Clinical Research Directory

Effect of Lifestyle Intervention on Menopausal Symptoms, Sleep Quality, and Anxiety in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women

Menopause is a biological process characterized by the permanent cessation of menstruation, often accompanied by vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and impaired quality of life. In primary healthcare settings, structured lifestyle interventions offer low-cost, safe, and sustainable non-pharmacological management strategies. The objective of this prospective, randomized controlled trial is to evaluate whether a structured lifestyle educational intervention leads to significant improvements in menopausal symptom severity, sleep quality, and anxiety levels compared with a control group receiving routine clinical care among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women aged 40 to 55 years. Primary and secondary outcomes are evaluated using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) at baseline and at 24 weeks.

Evaluation of the Effects of Lifestyle Medicine and Mindfulness-based Group Medical Visits on Stress, Microbiome, and Quality of Life in Women Experiencing Perimenopause and Menopause

While perimenopause and menopause are natural biological transitions, women may experience a wide range of physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms. Although pharmacological options for symptom relief are available, these options may not be acceptable or suitable for all women. Integrative approaches for symptom relief, offered through group medical visits, may complement traditional therapies by increasing access to providers, allowing more time for focused education, and fostering supportive discussions with other women experiencing similar symptoms of perimenopause or menopause. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of eight monthly group medical visits that incorporate individual physical assessments, focused education on the foundational elements of Lifestyle Medicine relative to health and well-being, mindfulness practices, and community-building discussions with women experiencing perimenopause or menopause. Individual outcomes, obtained before the group medical visits begin, at each monthly group medical visit, and four months after the group medical visits are completed, will include measures of participants' perimenopause or menopause symptoms, stress, inflammation, microbiome (good bacteria in the body), height/weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and self-reported perceptions of physical, mental, and social health. Each 120-minute monthly group medical visit, led by a specially trained nurse practitioner and a mindfulness instructor, will include a brief physical assessment, educational discussions related to menopause and lifestyle medicine, experiential mindfulness practices, and the development of individual health and well-being goals.

Effects of a Dietary Supplement in Women With Late Perimenopause or Early Postmenopause

This study will evaluate the effects of a plant extract-based dietary supplement on menopausal symptoms and health indicators in women with late perimenopause or early postmenopause. Approximately 120 women aged 42 to 60 years will be randomly assigned to receive either the dietary supplement or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Neither the participants nor the research team will know the assigned treatment during the study. Assessments will include the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats, menopausal symptoms, quality of life, sleep quality, emotional well-being, body composition, and selected laboratory parameters.

Cuidar-ME, a Web-based Psychological Intervention for (Peri)Menopausal Women: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

The Cuidar-ME program is a web-based cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to promote well-being and mental health in women during (peri)menopause. The main goal of this research is to evaluate its acceptability, feasibility and preliminary evidence of efficacy of the intervention. This pilot randomized controlled trial uses a two-arm design and serves as a preliminary step before a full-scale RCT. A sample of at least 150 (peri)menopausal women, aged 40 to 60, will be recruited online. Participants who meet the eligibility criteria will be randomly assigned to either the web-based intervention (Cuidar-ME) or a waitlist control condition (which will receive access to the program after the study concludes). Participation in this study will last approximately 3 months. Participants in both conditions will be invited by the researchers via email to complete baseline and post-intervention assessments. These assessments will include self-report questionnaires evaluating several outcomes (e.g., quality of life, menopausal symptoms, depressive and anxiety symptoms, menopause representations, etc.), potential mechanisms of treatment response (emotional regulation and self-compassion), as well as user acceptability and feasibility.

Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN) for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Perimenopause

Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN) will be administered to women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and perimenopause. The investigators will examine whether tAN improves symptomology by collecting self-report data before the intervention, during the intervention, and following the intervention.

Exercise in Perimenopause to Improve Cognitive Health

Perimenopause is now considered a possible risk factor for dementia and may contribute to the fact that 2/3 of those living with Alzheimer's disease are females. Indeed, research studies show that middle-aged females demonstrate significant declines in their thinking abilities and detrimental changes in their brains as they go through perimenopause. Thus, perimenopausal females need strategies to bolster their brain health. The World Health Organization strongly recommends physical activity interventions to reduce the risk of decline in thinking abilities. However, whether exercise can improve thinking abilities and brain health in perimenopausal females has not been examined. Our research aims to address this important knowledge gap in female brain health. We will study the effects of a 6-month resistance exercise training (e.g., lifting free weights, exercise with weight machine) program on thinking abilities in 50 physically inactive perimenopausal females, aged 40 to 55 years, who are experiencing difficulties with their thinking abilities. In addition to measuring thinking abilities, we will determine if exercise benefits muscle health, heart health, sleep quality, psychological well-being, menopausal symptoms, and quality of life. We will also explore how resistance exercise training improves thinking abilities as such information can lead to new discoveries and therapies for brain health in females.

