Women’s mental health and (bio-identical) hormone therapy during the menopausal transition
Type of research: Quantitative empirical or Mixed method
Description:
Menopause is an inevitable life transition affecting millions of women worldwide. Although it is a natural process, many symptoms such as hot flashes, depressive feelings and fatigue can persist for an average of eight years, causing significant suffering in daily life and potentially leading to absenteeism. The symptom profile varies for each woman and frequently overlaps with other hormonal and psychological conditions, such as premenstrual syndrome, burnout, depression and anxiety. It is not yet known when mental health symptoms are caused by hormonal changes and might be treated with (bio-identical) hormone therapy instead of medication or CBT. Moreover, little is known about the use and experiences (positive/negative) with (bio-identical) hormone therapy, and why women would like to use hormone therapy or why not. The aim of this study is to gain more insight in the experiences, needs and wishes of women regarding (bio-identical) hormone therapy during the menopausal transition, and how this relates to women’s mental health.
In collaboration with fellow students, you will design a survey for women aged 40 – 60 who can answer a cross-sectional survey in Dutch, German or English. You will recruit women via your own network and online sources, focusing on women who would like to start with hormone therapy but are not receiving this yet, women who are currently using hormone therapy, and women who do not want to use hormone therapy. Both quantitative and qualitative questions could be included.
Example research questions are:
• What is the relation between different mental health symptoms and menopausal symptoms? What overlaps, what is different?
• What predicts enhanced levels of mental health symptoms during the menopausal transition?
• What are reasons for women to (not) use (bio)identical hormone therapy for mental health issues (during the menopausal transition)?
• For which mental health symptoms do women want to use (bio)identical hormone therapy? What are their expectations and experiences?
• How do women cope with the menopausal transition if they do not want to use (bio)identical hormone therapy?
• Which profiles can we identify of women who do (not) want to use (bio)identical hormone therapy during the menopausal transition?