Participants from Cheshire and Merseyside needed for menopause research

Women in Cheshire and Merseyside currently undergoing or having completed the menopause are invited to take part in a study looking at the links between food intake, nutrition and menopause symptoms. 

Launched by Dr Tanja Harrison, Lecturer in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Chester, the online survey aims to find out how women in the regions are affected by menopausal symptoms and whether their diet plays any role in this. Dr Harrison also wants to use the findings to inform employers about any potential struggles these members of their workforce may be facing and to consider future public health messages. 

The menopause is a time of transition for every woman, which most likely (but not necessarily) occurs between the ages of 45 to 55. This is when periods start to become irregular due to fluctuating hormone levels until they eventually stop. During this time women might or might not experience a number of symptoms, such as hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog and insomnia to name just a few. The menopausal transition is likely to last several years, even if the last period was over 12 months ago and symptoms can still be experienced post menopause. 

The online survey is confidential, takes no more than 30 minutes to complete and participation is voluntary. Participants are invited to complete this at any time before 31 March 2023. 

Dr Harrison said: “I encourage women to take part in this story so that they can develop a greater awareness of menopausal symptoms and use this awareness to ask more informed questions of their health providers. 

“The findings will give a picture of how women in the Cheshire and Merseyside regions are experiencing the menopause and help inform better communication strategies to help them make good dietary choices during and after the menopause. 

“Finally, the findings can help to inform employers on this as well so that better support can be provided in the workplace for women during and after the menopause.” 

To take part in the survey visit https://chester.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/mncm