ORCID

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Menopause has been linked to an array of symptoms, often with adverse effects on quality of life, work and relationships. Despite evidence of economic and social impacts, and a growing population of menopausal individuals, there are significant gaps in knowledge regarding menopause. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in peri- and postmenopause are areas of uncertainty that warrant further investigation.

OBJECTIVES: Following JBI guidance, this scoping review aimed to systematically map research on GI symptoms in 'natural' peri- and postmenopause, exploring the volume and conduct of research, and variables investigated that could influence symptom experience.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies assessing GI symptoms (constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, heartburn, faecal incontinence and bloating) in 'natural' menopause from all publication dates were included. Studies of medical/surgical menopause, with participants on hormone therapies, or not published in English were excluded.

SOURCES OF EVIDENCE: Results of comprehensive searches of databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, AMED, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses), trial registries, citation and web-searches were screened against eligibility criteria.

CHARTING METHODS: Data were charted in a standardised template, including study designs, populations, countries, GI symptoms studied, methods used for their assessment, and variables investigated. Analyses included frequency counts and percentages, with findings presented in visual and tabular formats.

RESULTS: Overall, 122 studies were included, published between 1981 and 2024. Studies were predominantly quantitative in design, with constipation the most frequently investigated symptom ( n  = 58), in contrast to vomiting ( n  = 4). Results highlighted limited studies from South American and African regions, and insufficient reporting of the criteria used to determine menopausal stages and assess GI symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: While many studies were identified, findings indicate evidence gaps and methodological considerations pertinent to researchers and funders, regarding study designs, assessment and reporting of menopausal stages and GI symptoms, and the variables investigated. Recommendations are made for future research.

Publication Date

2025-10-27

Publication Title

Womens Health

Volume

21

ISSN

1745-5065

Acceptance Date

2025-09-29

Deposit Date

2025-10-01

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Keywords

menopause, perimenopause, postmenopause, gastrointestinal symptoms, gut health, scoping review, Postmenopause/physiology, Humans, Middle Aged, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Quality of Life, Female, Gastrointestinal Diseases/epidemiology, Constipation, Menopause/physiology, Perimenopause/physiology

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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