Women's Experiences on Complementary Therapies in Menopause - Research Proposal Example

 Women’s Experiences on Complementary Therapies in Menopause Introduction The period of menopause can be considered as one of the most significant periods in the growth and development of a female individual. This can be attributed to the changes that are being experienced by the body. During the said period, medical attention is usually given regarding the difficulty that can be experienced. There are different methods that are given to the patient to be able to counteract and ease the discomfort and the pain that are being experienced during the menopausal stage. Included in the physical manifestations of the disease are hot flashes, night sweats, and difficulty in sleeping. In such cases, the important focus of the study leads to the management and treatment of these conditions to be able to lessen the detrimental effects of the said stage (Keenan et al., 2003). The main objective of the study to be conducted is to be able to focus on the experiences that were undertaken by women during menopause in terms of the use of complementary treatments and therapies. Mainly, due to the fact that almost haft of the women population considered the use of complementary techniques the importance of considering the effects of the said methods can be considered an essential knowledge that can educated the population (Keenan et al., 2003). Statement of the Problem Due to the relevance of the study regarding the effects of complementary therapies in women specifically during the period of menopause, the main objective of the study to be undertaken is to present the experiences being faced by the said group. In relation to the issue it can be analyzed through the result of the study the possible dilemmas that are being undertaken of women regarding the effectiveness against the possible side effects of the therapies. The therapies and treatments that had been developed by the medical field to be able to assist the women once menopause is experienced can be considered as a choice that can be decided upon by the individual. In relation to this, the main concentration of the study is to be able to gather the experiences of the women that had chosen to utilize the contemporary methods. Specific Objectives of the Study The main objective of the study is to be able to determine the experiences of women in undergoing complementary therapies during the menopause stage. In relation to the said objectives, there are specific objective that are needed to be achieved. 1. To be able to determine the different forms of complementary therapies being utilized by women belonging to the group experiencing the menopause stage. 2. To present the study on the basis of the different issues affected by the stage in relation to the emotional, physical and social aspects of the experience. 3. To be able to present the view of the sample population on the experiences regarding the different forms of complementary therapies on the manifestations and conditions related to menopause. Related Terms The terms that are needed through the course of the study that will be undertaken include the different therapies that can be applied and utilized by the women undergoing the stage of menopause. 1. Hormone therapy (HT or HRT) HT is one of the methods that are used as complementary therapy on the basis of supplementation of the hormones that are lost during the stage of menopause. The targets of the said therapy are symptoms that are exhibited due to decrease of estrogen such as hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness (Nedrow et al., 2006). 2. Phytoestrogen One of the complementary therapies used for the manifestations of menopause. There are 2 types of the said substance, the dietary and the supplementary phytoestrogen known to effectively reduce hot flushes (Nedrow et al., 2006). 3. Bioidentical hormones These are chemically prepared substances that can take the form of any type of medication. The said therapy requires the prescription of a doctor due to the fact that synthesis requires the medical background of the patient to suit the specific case (MacLennan & Sturdee, 2006). 4. Wild yam cream The wild yam cream can be considered as a traditional therapy that presently lacks the intensive evidence of being able to have effective and feasible results (Nedrow et al., 2006). 5. Herbal medicine Another form of alternative therapy on the basis of the medicinal properties of herbs, herbal medicine compared to other alternative medications can be considered to have more potent effects due to active ingredients that plant sources possess (Low Dog, 2005). Related Literature The study undertaken is based on different research project that had been undertaken. It covers the different scenarios and concepts that are related to the complementary therapies that are undertaken by women during the menopausal stage. The effects that can be attributed to menopause cover the different aspects of the person. This is due to the major changes that are experienced by the body. In the research conducted by Murtagh and Hepworth, the danger that can be attributed to the delay in decision of women