Seeking Participants For Menopause Study

Hot flashes, a hallmark symptom of menopause, can be so severe that they disrupt a woman's daily activities. While some women get relief from hormone replacement therapy, others are wary of turning to estrogen because of its potential side effects. One group - women who find themselves in early-onset menopause brought on by treatment for breast cancer - doesn't even have the option of hormone treatment, which could spark a recurrence of the cancer. These women must identify alternative treatments, such as meditation, for the relief of menopausal symptoms.

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing are seeking women with naturally occurring menopause or menopause resulting from breast cancer treatment to participate in a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study of the effectiveness of meditation for the relief of menopausal symptoms.

Women between 35 and 65 years of age who regularly experience hot flashes due to menopause are invited to participate in the study. Participants in the double-blind study will either participate in eight weeks of meditation training or attend educational sessions.

Participants will receive CD players in order to listen to the meditation CDs and a small reimbursement for their time. Additionally, participants assigned to the educational session group will receive the meditation training at the conclusion of the study.

For more information or to see if you qualify for this study, contact Susan Cohen, D.S.N., by phone at (412) 624-4597, or by email at cohensu@pitt.edu.

Did you know?
Hot flashes, a hallmark symptom of menopause, can be so severe that they disrupt a woman's daily activities. While some women get relief from hormone replacement therapy, others are wary of turning to estrogen because of its potential side effects. One group - women who find themselves in early-onset menopause brought on by treatment for breast cancer - doesn't even have the option of hormone treatment, which could spark a recurrence of the cancer. These women must identify alternative treatments, such as meditation, for the relief of menopausal symptoms.