A Global Perspective on Hormonal, Dermatologic, and Metabolic Health Across the Female Lifespan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64784/251Keywords:
Women’s health, Hormonal changes, Endocrinology, Dermatology, Metabolic health, Menopause, Perimenopause, Skin disorders, Hormonal interactions, Healthy aging, International survey, Preventive medicine, Quality of life, Life-course approach, Global health.Abstract
Women’s health has traditionally been approached from a reproductive perspective; however, growing evidence indicates that hormonal changes exert systemic effects extending beyond reproductive function. The present study analyzed hormonal, dermatologic, and metabolic interactions throughout the female lifespan using data obtained from an international population of 12,600 women representing Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Oceania. A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical design based on the Scientific Method was employed. Data were collected through anonymous standardized questionnaires that evaluated dermatologic manifestations, metabolic alterations, hormonal changes, and the perceived impact of these conditions on overall health and well-being. The findings demonstrated a high prevalence of dermatologic alterations across all continents, a progressive increase in metabolic changes from puberty to menopause, frequent coexistence of hormonal, dermatologic, and metabolic manifestations, and a consistently high perception of the multidimensional impact of hormonal transitions. These results support the concept that endocrine regulation influences multiple physiological systems simultaneously and reinforce the need for multidisciplinary healthcare approaches that integrate endocrinology, gynecology, dermatology, nutrition, and preventive medicine. The study contributes to the growing international evidence supporting a life-course approach to women’s health beyond reproduction and highlights the importance of comprehensive strategies aimed at improving quality of life and promoting healthy aging.
References
[1] A. R. Cappola et al., “Hormones and aging: An Endocrine Society scientific statement,” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 108, no. 8, pp. 1835–1874, 2023, doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgad225.
[2] S. R. El Khoudary et al., “The menopause transition and women’s health at midlife: A progress report from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN),” Menopause, vol. 26, no. 10, pp. 1213–1227, 2019, doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001424.
[3] J. M. Mehta and J. E. Manson, “The menopausal transition period and cardiovascular risk,” Nature Reviews Cardiology, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 203–211, 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41569-023-00926-7.
[4] N. Panay, A. Fenton, H. Hamoda, et al., “International Menopause Society recommendations and key messages on women’s midlife health and menopause,” Climacteric, vol. 28, no. 6, pp. 634–656, 2025.
[5] World Health Organization, Menopause. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO, 2024.
[6] American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Menopause. Washington, DC, USA: ACOG, 2023.
[7] A. R. Genazzani et al., “Counseling in menopausal women: How to address the benefits and risks of menopause hormone therapy. A FIGO position paper,” International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, vol. 164, no. 2, pp. 516–530, 2024, doi: 10.1002/ijgo.15278.
[8] The North American Menopause Society, “The 2017 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society,” Menopause, vol. 24, no. 7, pp. 728–753, 2017.
[9] American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “Well-woman visit,” Obstetrics & Gynecology, vol. 132, no. 4, pp. e181–e186, 2018.
[10] S. R. Davis, R. Baber, N. Panay, et al., “Global consensus recommendations on menopause in the workplace,” Climacteric, 2022.
[11] R. J. Baber, N. Panay, and A. Fenton, “IMS recommendations on women’s midlife health and menopause hormone therapy,” Climacteric, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 109–150, 2016.
[12] R. C. Thurston and H. Joffe, “Vasomotor symptoms and menopause: Findings from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation,” Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 489–501, 2011.
[13] N. Santoro and J. F. Randolph Jr., “Reproductive hormones and the menopause transition,” Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 455–466, 2011.
[14] R. A. Lobo, “Hormone-replacement therapy: Current thinking,” Nature Reviews Endocrinology, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 220–231, 2017.
[15] J. E. Hall, “Endocrinology of the menopause,” Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 485–496, 2015.
[16] A. M. Kaunitz and J. E. Manson, “Management of menopausal symptoms,” Obstetrics & Gynecology, vol. 126, no. 4, pp. 859–876, 2015.
[17] J. C. Stevenson, P. Collins, H. Hamoda, et al., “Cardiometabolic health, menopause, and hormone therapy,” Climacteric, vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 424–431, 2020.
[18] F. R. Pérez-López, P. Chedraui, J. J. Gilbert, and G. Pérez-Roncero, “Cardiovascular risk in menopausal women and prevalent related co-morbid conditions: Facing the post-Women’s Health Initiative era,” Fertility and Sterility, vol. 92, no. 4, pp. 1171–1186, 2009.
[19] J. F. Randolph Jr. et al., “Change in follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol across the menopausal transition,” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 96, no. 3, pp. 746–754, 2011.
[20] H. G. Burger, E. C. Dudley, D. M. Robertson, and L. Dennerstein, “Hormonal changes in the menopause transition,” Recent Progress in Hormone Research, vol. 57, pp. 257–275, 2002.