in undergoing therapy can affect the effectiveness and the potency of the method. Also the decision making of women empower them creating a field of research focusing on the stage that they undergo (2003). On the other hand, possible risks are identified in relation to the utilization of the complementary therapies. Such risks created dilemma due to the fact that women can identify the need for giving attention to the condition but risks and side effects can be experienced. Also the level of the consciousness of the women population is also determined to be able to identify the possible effect of the knowledge of the risks on the continued utilization of the therapies (Castelo-Branco et al., 2006). The two studies that are presented are included in the basis of the concepts that are undertaken in the research to be conducted. On the basis of both the research design to be used and the relatedness of the issue targeted, the study conducted by Newton, Buist, Keenan, Anderson, and LaCroix in 2002 is one of the references. The study focused on the prevalence of the different therapies undertaken in women ages 45 to 65. The study was conducted through an interview research. Results showed that there is comparatively higher number of women on the basis of the sample population that use any form of therapy compared to those who do not (Newton, Buist, Keenan, Anderson, and LaCroix, 2002). Methodology In the proposed study, the determination of the experiences of women in the utilization of the different complementary therapies is the main objective to be determined through the application of a descriptive and qualitative form of study. A. Study design The study will be undertaken through the gathering of the information related to the different experiences of women through the integration of the data gathered by different authors. This is the basis if the results of the qualitative study that can be undertaken through survey of the opinions of the chosen population regarding their choice therapy (Hoepfl, 1997). The descriptive qualitative research through a survey data gathering will be undertaken In the course of the proposed study. Different views are noted and taken into consideration. One of the main objectives is to be able present the points of view of the sample population of women undergoing the said period through interview and responses. Another view that is taken into consideration includes the view of the experts regarding the different techniques that are presented through the research studies that are undertaken and published (Brooker, 2003). The study to be undertaken then is a combination of the qualitative research process through survey of the experiences of women in a sample population and the comparative study of the results from the survey process to the recommendations of the medical experts through library-based research of the prior studies that were undertaken by different scientific groups. The said method was undertaken due to the effectiveness of survey research in qualitative study. B. Subjects The target population of the study to be undertaken is composed of women that are undergoing the menopause stage that belong to ages ranging from 40 to 60. An ideal 300 respondents is projected. Interviews can be conducted through telephone and personal interviews chosen randomly. With regards to the accessibility of the respondents, it can be considered to have easily accessible subjects due to the fact that it can be experienced by the women population, the only different is the age group thus the study can be considered to have attainable subjects. C. Variables Due to the qualitative nature of the research process and the variables can be considered to vary. The dependent variables are the experiences that are exhibited on the utilization of the therapies. On the other hand, the methods and therapies are the independent variables. D. Data Collection and Sampling Process There are two important stages of the research process to be conducted. One is the data gathering of published information related to the issue of the advantages and disadvantages of the methods that targets the manifestation of menopause in women. This is to be able to project the feasibility of utilization of the said therapies and treatments. Another part then is the survey process which can sample and present a qualitative concept of the research that focus on the personal experiences of the respondents in using the complementary therapies. E. Data Organization and Analysis Subsequent to the collection of data, is the organization. The data are pooled and the concepts that are gathered are classified, grouped and organized. This phase will enable to promote for a structured, methodical and logical analysis of the data gathered. The results shall reveal the answered to the objectives set by the study referring to the analysis of the experiences of the women that utilized therapy compared to those who did not and the possible reasons that can explain the results. Conclusion The data presented in the study that was conducted focused on the determination of the different methods of therapy used by women during the period of menopause. On the basis of