaling pathway.

Epidemiologic studies exploring the effect of parity on Alzheimer disease (AD) yield mixed results, and little is known about how parity may modify the impact of AD pathology on brain and cognitive aging. We examined the effect of parity and AD pathology on hippocampal volume (HV) and cognitive changes in cognitively unimpaired (CU) postmenopausal women. Analysis was performed on CU postmenopausal women from the ALFA+ observational cohort based in the BarcelonaBeta Brain research center, who completed 1 or 2 visits spaced by ∼3 years (mean = 3.38, SD = 0.55) with reproductive data, cognitive testing (modified Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite), CSF biomarkers (Aβ42 and Aβ40), and structural MRI. We used linear mixed-effects models to investigate the interactive effects of parity, time, and Aβ status (based on CSF Aβ42/Aβ40) on cognition and HV. APOE-ε4 status, age, and total intracranial volume were included as covariates. A total of 254 women were included in our analyses ranging from 49.2 to 73.4 years (mean age = 61.2) at visit 1. A significant interaction between parity and Aβ status was observed for cognitive decline and HV. In women with positive amyloid status, higher parity was associated with steeper cognitive decline (β = -0.035, 95% CI -0.068 to -0.003, p = 0.033) and lower HV across time points (β = -0.134, 95% CI -0.263 to -0.005, p = 0.036). In CU postmenopausal women, higher parity interacts with AD pathology to influence cognitive decline and HV reductions. These findings suggest that parity may affect resilience to AD pathology in preclinical AD stages.

Migraine is a known risk factor for stroke in women of reproductive age, although its relationship with stroke among postmenopausal women remains unclear. We assessed the association between migraine history and incident stroke in a sample of postmenopausal women. We included women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative, a large US longitudinal cohort study of postmenopausal women, and excluded those with previous stroke or those with missing data on key variables. The primary exposure was self-reported, physician-diagnosed migraine at baseline, and the primary outcome was incident stroke (total, ischemic, or hemorrhagic). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to test the cause-specific hazard ratios (HRs) between migraine history and total, ischemic (overall and by subtype), and hemorrhagic stroke, sequentially adjusted for age, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and female-specific risk factors (age at menopause, age at menarche, menstrual irregularity, presence of vasomotor symptoms, parity, breastfeeding, and use of menopausal hormone therapy). We then quantified the association between a history of migraine and total stroke by age at baseline (in 5-year age groups) using multivariable models. Data on the presence of aura and migraine frequency were not available. Participants (N = 130,277) had a median age of 63 years (interquartile range [IQR] 57-69). A total of 5,743 incident stroke events occurred over a median follow-up period of 19.9 years (IQR 9.1-25). In multivariable models, there was no significant association between migraine history and total stroke (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.99-1.17), but there was a significant association between migraine history and ischemic stroke (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02-1.23). In planned secondary analysis of ischemic subtypes, the associations were most pronounced in the cardioembolic (HR 1.17, 95% CI 0.98-1.39) and undetermined (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.98-1.33) categories. Migraine was not associated with hemorrhagic stroke (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.67-1.09). Risk did not differ significantly by age group. Over 20 years of follow-up, postmenopausal women with a history of migraine had a higher risk of ischemic stroke, but not total or hemorrhagic stroke. Along with other factors, a history of migraine should be considered a risk marker when assessing ischemic stroke risk after menopause.

The association between the Mediterranean diet and depression risk in postmenopausal women: evidence from the UK Biobank cohort study.