The Effect of Structured Health Information-Seeking Training on Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy in Menopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled study will examine whether two different forms of structured health information-seeking education can help women in perimenopause or postmenopause use online health information more effectively. It will assess whether video-based education and Pecha Kucha-based education reduce cyberchondria, which refers to repeated online health searches that may increase health-related worry, and improve e-health literacy and knowledge about menopause. The study will include 60 women aged 40 to 65 years. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to a video-based education group, a Pecha Kucha-based education group, or a control group, with 20 participants in each group. The education will cover how to identify reliable online health sources, evaluate health information, recognize misleading content, use effective search methods, and avoid online searching behaviors that may increase anxiety. The control group will not receive structured education during the study period. Outcomes will be assessed before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and one month later. The findings will help determine which educational method is more effective in supporting safe and informed online health information-seeking among women during the menopausal transition.

Melatonin Effects on Cardiovascular Disease Mechanisms in Midlife Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of this research is to study the effects of 12 weeks of melatonin supplementation compared to placebo in women who are in the menopause transition (perimenopause) and have high blood pressure.

Effects of a Synbiotic Intervention on Perimenopausal/Menopausal Symptoms

FemmeBiome Meno is a synbiotic supplement, meaning it contains both probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (a special kind of fiber that feeds these bacteria). It is made up of: One capsule with 4 carefully selected bacterial strains and one sachet of powdered fiber. Both the capsule and the fiber sachet are taken daily. There are also placebo versions (lookalike products with no active ingredients) for use in the clinical trial. This specific combination of bacteria and fiber has not been studied before. However, previous research on the individual bacterial strains has shown several promising effects, such as: Reducing inflammation in lab tests on vaginal cells. Lowering stress-related hormones. Supporting general feelings of well-being. Helping maintain a healthy gut barrier, which is crucial for immune and digestive health. The fiber helps nourish both the added bacteria and the helpful microbes already present in the body. Some of these bacteria are believed to be reduced during menopause, especially those involved in estrogen metabolism. Why This Study Matters The aim of this study is to see whether FemmeBiome Meno can ease some of the most common and disruptive symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. In a survey of over 100 women, the top concerns were: Poor sleep Anxiety Brain fog (difficulty thinking clearly) The study also aims to examine how the supplement affects gut and vaginal health, which are both influenced by the drop in reproductive hormones during this stage of life. With so many women affected and such limited options currently available, there is a clear and urgent need for effective, science-backed natural solutions. The FemmeBiome Meno study hopes to fill that gap by providing a validated product that can genuinely support women's health during midlife and beyond.

12-week Magnesium Supplementation on Peri-menopause Symptoms, Cognition, Sleep, and Psychological Well-being

Perimenopause is a transition phase into menopause, characterised by menopausal symptoms while menstrual periods are still occurring. Common symptoms of perimenopause include hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, anxiety, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. These symptoms can be both frequent and intense, with the potential to significantly deteriorate women's quality of life. Despite an increase in public discourse around menopause, there are still large gaps in knowledge. Previous literature has suggested a relationship between diet and menopause management. However, studies in this area are limited and women often rely on social media for advice on supplements to address menopause complaints. One supplement that has received a lot of attention with purported benefits for menopause is magnesium, primarily due to its links to energy and or/sleep, however no studies have explored psychological effects of magnesium supplementation in perimenopause. The aim of this study is to explore the effects of 12-weeks magnesium supplementation on perimenopause symptoms, cognition, sleep, and psychological well-being.

12-week Multi-vitamin/Mineral Supplementation on Peri-menopause Symptoms, Cognition, Sleep, and Psychological Well-being.

Perimenopause is a stage of transition into menopause that is marked by menopausal symptoms while menstruation is still taking place. Perimenopause symptoms include mood changes, anxiety, sleep disruptions, hot flushes, night sweats, fatigue, and cognitive challenges. The frequency and severity of these symptoms can seriously impair women's quality of life. Even if the public's awareness on menopause has increased, there are still a lot of unanswered questions. A connection between nutrition and menopause management has been proposed in earlier research. However, there is limited research in this field, and women frequently turn to social media for supplement recommendations in order to deal with menopause-related issues. Vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D and calcium are recommended by the European Menopause and Andropause Society and there is limited evidence to suggests that soy and herbals may have a beneficial effect on menopausal symptoms, but more research is needed. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of 12-weeks multi-vitamin/mineral and herbal extract-containing supplement on menopause symptoms, memory and concentration, sleep, and psychological well-being.