the experiences of the respondents in the proposed survey process, the determination of the effectiveness of each therapy is targeted. The feasibility of the study can be considered as highly probable due to the high accessibility in respondents and a large percentage of women that had tried or used these methods. Based on the conducted preliminary study on the possible course in the research process, it can be considered as a task that required dedication and attention due to the need for extensive research and in-depth analysis. Keen ability to details is also important to be able to properly translate and analyze events during the study. References Bertero, C. (2003). What do women think about menopause? A qualitative study of women's expectations, apprehensions and knowledge about the climacteric period. Int Nurs Rev, 2003 Jun, 50(2), 109-18. Brooker, L. (2003). Integrating New Technologies in UK Classrooms: Lessons for Teachers from Early Years Practitioners. Children Education, 79 (5), 261. Castelo-Branco, C., Peralta, S., Ferrer, J., Palacios, S., Cornago, S. and Quereda, F. (2006). The dilemma of menopause and hormone replacement--a challenge for women and health-care providers: knowledge of menopause and hormone therapy in Spanish menopausal women. Climacteric, 2006 Oct, 9(5), 380-7. Hoepfl, M. C. (1997). Choosing qualitative research: A primer for technology education researchers. Journal of Technology Education, 9(1). Low Dog, T. (2005). Menopause: a review of botanical dietary supplements. Am J Med 2005, 118, 12B, 98S-108S. Kang, H. J., Ansbacher, R. and Hammoud, M. M. (2002). Use of alternative and complementary medicine in menopause. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2002 Dec, 79(3), 195-207. Keenan, N. L., Mark, S., Fugh-Berman, A., Browne, D., Kaczmarczyk, J. and Hunter, C. (2003). Severity of menopausal symptoms and use of both conventional and complementary/alternative therapies. Menopause, 2003 Nov-Dec, 10(6), 507-15. Kessel, B. and Kronenberg, F. (2004). The role of complementary and alternative medicine in management of menopausal symptoms. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am, 2004 Dec, 33(4), 717-39. Kronenberg, F. and Fugh-Berman, A. (2002). Complementary and alternative medicine for menopausal symptoms: a review of randomized, controlled trials. Ann Intern Med, 2002 Nov 19, 137(10), 805-13. MacLennan, A. H. and Sturdee, D. W. (2006). The "Bio-identical/Bioequivalent" hormone scam (editorial) Climacteric 2006, 9, 1-3. McMillan, T. L. and Mark, S. (2004). Complementary and alternative medicine and physical activity for menopausal symptoms. J Am Med Womens Assoc, 2004 Fall, 59(4), 270-7. McNagny, S. E. (1999). Prescribing hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms. Ann Intern Med, 1999 Oct 19, 131(8), 605-16. Murtagh, M. J. and Hepworth, J. (2003). Menopause as a long-term risk to health: implications of general practitioner accounts of prevention for women's choice and decision-making. Sociol Health Illn, 2003 Mar, 25(2), 185-207. Nedrow, A., Miller, J., Walker, M., Nygren, P., Huffman, L. H. and Nelson, H. D. (2007). Complementary and alternative therapies for the management of menopause-related symptoms: a systematic evidence review. Arch Intern Med, 2006 Jul 24, 166(14), 1453-65. Newton, K. M., Buist, D. S., Keenan, N. L., Anderson, L. A. and LaCroix, A. Z. (2002). Use of alternative therapies for menopause symptoms: results of a population-based survey. Obstet Gynecol, 2002 Jul, 100(1), 18-25. Pettigrew, A. C., King, M. O., McGee, K. and Rudolph, C. (2004). Complementary therapy use by women's health clinic clients. Altern Ther Health Med, 2004 Nov-Dec, 10(6), 50-5. Schindler, B. (2006). Alternative therapy for menopausal complaints. Med Monatsschr Pharm, 2006 Dec, 29(12), 457. Seidl, M. M. and Stewart, D. E. (1998). Alternative treatments for menopausal symptoms. Qualitative study of women's experiences. Can Fam Physician, 1998 Jun, 44, 1271-6. Wathen, C. N. (2006). Alternatives to hormone replacement therapy: a multi-method study of women's experiences. Complement Ther Med, 2006 Sep, 14(3), 185-92. Questionnaire 1. How old are you? a. 40 and below b. 41-45 c. 46-50 d. 51-55 e. 56-60 f. 60 and above 2. Do you experience menopausal manifestations? a. Yes b. No 3. Which of the following menopausal effects do u experience? a. Hot flushes b. Vaginal Dryness c. Night Sweats 4. Are you familiar of the complementary therapies that are used to be able to give attention to the manifestations and symptoms of menopause? a. Yes b. No 5. Do you consider the use of complementary therapies? a. Yes b. No 6. Which method to prefer to use? a. Bioidentical Hormones b. Phytoestrogen c. Wild Yam Creams d. Herbal Medicines e. Non-prescription supplements f. Prescription medications 7. Are you aware of the benefits of complementary therapies? a. Yes b. No 8. Are you aware of the possible risks? a. Yes b. No 9. In spite of the known risks are you still willing to undergo complementary therapies? a. Yes b. No 10. If you had been undergoing complementary therapies, what are the side effects that you can observe in your body? ___________________________________________ Read More