Cognitive behavioral interventions for the treatment of menopausal symptoms

Abstract

Hot flushes and night sweats (HF/NS), the main physical symptoms experienced during the menopause transition, tend to be problematic for approximately 20–25% of women. Hormone therapy (HT) is an effective treatment, but HT use has declined following the publication of results of clinical trials and HT is usually contraindicated for women who have had breast cancer. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for anxiety and depression, and exploratory trials suggest that it might be helpful for HF/NS. The results of two randomized controlled trials (MENOS 1 and MENOS 2), carried out with breast cancer patients and healthy women, suggest that CBT delivered in groups and in a guided self-help format can significantly reduce the impact of HF/NS. Additional benefits were found in mood and quality of life. CBT could therefore offer an alternative to women with troublesome HF/NS.