Hemodynamics After Resistance Training

Women's blood vessel health gets worse after menopause, or "the change of life". Some women exercise less during menopause. Exercise can improve blood vessel health. The investigators want to know if resistance exercise, like lifting weights, can improve blood vessel health in women who are just starting menopause. The investigators also want to know if lifting weights can improve mood, sleep, and quality of life in women going through menopause. The investigators will have two groups of women for this study. One group will lift weights (do resistance exercise) twice per week, and the other group will get emails with information about menopause. The investigators will measure blood vessel health, sleep, mood, and menopause symptoms at the start and the end of this study and compare women who did and did not exercise.

Vaginal Estradiol vs Moisturizer to Improve Postmenopausal Vaginal Aging Symptoms and the Microbiome in Women Living With HIV

This is a research study about the effects of vaginal estradiol compared to moisturizer on vaginal symptoms of menopause and the microbiome in women with HIV. This research study aims to understand how vaginal products affect the aging of the female genital tract in women living with HIV who are menopausal or perimenopausal and have vaginal or urinary symptoms. There is a comparison group of women who are living without HIV. Participants with HIV and vaginal or urinary menopausal symptoms (e.g., dryness, irritation, soreness, itching, pain with sex, dysuria, urgency, or frequent urinary tract infections) will be asked to apply vaginal estradiol or a vaginal moisturizer (Replens). Participants who have vaginal or urinary menopausal symptoms and do not have HIV will receive vaginal estradiol.

Amygdala Insula Retraining in the Management of Perimenopause Symptoms

The goal of this study is to evaluate a neuroplasticity-based mind-body intervention, Amygdala and Insula Retraining (AIR), compared to a wait-list control in individuals experiencing perimenopausal symptoms. Our research questions include: Does AIR reduce overall perimenopausal symptom burden compared to a wait-list control? Does AIR improve sleep disturbance, vasomotor symptom interference, fatigue, mood, anxiety, and quality of life in perimenopausal individuals? Are symptom changes associated with improvements in autonomic regulation and sleep parameters, as reflected by exploratory wearable measures including heart rate variability?

Cognitive Task Sensitivity in Perimenopause and Nutritional Status

Perimenopause is when you have symptoms of menopause but your periods have not stopped. Brain-related changes are just one of the many symptoms that occur, and changes to memory and concentration ("brain fog") are frequently reported to be a challenge to those experiencing them. Diet is also understood to play an important role during menopause, however there is still more to learn about the direct impact of nutrition on brain-related symptoms associated with perimenopause. The aim of this research is to identify mental tasks capable of capturing perimenopause-related changes and to better understand how diet might account for differences in mental task performance.

Impact of Cannabinoids on Menopause Symptoms

The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of the hemp-derived minor cannabinoids on symptoms of menopause/perimenopause.

Our Transitions: Improving the Path to Menopause With Personal Digital Health Technologies

The goal of this observational study is to build knowledge about the path to menopause using subjective, self-reported and objectively measured information from multiple wearable study devices and a smartphone app. This study is being done in female individuals who are 35-55 years of age. The eventual aim of this work is two-fold; 1) to increase knowledge, awareness and education for individuals and clinicians about the lived experience of perimenopause and menopause through objectively measured data from digital study devices, and 2) to develop approaches to empower female individuals to manage this transition by learning what improves or worsens their symptoms.

Occupational Disruption and Role Strain During Perimenopause

The purpose of this sequential exploratory mixed-methods study is to examine the relationship between perimenopausal symptom severity and occupational performance, occupational balance, and role participation in women aged 40-55. A secondary purpose is to explore the lived experience of occupational disruption during perimenopause through qualitative interviews.

Impact of Estradiol on Endothelial Function in Peri-Menopausal Women

The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of estradiol (E2) on the mechanisms that regulate vascular endothelial function in peri-menopausal (PERI) women. This study is the first step in understanding factors contributing to endothelial dysfunction in women with advancing reproductive age and in response to E2 administration.

