Dr. Marnie Vanden Noven, Associate Professor of Exercise Science, answers questions about her recent research project entitled Complementary and Alternative Medicines for Menopause.

What is your research topic? Why did you choose it?
Two studies, to understand the types of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) and practices women use to treat symptoms related to menopause and to determine if the loss of sex hormones associated with premature and early menopause in women contributes to higher muscle sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure, and attenuates baroreflex function.

What are some of your most interesting results?
The most commonly chosen form of treatment for symptoms related to menopause was exercise, with walking, swimming, and group fitness classes being the most commonly utilized.

What is the importance/application of your research?
Menopause age was not significantly correlated with blood pressure reactivity. The goal is to share this study with health care professionals to help with medical management of Cardio Vascular Disease in postmenopausal women as well as decision-making related to medical procedures that can lead to early or premature menopause.

Where have you presented your research?
Because of Covid-19, this research has been shared only with the University of Minnesota Department of Physical Therapy. We hope to share this information at the Menopause conference in October, and publish the results of the CAM menopause survey later this year.