In this study the investigators will analyze the vaginal microbiome of menopausal women in order to shed light on its potential implication on menopausal symptoms and quality of life. Moreover, the investigators will assess the effect of hormone replacement treatment on symptoms and overall quality of life during menopause and whether women under hormone replacement treatment have distinct vaginal microbiome profiles.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
432
Vaginal microbiome sample collection
Identify microbiome-based bacterial signatures to distinguish the different menopausal groups and the CST (Community State Type) group clustering according to the vaginal microbiome of menopausal women.
Time frame: Baseline
Demographic questionnaire
Data will include ethnic/cultural background, body weight, and height, age, sexual orientation, relationship status, education status/academic background, employment status, current occupation, area of residence, chronic condition(s), number of children, and type of birth given, age of last period, last Pap test and thyroid test, contraception method, use of prescription or non-prescription medications and supplements, smoking and alcohol habits, dietary habits, information source about menopause, attitude towards talking about menopause, self-image and changes on hair/skin/nails, dental health and body weight during menopause, awareness of menopause state, online services/app or products used during menopause, delivery address for testing kits.
Time frame: Baseline
Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging (DIVA) questionnaire
Participants will answer a questionnaire including four multi-item scales addressing symptoms impact on: 1) activities of daily living, 2) emotional well-being, 3) sexual functioning, and 4) self-concept and body image. The possible score range for all domain scales is 0 to 4, with higher scores denoting greater impact of vaginal symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline
Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) questionnaire
Participants will answer the 11-question questionnaire regarding the presence or absence and intensity of their menopause-related symptoms. The minimum value is zero and the maximum is four with the latter indicating very severe symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline
Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) questionnaire
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Participants will answer a 6-question questionnaire concerning their ability to recover from stress. This questionnaire has two types of questions namely, one with positive meaning in which the scoring scale is from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) and the second one has negative meaning with the scoring scale ranging from 1 (strongly agree) to 5 (strongly disagree).
Time frame: Baseline
Vaginal pH -at home test kit
Participants will be asked to take a vaginal pH sample in duplicate. Participants will be asked to fill in a form with their vaginal pH test results obtained from the vaginal pH test.
Time frame: Baseline
Facial Skin Type Test
The facial skin type testing kit (USP Solutions, Klagenfurt, Austria) will include two "Skin Oil Tester Sebutapes", a skin test results template, and a product insert with useful information and instructions for the participants.
Time frame: Baseline
Body Hydration Test
Participants will be asked to take the body hydration test once on their hand and once on their leg. The body hydration testing kit (USP Solutions, Klagenfurt, Austria) will include two "Dry Skin Test D-Squames", a skin test results template, and a product insert with useful information and instructions for the participants.
Time frame: Baseline