Menopausal Experience in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients

IntroductionAdvancements in transplant care have led to an increasing number of women with solid organ transplantation (SOT) living through peri- and postmenopause. Menopause can significantly impact quality of life, and the added burden of SOT may exacerbate symptoms. Few studies have evaluated the menopausal experience in this population, and existing data rarely use validated questionnaires.Research QuestionThis study aimed to characterize menopausal symptoms and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use in peri- and postmenopausal SOT recipients using validated measures.DesignA cross-sectional survey study of female patients ≥18 years who underwent SOT between 2018 and 2023 was conducted at a tertiary transplant center. A reproductive and sexual health questionnaire incorporating validated instruments, including the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), was administered.ResultsAmong peri- and postmenopausal SOT recipients (n = 192), 8.9% reported use of MHT. The median MRS total score was 8.0, consistent with mild-to-moderate symptom severity overall. Symptom severity differed by menopausal status for vasomotor symptoms (P =.03), sleep disturbances (P = .04), depressive mood (P = .04), and anxiety (P <.001), with perimenopausal participants generally reporting more symptoms in these domains than postmenopausal participants. Despite these differences, overall symptom severity remained mild to moderate in both groups.ConclusionMenopausal symptoms among female SOT recipients are common but generally mild to moderate, with low utilization of MHT. The lack of increased vasomotor burden compared to prior literature may reflect under-recognition or misattribution of symptoms to transplant-related factors. Incorporating menopause-specific screening into transplant care may improve symptom recognition, quality of life, and long-term health outcomes.