TUS researchers seek participants for perimenopausal lifestyle project

Researchers from TUS are developing a perimenopausal lifestyle programme and looking to recruit women from the Athlone area to take part.

Menopause is when a women’s menstrual periods stop, followed by a year of no periods. It is a natural process that occurs in women’s lives as a part of normal aging and signifies the end of the reproductive life span with changes in the hormone’s oestrogen and progesterone. The average age of menopause occurs at 51 years.

The years leading up to menopause are referred to as perimenopause. During this time hormones are fluctuating and for some this can be accompanied by physical and emotional changes. Many women experience the discomfort of hot flushes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness and anxiety during the months and years leading up to their final period and for some time afterwards (post menopause). Many women also report muscle aches, tiredness, lack of sex drive, increased appetite, cravings and putting on weight and body shape changes. Researchers from the SHE Research Centre at TUS led by Dr Trish Heavey have found that 78% of Irish women reported that their menopausal symptoms interfere in their daily activities and the majority (77%) of women feel they lacked knowledge and are unprepared for menopause.

There are many ways to manage perimenopausal symptoms, with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) a common choice. For some, this treatment may not be a suitable option and for others may not be the first choice. We know that lifestyle factors, including choosing a nutritionally adequate diet, alongside smoking cessation, and engaging in regular exercise, may also be helpful in relieving some symptoms and also maintain good health during the perimenopausal stage and beyond.

That is why the research team at TUS have developed this programme. "We are really keen to support perimenopausal women," said Dr Trish Heavey "and we are delighted to have developed a six-week lifestyle programme aimed at 45-55 year old women." The programme which will start in January 2025 includes two resistance training classes and one health-related or nutrition education session per week, along with a one-off Saturday morning workshop. Those taking part will also be guided through behaviour change strategies helping participants overcome their own barriers to exercise and a healthy diet, and also maintain the exercise and diet habits that they learn throughout the six weeks.

If you would like to learn more about the study, please register your interest using the QR code, or email edel.flynn@tus.ie