The purpose of the proposed study is to describe the natural history of the transition to menopause, integrating the endocrine changes of the menopausal transition with features of the social context in which they occur. Perceived stress, ovarian function, physiologic stress arousal indicators (cortisol and catecholamines, adrenal androgens) will be studied in relation to symptoms and symptom management strategies. Socialization, personal factors, health behaviors and health status will be studied as they modify the relationships between perceived stress, ovarian function, stress arousal hormones, symptoms and symptom management strategies. The proposed research will involve 150 women who have participated in an ongoing longitudinal study of midlife (Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study) from 1990 to 1995. Women will participate in an annual in-home interview including measures of health status and a health history update, keep a daily bleeding calendar, provide monthly early am urine specimens for analysis for ovarian steroids (estradiol, estrone, testosterone), adrenal androgens (DHA and DHAS), cortisol and catecholamines. Women will also complete a health update annually that includes selected measures of perceived stress, personal factors, socialization, health status changes, health behaviors (Food Frequency Questionnaire, exercise questionnaire, smoking and alcohol use questions) and use of health services for symptom management. The findings of this study will contribute to an integrative understanding of how biological changes of the menopausal transition and the context in which they occur relate to symptoms that cause distress and influence women's use of health services during midlife.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NR004141-04
Application #
2891246
Study Section
Nursing Research Study Section (NURS)
Program Officer
Phillips, Janice
Project Start
1996-09-01
Project End
2001-05-31
Budget Start
1999-06-01
Budget End
2000-05-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
135646524
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Woods, Nancy Fugate; Cray, Lori A; Mitchell, Ellen Sullivan et al. (2018) Polymorphisms in Estrogen Synthesis Genes and Symptom Clusters During the Menopausal Transition and Early Postmenopause: Observations From the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study. Biol Res Nurs 20:153-160
Mitchell, E S; Woods, N F (2015) Hot flush severity during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause: beyond hormones. Climacteric 18:536-44
Taylor-Swanson, L; Thomas, A; Ismail, R et al. (2015) Effects of traditional Chinese medicine on symptom clusters during the menopausal transition. Climacteric 18:142-56
Woods, Nancy Fugate; Cray, Lori; Mitchell, Ellen Sullivan et al. (2014) Endocrine biomarkers and symptom clusters during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause: observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study. Menopause 21:646-52
Woods, N F; Mitchell, E S; Schnall, J G et al. (2014) Effects of mind-body therapies on symptom clusters during the menopausal transition. Climacteric 17:10-22
Thomas, Annette J; Ismail, Rita; Taylor-Swanson, Lisa et al. (2014) Effects of isoflavones and amino acid therapies for hot flashes and co-occurring symptoms during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause: a systematic review. Maturitas 78:263-76
Cray, Lori A; Woods, Nancy Fugate; Herting, Jerald R et al. (2012) Symptom clusters during the late reproductive stage through the early postmenopause: observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study. Menopause 19:864-9
Woods, Nancy Fugate (2010) Menopause, symptoms, and quality of life: time for a theoretical framework. Menopause 17:892-3
Mitchell, E S; Woods, N F (2010) Pain symptoms during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause. Climacteric 13:467-78
Cray, Lori; Woods, Nancy Fugate; Mitchell, Ellen Sullivan (2010) Symptom clusters during the late menopausal transition stage: observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study. Menopause 17:972-7

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