The NRG Oncology research organization and NSABP B-35 randomized clinical trial prospectively collected margin width data on postmenopausal women with hormone receptor (HR)-positive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who underwent lumpectomy, whole-breast irradiation (WBI), and randomly assigned adjuvant anastrozole or tamoxifen therapy. This permitted analysis of outcomes per margin width. To analyze the effect of margin width on ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR). NSABP B-35 was a phase 3, double-blind, randomized clinical trial in which patients were randomized to either 5 years of tamoxifen or anastrozole. Postmenopausal women with HR-positive DCIS and tumor-free margins were eligible. Enrollment was from January 6, 2003, to June 15, 2006, in academic and community hospital members of the NSABP. Study data were analyzed from July 2024 to April 2025. There were no specific interventions based on lumpectomy margin width. Lumpectomy margin width data were prospectively collected within 3 months of randomization. A pathology form classified margins as positive (ink on tumor), close (<1 mm), or negative (≥1 mm). For the negative margin subgroup, closest margin width was stated separately. Thus, an ancillary analysis using 1-mm and 2-mm margin width partitions was performed. A total of 3104 postmenopausal women (mean [SD] age, 61 [7.8] years) were enrolled in NSABP B-35. In an ancillary analysis, 2707 patients were included in the 1-mm margin width partition group, and 2546 patients were included in the 2-mm margin width partition group. IBTR was the most common first event, occurring in 90 of 2707 patients (3.3%): 24 of 502 patients (4.8%) with a margin width less than 1 mm and 66 of 2205 patients (3.0%) with a margin width greater than or equal to 1 mm. Ten-year unadjusted cumulative incidence of IBTR events was 5.6% vs 4.0% for margins less than 1 mm vs margins greater than or equal to 1 mm (P = .04). Using 2 mm as the discriminant threshold for margin width, 39 of 879 patients (4.4%) with margins less than 2 mm and 49 of 1667 patients (2.9%) with margins greater than or equal to 2 mm experienced an IBTR first. Ten-year unadjusted cumulative incidence of IBTR events with margins less than or equal to 2 mm was 5.3% vs 3.8% for those with margins greater than 2 mm (P = .05). In models adjusting for other patient and tumor factors, margin width was not a significant predictor of IBTR risk (2-mm threshold hazard ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.86-2.06). Results of this ancillary analysis of the NSABP B-35 trial show that absolute differences in IBTR rates using margin width groupings of less than 1 mm or greater than or equal to 1 mm and margin width groupings of less than 2 mm or greater than or equal to 2 mm in postmenopausal women with HR-positive DCIS receiving lumpectomy, WBI, and adjuvant endocrine therapy were small. Omission of reexcision lumpectomies based on margin widths of less than 1 mm or less than 2 mm can be reconsidered in appropriate patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00053898.

To evaluate the efficacy of nonablative capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency on sexual function and vaginal health in postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause. This was a single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. The participants were randomly assigned to receive six weekly sessions of capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency (n=32) or sham treatment (n=30). Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and vaginal health was assessed using the Vaginal Health Index (VHI). The estrogenic status was determined by vaginal cytology, which involves calculating the proportions of basal, intermediate, and superficial cells. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-treatment, and 12-week follow-up. Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in the Female Sexual Function Index and Vaginal Health Index at post-treatment and at the 12-week follow-up. FSFI mean changes were 5.86 versus 1.33 at posttreatment ( P <0.001) and 4.41 versus -0.41 at 12-week follow-up ( P =0.011). VHI mean changes were 4.75 versus -0.03 at post-treatment ( P <0.001) and 6.90 versus -0.66 at follow-up ( P <0.001). The effect sizes were moderate to large for the FSFI (Cohen's d >0.77, 95% CI, 0.25-1.29) and large for the VHI ( d >3.49, 95% CI, 2.68-4.28). No significant changes were observed in estrogenic status, and no adverse events were reported. Capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency significantly improved sexual function and vaginal health in women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause, thereby supporting its use as a safe, nonhormone treatment option.

Association of reproductive lifespan with depression in postmenopausal women from NHANES (2005-2018): A cross-sectional study.

