Hot flashes, sleep disorders, emotional fluctuations... these are all symptoms that women experience during menopause. Faced with the challenges of menopause, many doctors advise women to accept the pain and potential health risks that this transitional period may bring. In fact, menopause may also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, memory loss and other diseases. However, women who experience menopause usually do not have many medical options to choose from. Some oral contraceptives can regulate hormone levels, but this medication may cause blood clots. Non hormonal drugs such as non zolpidem and irinotecan can treat hot flashes, but they also have side effects. Other options include antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion and lifestyle changes, but these only alleviate symptoms to a certain extent. According to the British journal Nature, the prospects for menopausal management are quietly changing. Both traditional and emerging treatment methods ignite a glimmer of hope for the health of menopausal women. Some researchers are re evaluating the effectiveness of hormone therapy and the optimal timing to initiate treatment, while others are actively exploring the benefits of delaying menopausal symptoms. Hormone therapy may have long-term benefits. Generally speaking, menopause is defined as the cessation of menstruation for more than 12 months. Although surgery or medication can sometimes trigger the onset of menopause, for most people, menopause is a natural phenomenon that occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55. Before menopause, one will experience perimenopause, which is a period in which the ovaries slow down the production of certain reproductive hormones, lasting approximately 4 to 8 years. This can lead to irregular fluctuations in hormone levels, triggering a series of symptoms that may last for several years after menopause. For decades, menopausal hormone therapy has been a commonly used method to alleviate common symptoms of menopause in women. Hormone therapy can supplement some depleted hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, to alleviate this fluctuating process. In addition, this therapy may also bring other long-term health benefits, such as preventing osteoporosis in all age groups. Joan Manson from Harvard Medical School in the United States pointed out that early hormone therapy may be safe and beneficial in the long term. Studies have shown that even if hormone therapy is started at a later stage of menopause, its benefits may outweigh the risks. In the future, with the development of wearable sensors and bioelectronic devices, people will be able to track hormone levels in real time, help determine the best treatment timing, and release hormones as needed. The relationship between ovarian function and overall health "Nature" article points out that supplementing hormones may not be enough, and it is also important to pay attention to ovarian health. The ovaries are not only responsible for producing estrogen, progesterone, and eggs. This small organ also sends chemical signals throughout the body, driving hundreds of other factors with health benefits Zef Williams, a reproductive endocrinologist at Columbia University in New York, said. Ren é Weigezin, director of the US Health Advanced Research Projects Agency, said that when ovarian failure occurs, it can lead to many chronic diseases related to it. Therefore, some scientists have different ideas about extending the "duration" of the ovaries. One of the project teams funded by the US Health Advanced Research Projects Agency is developing drugs to extend ovarian function. Rapamycin, as a candidate drug, has been proven to prolong the lifespan of mouse ovaries. Williams believes that in humans, rapamycin may slow down the rate of female egg loss and may delay menopause by about 7 years. Currently, the Williams team is conducting a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial on low-dose rapamycin. The trial will recruit 50 healthy women aged between 35 and 45 who will take the drug or placebo once a week for 12 consecutive weeks, followed by a one-year follow-up. However, the team warns against using the drug without proper research. More treatment methods need to be explored, and there may be other ways to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Some scientists have discovered an association between gut microbiota and female sex hormones. Probiotics, dietary changes, and other therapies targeting this microbial ecosystem may help treat related diseases such as menopausal obesity and osteoporosis. The fluctuation of female sex hormones is also closely related to the human biological clock. Biologists Julie Pendergast and others from the University of Kentucky are studying how to maintain a more stable circadian rhythm. For example, limiting daytime eating to specific times and keeping the body's exposure to light and darkness consistent with the natural cycle of day and night can help solve some metabolic problems and other health concerns. No matter how scientific research develops, it ultimately needs to be translated into clinical practice. In order to educate more doctors about menopausal therapy, some hospitals in the United States have offered relevant training courses. For example, Seattle has opened a menopausal medical center that provides related services to nearly 400 patients. (New Society)