Talking therapies and mindfulness ‘can ease menopause symptoms’
MEDITATION and talking therapies could be prescribed to treat anxiety and depression caused by the menopause, a major study has claimed.
An analysis of data from 30 studies looked at the benefits of mindfulness techniques and cognitive behavioural therapy.The interventions were found to improve quality of life and ease symptoms such as anxiety and depression. There was also limited evidence of benefits for memory and concentration.
Experts said such interventions would not replace hormone replacement therapy but could be a vital additional tool to “give women choices”.
Study author Professor Aimee Spector, an expert in the clinical psychology of ageing at UCL, said HRT was not suitable for everyone.
She added: “I had very significant brain fog in my early 40s and I took HRT.
“It was transformational. I had to stop taking HRT because I was diagnosed with breast cancer and I was given no alternatives. There will be many other people who have symptoms and are told there’s nothing to do apart from watch and wait.That’s a difficult position to be in.”
The research, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, involved data from 14 countries including the UK and US. The findings suggested women’s low mood “significantly benefited” from CBT and mindfulness. Data from 11 studies showed a small to medium effect when it came to improvement in anxiety, which equates to some alleviation of symptoms, though they would not be gone completely. When it came to depression, CBT had a small to medium effect, while mindfulness had a small effect. Overall, both interventions offered a medium to large effect on improvement in quality of life.
Prof Spector said around 30% of women going through menopause have a first depressive episode, while “anxiety is highly prevalent” and half report tension, nervousness or irritability.
She added: “HRT is not clinically indicated for everyone such as breast cancer survivors, and that its usage is variable depending on certain factors. “In certain ethnic groups such as south-east Asian and Afro-Caribbean populations, there seems to be a much lower uptake, and those who are socially disadvantaged often don’t get access to HRT. Having holistic interventions can provide options for people who maybe aren’t eligible, don’t want HRT, or possibly as an addition to HRT.”
Draft guidance for the NHS last year said women should be offered talking therapy to combat the symptoms of the menopause. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said women should be given a better understanding of the risks and benefits of HRT.
It replaces the hormones oestrogen, progestogen, or both, and can be administered using gels, creams, pessaries, tablets or sprays.