A Perimenopause/Menopause Support Research Program: A Pilot Study

Vol. 2 No. 1

Year: 2012

Issue: Feb-Apr

Title: A Perimenopause/Menopause Support Research Program: A Pilot Study 

Author Name: Carol Caico 

Synopsis: 

The purpose of this paper is to determine if symptomatic Perimenopause and Menopause women who attend a 10 week educational and support program will better cope with symptoms and gain knowledge to empower them to make informed decisions. IRB approval was obtained and participants signed consents. Symptomatic perimenopause and menopause aged women were recruited by posters place in many locations. 8 participants agreed to attend atleast 7 weekly sessions. 2 questionnaires were completed pre-group and participants assigned numbers so anonymity was maintained. The weekly group was started with an educational component utilizing powerpoints from the North American Menopause Society and presented by the PI who is a Board Certified NP, Menopause Clinician and Certified as an Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Specialist. The group led the discussion. At the last session the same 2 questionnaires were completed to be analyzed for changes from start of program to end. Also comment forms were completed. Qualitative method was used by information from sessions and comment forms and qualitative was used to evaluate the 2 pre and post questionnaires. The results shows that statistically the 2 questionnaires did not show significance from the pre and post results. The themes, discussion and comment form clearly proved that the support program provided education, empowered the women with knowledge to help them make informed choices regarding their health and symptoms and the support make them feel they were not alone in their feelings. The conclusion indicates that support groups should be widespread and nurses who are educated in the physical and emotional changes of this period in women's lives are the best to educated and support these women through this chapter in their lives.