3 New Study Findings to Look Out for at Menopause Society 2025

Emerging research continues to demonstrate how menopause affects several bodily systems, from the brain to the gut.

Three studies are connecting earlier menopause to reduced cardiac function and accelerated brain aging, linking natural menopause timing to metabolic disease risk, and uncovering the widespread burden of digestive symptoms at midlife. These new findings will be presented at The Menopause Society 2025 Annual Meeting, taking place October 21-25, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.

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Metabolic syndrome was more prevalent among women with early menopause than late menopause. | Image credit: Olivier Le Moal – stock.adobe.com

Earlier Menopause’s Toll on Brain Health

One new study being presented at the meeting explored how an earlier age at menopause may amplify the effects of reduced cardiac function on the brain, potentially increasing the risk of dementia.1

Analyzing data from more than 500 women, researchers found that earlier menopause was linked with lower gray matter volume, greater white matter hyperintensity burden, and poorer cognitive performance, especially among those with reduced cardiac function. These results point to a possible “double hit” to brain health in women who experience early menopause and heart dysfunction, according to a news release from The Menopause Society.

“We still don’t fully understand how menopause, and especially earlier menopause, affects brain aging,” Tallinn Splinter, MS, lead study author and researcher at the University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Research Institute, said in the release. “By examining the intersection of heart and brain health, we were keen to shed light on this important but often overlooked area of research.”

According to Stephanie Faubion, MD, MBA, medical director of The Menopause Society, these findings highlight the need to consider sex-specific factors such as menopause onset when studying dementia risk so that prevention and treatment strategies can be better tailored for women.

Higher Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

Women who naturally experience menopause earlier in life may face a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome—a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors that raises the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes—according to a large-scale study involving more than 234,000 women.2

The analysis excluded women whose menopause was induced by surgery, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy. Early menopause was defined as onset at 40 years or younger, and late menopause was onset at age 50 or older.

Researchers found that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 13.5% among women with early menopause compared with 10.8% among those with later menopause. This corresponded with a 27% higher relative risk for metabolic syndrome in early menopause, even after adjusting for potential confounders such as race, body mass index, and medication use.

“Our findings show that age at natural menopause isn’t just a reproductive milestone—it’s a powerful indication of long-term cardiometabolic risk,” Shefali Setia Verma, PhD, study author and assistant professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania, said in a news release. “Recognizing early menopause as a marker for metabolic syndrome gives clinicians a crucial window to identify at-risk women sooner and intervene earlier to prevent heart disease, diabetes, and other complications.”

Digestive Health Issues

A UK-based study of nearly 600 women found that digestive health problems are both common and underrecognized during perimenopause and menopause.3 Specifically, 94% of participants reported symptoms such as bloating (77%), constipation (54%), stomach pain (50%), and acid reflux (49%), with more than 80% experiencing the onset or worsening of symptoms during the menopause transition.

Despite this burden faced by the majority, only one-third of participants received a formal diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, and more than half reported their professional support was inadequate. The majority turned to self-management strategies such as dietary modification, stress management, and supplements, often with mixed results.

“Digestive health problems at midlife are often brushed aside, yet our research shows they are both widespread and impactful for women,” said Nigel Denby, RD, lead study author, registered dietitian, and founder of Harley St at Home. “By raising awareness of this hidden burden, we hope to encourage health care professionals to ask the right questions, validate women’s experiences, and work towards better support and treatment options during menopause.”

Faubion said these findings demonstrate how many women don’t seek care or receive inadequate care for their gastrointestinal symptoms during menopause. “Symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes are more widely recognized as symptoms of menopause, so it can be easy to overlook or underestimate the significance of digestive issues that may be happening at the same time,” she noted.

References

1. Earlier menopause and reduced cardiac function can take a toll on brain health. News release. The Menopause Society. October 21, 2025. Accessed October 21, 2025. https://menopause.org/press-releases/earlier-menopause-and-reduced-cardiac-function-can-take-a-toll-on-brain-health
2. Early natural menopause linked with higher risk of metabolic syndrome. News release. The Menopause Society. October 21, 2025. Accessed October 21, 2025. https://menopause.org/press-releases/early-natural-menopause-linked-with-higher-risk-of-metabolic-syndrome
3. Digestive health issues more common during perimenopause and menopause. News release. The Menopause Society. October 21, 2025. Accessed October 21, 2025. https://menopause.org/press-releases/digestive-health-issues-more-common-during-perimenopause-and-menopause