Studies on Menopause
Menopause and the vaginal microbiome
Alicia L .Muhleisenab, and Melissa M. Herbst-Kralovetz. Maturitas (2016)
A review of the literature surrounding the changes that occur to the vaginal microbiome during menopause, and how probiotics may be able to help reinstate vaginal homeostasis after menopause.
Comparison of the vaginal microbiomes of premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Karol Gliniewicz, G. Maria Schneider, Benjamin J. Ridenhour, Christopher J. Williams, Yuli Song, Miranda A. Farage, Kenneth Miller, and Larry J. Forney. Frontiers in Microbiology (2019)
This research study examined the microbiomes of women and found that after menopause, the microbiome has fewer lactobacilli, fewer total bacteria, and more diverse types of bacteria; treating menopause with hormone therapy increased lactobacilli, decreased vaginal pH, and improved vaginal atrophy compared with women not receiving hormone therapy.
Treating vulvovaginal atrophy genitourinary syndrome of menopause: How important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition.
D. Edwards and N. Panay. Climacteric (2016)
This review article helps readers understand the distinctions between lubricants and moisturizers, and explains the importance of having the proper pH and osmolality in both types of products, especially for those suffering from atrophic vaginitis.
Vaginal pH-balanced gel for the control of atrophic vaginitis among breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial.
Yoo-Kyung Lee, Hyun Hoon Chung, Jae Weon Kim, Noh-Hyun Park, Yong-Sang Song, Soon-Beom Kang. Obstetrics and Gynecology (2011)
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed that simply using a vaginal moisturizing gel with appropriate pH was able to improve symptoms of vaginal dryness and vaginal tissue health in women with vaginal atrophy due to chemotherapy or endocrine therapy for breast cancer.
The Women's EMPOWER Survey: Women's Knowledge and Awareness of Treatment Options for Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy Remains Inadequate.
Michael Krychman, Shelli Graham, Brian Bernick, Sebastian Mirkin, and Sheryl A. Kingsberg. The Journal of Sexual Medicine (2017)
This survey-based study shows that the knowledge women have about menopause, its symptoms, and potential treatments, is keeping many of them from taking advantage of effective available treatments.