A growing number of studies have shown that mindfulness may be an important tool for managing a spectrum of symptoms, including depression and anxiety during pregnancy. A new research study presented at the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) 2018 Annual Meeting in October suggests that mindfulness may also help to relieve menopausal symptoms.
This cross-sectional study included 1744 women (40 to 65 years old, average 53.4) who were seen in the Women’s Health Clinic at the Rochester Mayo Clinic. Most of the women were white (93%) and married (83%), and most had at least a college education (65%) and were employed (65%). The women completed several assessments, including the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), the Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4), and the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS).
The researchers found that the women who reported greater mindfulness experienced lower levels of stress and a lower burden of menopausal symptoms. While this suggests that mindfulness may be helpful as a means of stress reduction and managing menopausal symptoms, the next step will be to determine if mindfulness-based therapy can be used as an intervention to ameliorate menopausal symptoms.
Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD
Mindfulness Eases Menopause Symptoms, Stress (Medscape – free subscription)