Taste threshold in postmenopausal and non-menopausal women and men: A cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 113 individuals, including 38 menopausal women, 39 non-menopausal women, and 36 men, all of whom were qualified and matched in terms of various factors. Solutions of sucrose, citric acid, sodium chloride, caffeine, and monosodium glutamate were evaluated for their taste threshold. There was no significant difference between non-menopausal women and men in the distribution of the study subjects according to the taste threshold perception in different types of sweets (P=0.911), but between menopausal women and non-menopausal women, as well as the group men had a significant difference and postmenopausal women had a higher taste threshold than both groups (P<0.0001) and (P=0.002). In the taste of sourness, there was no significant difference between non-menopausal women and men (P=0.058), also there was no significant difference between menopausal women and men (P=1.000), but there was a significant difference between menopausal women and non-menopausal women, and menopausal women had a higher taste threshold than non-menopausal women (P=0.033). Still, a significant difference was observed between menopausal women and non-menopausal women, with menopausal women having a higher taste threshold than non-menopausal women (P=0.005). Additionally, a significant difference was observed between men and non-menopausal women. Men had a higher taste threshold than non-menopausal women (P=0.007). The taste thresholds for sweet, sour, and umami flavors were significantly higher in menopausal women compared to non-menopausal women. Managing menopausal symptoms may reduce these complaints, thereby improving the quality of life for perimenopausal women.