Intra Ovarian Muse Cell Injection for Perimenopause Symptom Relief and Ovarian Function Restoration (MUSE-OVARY)

This observational study examines the safety and effects of injecting Muse cells (a type of naturally occurring stem like cells found in adult tissues such as fat or bone marrow) directly into the ovaries of women aged 28 to 70 who are going through peri-menopause. Perimenopause is the transition time before menopause when hormone levels fluctuate, periods become irregular, and many women experience symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes, and reduced energy. Current treatments mainly manage symptoms but do not restore natural ovarian function. Muse cells have special properties: they can help repair tissues, reduce inflammation, support cell energy production, and promote a healthier environment in the ovaries. In this study, women who choose to receive ultrasound guided Muse cell injections into their ovaries as part of their own regenerative care will be carefully followed. Researchers will monitor safety, hormone levels (such as FSH, estrogen, and AMH), ovarian follicle counts via ultrasound, menstrual patterns, and quality of life improvements using questionnaires. The study does not assign treatment - participants and their doctors decide on the procedure, and information is collected in a standardized way over 24 months (with longer safety follow-up). The goal is to gather real world data on whether this approach can help stabilize hormones and support ovarian tissue during perimenopause. No placebos or experimental drugs are used in this observational study.

The Effects of Resistance Training and a Plant-Based Supplement on Perimenopausal Symptoms and Muscle Health.

The aim of this clinical trial is to determine if resistance training and a newly developed plant-based nutritional supplement can improve the symptoms and musculoskeletal health of perimenopausal women. The main questions it aims to evaluate are: 1. Can resistance training and the nutritional supplement - both independently and in combination - improve perimenopausal symptoms (e.g. cognition, mood, sleep) and musculoskeletal outcomes (e.g. strength, muscle mass)? 2. What are the acute effects of the nutritional supplement on cognitive function and mood in perimenopausal women, and is this response altered following long-term intake (12 weeks)? 3. What mechanisms may be contributing to the results? Participants will be split into four groups to allow the researchers to answer the above questions. These are: 1. The nutritional supplement + resistance training 2. The nutritional supplement only 3. The placebo supplement (A look alike capsule that contains no active ingredients) and resistance training 4. The Placebo supplement only. Participants will: * Take their allocated supplement daily and perform home-based strength exercise 3 times per week (for exercise groups), for 12 weeks. * Attend the laboratory at the beginning and end of the 12 weeks to assess cognitive function and mood following acute intake of the supplement. * Attend the laboratory every 4 weeks during the 12 week period, for assessment of cognitive function, symptom severity and muscle health. * Provide a blood sample at each visit for assessment of mechanistic pathways.

AMH Dynamic Changes to Predict Ovarian Reserve in Perimenopausal Breast Cancer

This study is a prospective observational cohort study aimed at developing a clinical model based on dynamic changes in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) to predict ovarian reserve in perimenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The study will enroll approximately 300 women aged 45-55 years with perimenopausal status confirmed by menstrual history and hormone levels (FSH 10-40 IU/L, E2 \>20 pg/mL). Participants will be stratified by treatment regimen: (A) chemotherapy plus endocrine therapy, (B) chemotherapy plus targeted therapy plus endocrine therapy, and (C) endocrine therapy alone. Blood samples will be collected at seven time points to measure AMH, FSH, E2, and LH. Menstrual patterns and menopausal symptoms will be recorded prospectively. The primary outcome is the association between dynamic AMH changes and the occurrence of menopause. A predictive model will be constructed using LASSO regression and Cox proportional hazards models, with internal validation by bootstrap resampling. The goal is to develop a clinically applicable tool to guide endocrine therapy decisions-including the duration of ovarian function suppression (OFS), choice between tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors (AIs), and selection of CDK4/6 inhibitors-as well as to provide individualized fertility preservation counseling for perimenopausal breast cancer patients.

Multi-Acupoint Laser Therapy for Body Shape and Composition in Obese Menopausal Women

The purpose of this study is to integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory and therapeutic methods with modern low-level laser stimulation on corresponding acupoints, applying this combined approach to the field of weight management in menopausal women. The trial aims to investigate whether lifestyle modifications in accordance with WHO guidelines (dietary control and exercise), combined with adjunctive low-level laser acupuncture, can enhance weight reduction and improve body composition more effectively than standard lifestyle interventions alone.

Impact of Intermittent Fasting on the Mental Health of Perimenopausal Women

This study will explore how intermittent fasting (specifically the 16/8 method) affects the mental health of women who are in the perimenopause stage. This life stage often brings hormonal changes that can impact emotional and physical well-being. The study will include 98 women aged 45-55, who will be randomly divided into two groups. The study will compare the mental health outcomes of those who follow intermittent fasting with those who do not, using independent t-tests to analyze the results. The goal is to better understand if intermittent fasting can help improve mental health during perimenopause.