Symptom Monitoring and Menopausal Symptoms

Evaluating the Effects of Symptom Monitoring on Physical & Emotional Outcomes During Menopause: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

A recent systematic review suggested that symptom monitoring can result in reductions in menopausal symptoms and improvements in health-related behaviours. To date, no studies have experimentally investigated whether symptom monitoring could be beneficial as an intervention for menopausal women.

One hundred menopausal women were randomised into either a Monitoring-intervention or Control group. A mixed between/ within design was employed, with group membership (i.e., Monitoring-intervention or Control) as the between-subjects component, and time (i.e., baseline and 2-weeks follow-up) as the within-subjects component. Dependent variables included symptom reductions and emotional reactions. Secondary outcomes included help-seeking, communication, medical decision-making, health awareness, self-efficacy, and health anxiety.

Inclusion criteria:

• Women
• Aged 18+
• Reporting at least 2 menopausal hot flushes per day
• Self-reported peri- or post-menopausal status.

Exclusion criteria:

• Male
• Under age 18
• Reported fewer than 2 hot flushes per day
• Does not self-report peri- or post-menopausal status.