Romosozumab is known to markedly increase areal BMD (aBMD) at the LS and proximal femur assessed by DXA; however, its effects on peripheral volumetric BMD (vBMD) and bone microarchitecture measured by HR-pQCT remain incompletely characterized in postmenopausal women at very high fracture risk. In this single-center, prospective longitudinal observational study, postmenopausal women with primary osteoporosis and a history of fragility fractures received romosozumab for 12mo. DXA (LS, proximal femur, and radius) and HR-pQCT (distal radius and tibia) were performed at baseline and at 6 and 12mo. Twenty-five patients were enrolled; 22 completed 12mo and were analyzed. LS (L1-L4) aBMD increased by 18.0% at 6mo and 24.4% at 12mo (both p < .001), whereas TH aBMD increased by 4.9% and 7.3%, respectively (p = .001 and p < .001). In contrast, radius aBMD did not change significantly at either the one-third distal or ultradistal sites. On HR-pQCT, cortical vBMD at distal radius decreased modestly (-1.0% at 6mo, -1.2% at 12mo, p = .001 and p = .002), while trabecular thickness increased at 12mo (+2.0%, p = .001); no other parameters changed significantly at the distal radius. No significant changes in vBMD or bone microarchitecture were observed at the distal tibia. These findings suggest that 12 mo of romosozumab treatment resulted in marked increases in central aBMD at the LS and proximal femur by DXA, while effects on peripheral aBMD, vBMD, and bone microarchitecture at the distal radius and tibia assessed by DXA and HR-pQCT were limited, suggesting site-specific skeletal responses.

In the United States, postmenopausal women represent the largest group affected by recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs). Limited evidence supports long-term use of antibiotics for rUTI prophylaxis in this population. In addition to being expensive, repeated antibiotic use contributes to antimicrobial resistance, posing additional concerns for postmenopausal women who may be at higher risk for serious infection or complications from resistant infections. Topical estrogen, which directly addresses the pathophysiologic changes associated with rUTIs in this population, offers an effective and cost-efficient option for postmenopausal patients while avoiding the dangers of antimicrobial resistance.

Chronic consumption of (poly)phenol-rich foods exerts multigenomic modification of genes linked to cardiometabolic health in postmenopausal women.

Ovarian function is required for functional recovery of muscle by human ESC-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells in postmenopausal sarcopenic mice.

To assess pain during office operative hysteroscopy with or without inhaled nitrous oxide (N 2 O). A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at a single university-affiliated tertiary care hospital. Women undergoing office operative hysteroscopy were randomized in 1:1 ratio to receive either inhaled N 2 O or ambient air through a self-administered face mask. Pain was assessed using a 10-point visual analog scale at three timepoints: uterine entry, during the procedure, and postprocedure. Between July and November 2025, a total of 214 women were randomized to receive either N 2 O (n=110) or ambient air (n=104). Baseline demographics and procedural characteristics were comparable between groups. Intraprocedural pain was significantly lower in the N 2 O group (2.23±3.29 vs 3.96±3.31, P <.001). Among postmenopausal women, the analgesic effect of N 2 O was more pronounced, with significantly lower pain both at uterine entry (5.47±3.38 vs 8.00±2.72, P =.013) and during the procedure (2.42±3.86 vs 6.56±2.79, P =.002). Procedure completion rates were higher in the N 2 O group (93.6% vs 83.7%, P =.021), and patient satisfaction was significantly greater (80.9% vs 47.1%, P <.001). Inhaled N 2 O significantly reduces pain during office operative hysteroscopy, improves patient satisfaction, and decreases the rate of incomplete procedures, with a low incidence of adverse events. These findings support its use as an effective and well-tolerated analgesic option for outpatient hysteroscopic procedures. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT07074795.

