Last month, Drs. Shruthi Mahalingaiah and Katharina Spies drew attention to a fundamental problem in reproductive research: we’ve been treating mice like stand-ins for women. There is a huge gap in research on menopause and menstruation. As their article bluntly puts it, using mice for female hormone research means starting “from a flawed baseline”. In other words, they simply “can’t model the full complexity of women’s hormonal journey”.
Mice are the go-to model in preclinical studies; they’re cheap and genetically similar to us (sharing about 85–90% of our genes). When it comes to menstruation, this is where we start to differ. Female mice go into a “estrus” period every 4-5 days, whereas women have 28-day menstrual cycles. But the differences don’t stop there.
Unlike humans, rodents do not undergo a natural menopause. Instead, aging female rodents enter a state of constant estrus (heat) with sustained estrogen levels. Unfortunately, this does not accurately reflect the hormonal decline seen in menopausal human women. Only about 25% of aging rodents transition to a state resembling human menopause, characterized by low estrogen levels.
To mimic menopause, scientists opt for Ovariectomy Models. They surgically removal of ovaries of rodents to mimic menopause. While this induces estrogen deficiency, it bypasses the gradual hormonal transition of perimenopause, limiting the model’s relevance to the human condition.
Implications for Clinical Practice
💜 Diagnostic Challenges: Without reliable animal models, developing a definitive diagnostic test for menopause is challenging. Currently, menopause is diagnosed clinically, based on symptoms and medical history, rather than through specific biomarkers.
💜 A 2019 survey found that only 7% of OB/GYN residents felt adequately prepared to manage menopause, 20% even reported not getting any menopause lectures during their residency. This educational gap may be partly due to the lack of effective models for teaching and research.
💜 Side Effects: There are many concerns about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Historical studies have linked HRT to increased health risks. But better animal models may be used to reassess the safety and efficacy of HRT, potentially alleviating these concerns.
The Role of Nonhuman Primates
Nonhuman primates, such as macaques and baboons, share closer reproductive similarities with humans, such as our menstrual cycles and hormonal profiles. Despite the similarities, the postmenopausal lifespan of these primates is relatively short, limiting long-term studies on postmenopausal health.
Moving Forward…
Beyond menopause, many other women’s health conditions (such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and endometriosis) remain under-researched. This is a pattern of systemic neglect that affects women of all ages. It contributes to delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options, and prolonged suffering for many of us. Many scientists are working on more accurate (and ethical!) models right now. And yet, women’s health remains underfunded. We need to do better. We need to invest in and support efforts the prioritize research that’s actually addressing our health concerns.
At YON E, we believe that better products starts with listening to real women. That’s why our menstrual care line is made with your body in mind. Because until the science catches up, we’ve only got each other.
In the meantime, we’re here to support you with what does work. Check out our PMS Relief Herbal Elixir, an all natural remedy for cramps and hormonal discomfort, and our PMS Relief Heating Pads, designed to bring comfort when you need it most. Because you deserve care rooted in understanding. 💜
