The Mindful Menopause Project

In the years leading up to menopause – known as the menopause transition – women experience a 2-4 fold increased risk of developing depression. Our research suggests that the hormonal environment of the menopause transition may contribute to this increased risk by sensitising women to stress, making them more vulnerable to depressed mood when they encounter stressful life events. Psychological interventions aimed at reducing stress sensitivity may therefore benefit this population. Funded by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, the Mindful Menopause Project aimed to test the efficacy of an intervention called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), an 8-week group program which combines yoga and meditation techniques, in reducing the risk of depression in the menopause transition. 

 This study is currently in the data analysis phase. Check back in the future for a summary of our findings!