Osteoporosis is a major health concern in postmenopausal women, characterized by reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and deteriorated bone microarchitecture due to estrogen deficiency. While pharmacological therapies are widely used, exercise represents a promising non-pharmacological approach to enhancing bone health. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of exerciseinterventions on BMD and bone-related biomarkers in ovariectomized (OVX) rats as a model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. A comprehensive search was conducted across Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases for studies investigating exercise interventions in OVX rats. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4 to pool mean differences in BMD and bone-relatedbiomarkers. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to skeletal site and exercise modality. Risk of bias was evaluated using the SYRCLE tool. Twenty-nine studies were included, involving treadmill running (55%), swimming (14%), resistance training (7%), jumping exercises (17%), and downhill running (7%). Across 14 studies, OVX rats demonstrated significant reductions in BMD at the vertebrae, femur, and tibia (MD: 0.03 g cm-2, P < 0.0001). Exercise partially reversed these deficits, yielding small but significant BMD at skeletal sites (MD: -0.01 g cm-2, P < 0.0001). Moderate-intensity treadmill and jumping/plyometric exercise showed significant effects on BMD. Exercise decreases bone resorption biomarkers (TRACP/TRACP5b/TRAP, CTX-1/β-CTX/NTX) and balances bone formation biomarkers (OCN, ALP, P1NP), while regulating PPARγ, Wnt/β-catenin, sirtuins, RANKL, and oxidative stress. Exercise interventions significantly mitigate OVX-induced bone loss, improve BMD, and positively influence biomarkers of bone remodeling, supporting its role as a potential non-pharmacological strategy for managing postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause, or GSM, is a highly prevalent condition in postmenopausal women, but many do not discuss their symptoms with health care providers. The American Urological Society, alongside the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction and the American Urogynecologic Society, published an updated guideline on GSM in May of 2025. This article will examine the pathophysiology, clinical assessment, and diagnosis of GSM and will review updated research on the recommended treatments to guide nurse practitioners on the latest evidence-based practice approach to GSM management.

Retrospective cohort study. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of polymethyl methacrylate bone cement combined with calcium phosphate bone cement in percutaneous vertebroplasty for postmenopausal women, compared with polymethyl methacrylate bone cement alone. We analyzed the clinical data of 114 postmenopausal female patients who underwent single-level thoracolumbar PVP surgery at the Orthopedics Department of Baiyun Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, from January 2023 to June 2024.A total of 55 patients were included in the conventional group and 59 patients were assigned to the combined group, based on the type of filler used during the procedure.Comparative assessments included general demographic characteristics, low back pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, perioperative parameters (e.g., operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, time to ambulation), imaging findings, postoperative complications, and adverse events. All patients successfully underwent the procedure and were followed up for at least one year. No significant differences were observed in baseline data between the two groups.At postoperative follow-up, both groups showed significantly lower low-back pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores compared with preoperative values (P < 0.05). At 1day and 1 month after surgery, the combined group had significantly lower VAS and ODI scores than the conventional group (P < 0.05). However, by 1 year postoperatively, there were no significant differences in VAS or ODI scores between the two groups (P > 0.05).Compared with preoperative measurements, both groups exhibited significant improvement in lumbar lordosis angle, sagittal Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, thoracolumbar kyphosis angle, coronal Cobb angle, and vertebral body height at postoperative follow-up (P < 0.05).Furthermore, compared with the conventional group, the combined group demonstrated a lower incidence of cement leakage and adjacent vertebral refracture after PVP, as well as less residual postoperative back pain. In percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures in postmenopausal women, the application of methyl methacrylate (PMMA) combined with calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is safe and effective. It significantly alleviates pain, improves surgical outcomes, and enhances patient satisfaction. The efficacy and safety of this combined approach are comparable to PMMA cement alone, with advantages in reducing back pain, improving quality of life, lowering the risk of cement leakage, and decreasing the incidence of adjacent vertebral fractures.

Raloxifene Beyond Osteoporosis: Unlocking Neurorestoration Through Remyelination, Inflammatory Regulation, and Neuroimmune Modulation in CNS Pathologies.

Fractional CO₂ laser monotherapy versus combination therapy with vaginal oestrogen for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: A prospective observational cohort study conducted over two years.

Histological study to assess CO2 laser therapy for the treatment of vaginal atrophy.