About this Research Topic

Background

This Research Topic is the first volume of "The Psychology of Menopause". Please see the second volume here.

The menopause transition and early postmenopausal years are associated with profound reproductive and hormonal changes, including fluctuating and eventual decreasing levels in ovarian estrogens and progesterones. This period, which can span up to 10 years, is a window of vulnerability for many physical, psychological and cognitive symptoms. For example, increased vulnerability to depressed mood, depressive disorders, increased anxiety, forgetfulness, poor attention/working memory, changes to higher order 'executive function' skills, insomnia, pain, and body image changes, have all been documented. An increased prevalence of vasomotor symptoms and sexual dysfunction also negatively impact quality of life. While there is enormous variability in the degree to which women experience these difficulties, risk and protective factors for the development of these symptoms is not clear. However, hormonal, genetic and psychosocial mechanisms have been hypothesized to play a role.

While great progress has been made in our knowledge of the medical aspects of menopause and the menopause transition, many gaps remain in our understanding of the psychological aspects of menopause. This Research Topic is therefore devoted to highlighting novel research that fills these gaps. Examples of the work we seek to attract include: high-quality research that clarifies the longitudinal trajectories of mental health, cognitive functioning, and quality of life in mid-life, research examining the behavioral, endocrine, and genetic contributors to the development of psychological and cognitive concerns throughout menopause and the menopause transition, and research exploring therapeutic interventions aimed at improving menopausal mental health, cognitive functioning, and quality of life.

We welcome contributions examining the following topics as they relate to the psychological experience of menopause, the menopause transition, and premature or surgical menopause:

• Mental health
• Cognition functioning
• Sleep
• Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats)
• Sexual dysfunction
• Body image

Keywords: Menopause, Perimenopause, psychology, cognition, mental health

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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