Can the intensity of menopausal symptoms be modified? The pilot study of the effects of an intervention programme designed for 48-54-year-old women

Objectives: Psychological interventions are effective ways to modify experience of menopause. They provideevidence-based data on menopausal transition and develop skills for symptoms’ management. The designedintervention programme included information on hormonal mechanisms, symptoms and the impact of menopauseon health, and offered exercises aimed at recognition of bodily sensations and their control. A study wasconducted to evaluate its effects. Design: Cross-sectional, with two-week follow-up. Material and methods: Women aged 48-54 yrs were recruited at meetings of non-governmental organizationsand divided into 2 groups (study, n = 30 and control, n = 30). Participants filled in (time 1): demographicquestionnaire, Menopause Symptoms List (MSL), Type D Personality Questionnaire (DS-14), Menopause RepresentationQuestionnaire (MRQ). At time 2 (2 weeks after the intervention) all women filled in MSL and MRQ. Thestudy group evaluated the intervention immediately after it and 2 weeks later. Results: The study group reported a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in intensity and frequency of vasomotorand psychological symptoms, and a decrease in intensity of somatic symptoms; more positive attitudes towardsmenopause (p < 0.001) were expressed. In both groups, a significant correlation was found for frequency andintensity of all types of symptoms and DS-14 scores (p < 0.001). Positive opinions on the workshop increasedwith the time. Conclusions: The findings indicate the potential to change experiences by the designed psychological intervention.A relatively short follow-up requires cautious interpretation of the effects of the programme.