The Swiss Perimenopause Study - study protocol of a longitudinal prospective study in perimenopausal women

• Main Authors: Jasmine Willi (Author), Hannah Süss (Author), Ulrike Ehlert (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2020-07-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/s40695-020-00052-1; 2054-2690
• Keywords: Perimenopause; Menopausal transition; Reproductive aging; Women's health; Resilience; Depression; Medicine; R; Gynecology and obstetrics; RG1-991
• Source: Women's Midlife Health, Vol 6, Iss 1, Pp 1-13 (2020)

Abstract Background The perimenopause is associated with considerable biopsychosocial changes. The majority of women manage to adjust to these changes and cope well with the shift from reproductive to non-reproductive life. However, some women develop burdensome physical and psychological symptoms during the perimenopause. A strong link between menopausal complaints and depressed mood has been shown in this regard. To date, the decisive factors determining whether a woman will successfully achieve a healthy transition remain unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate a range of theory-based markers related to health in perimenopausal women. Methods The Swiss Perimenopause Study comprises a sample of 135 healthy perimenopausal women aged 40-56. A variety of health-related genetic, epigenetic, endocrinological, physiological, and psychosocial markers associated with the menopausal transition are investigated over a period of 13 months. Discussion The Swiss Perimenopause Study will contribute to a better understanding of the biopsychosocial processes associated with the perimenopause, which should help to improve the clinical care of women undergoing the menopausal transition.