menopause tagged posts

Ovaries may take on job in immune system after their tenure as reproductive organs

Post-menopause ovaries transform to join the immune system after their tenure as the reproductive organ
Morphological characterization of reproductively young, reproductively aged, and post-reproductive ovaries. Credit: Molecular Human Reproduction (2026). DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaag038

For most women, the body begins to change dramatically in their 40s or 50s. This transition, known as menopause, is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, marking the end of the reproductive years. While researchers are aware of the functions the ovaries perform during active reproductive years, what happens to the organ after menopause is largely a mystery.

A recent study in Molecular Human Reproduction investigated what happens to the ovary in mice after it stops producing eggs, a period known as the post-reproductive stage, similar to menopause in humans.

Researchers found th...

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How does Estrogen Protect Bones? Unraveling a pathway to menopausal bone loss

Estrogen induces osteocyte expression of Sema3A, which acts on its receptor on osteocytes to promote survival, resulting in reduced osteoclastic bone resorption and enhanced osteoblastic bone formation. Sema3A-activated sGC-cGMP signaling through Nrp1 protected osteocytes from apoptosis.
Credit: Department of Cell Signaling,TMDU

Women who have reached menopause are at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis, which can lead to bone fractures and long-term impairment of mobility. Studies have suggested a link between reduced bone density and low estrogen levels due to menopause, but the basis for this link is unclear. Researchers found that the protein Sema3A plays a key role in maintaining healthy bones, suggesting a new therapeutic avenue to treat osteoporosis.

Bone is a complex...

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Soy Diets might Increase Women’s Bone Strength

Soy protein improves tibial whole-bone and tissue-level biomechanical properties in ovariectomized and ovary-intact, low-fit female rats. Bone Reports, 2018; 8: 244 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2018.05.002

Soy protein improves tibial whole-bone and tissue-level biomechanical properties in ovariectomized and ovary-intact, low-fit female rats. Bone Reports, 2018; 8: 244 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2018.05.002

Researchers now have discovered through a new animal study that soy protein found in food might counter the negative effects of menopause on bone and metabolic health. Moreover, the researchers believe that soy protein might also have positive impacts on bone strength for women who have not yet reached menopause.

Osteoporosis, decreased physical activity and weight gain are serious health concerns for postmenopausal women...

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