Faculty mentor/PI email address
collinsp@rowan.edu
Keywords
Menopause, Women's Health, Diet, Dietary Habits
IRB or IACUC Protocol Number
PRO-2025-90
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
BACKGROUND
Menopause is a naturally occurring process during a woman’s life that is associated with a variety of symptoms that can significantly impact daily life. Although hormone based therapies are available, they are not always effective or appropriate for all women. As a result, there is growing interest in diet as a potential non-pharmacologic method to manage symptoms, though current evidence is limited.
HYPOTHESIS
Dietary habits are associated with menopause symptom severity, with certain dietary patterns potentially influencing symptom burden.
METHODS
A cross-sectional, survey study was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed through social media. A total of 129 menopausal women participated. Data on dietary intake and symptom severity were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation and Kendall’s tau tests. Due to multiple comparisons, results were interpreted as exploratory, with statistical significance of p < 0.05.
RESULTS
Most dietary variables were not significantly associated with menopausal symptom severity, however, three statistically significant associations were identified. Flaxseed consumption was positively associated with exhaustion (ρ = 0.36, p = 0.0003). Dairy consumption showed a weak positive association with hot flash severity (ρ = 0.21, p = 0.0388), and soy consumption also demonstrated a weak positive association with hot flash severity (ρ = 0.25, p = 0.0132).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that dietary factors may have only a limited role in influencing menopausal symptom severity. Although three associations were identified, they were generally weak and exploratory. Further research with larger sample sizes and more rigorous study designs is needed to better understand and interpret these relationships.
Disciplines
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition | Medicine and Health Sciences | Women's Health
What are the Correlations Between the Severity of a Woman's Major Menopausal Symptoms and Their Eating Habits?
BACKGROUND
Menopause is a naturally occurring process during a woman’s life that is associated with a variety of symptoms that can significantly impact daily life. Although hormone based therapies are available, they are not always effective or appropriate for all women. As a result, there is growing interest in diet as a potential non-pharmacologic method to manage symptoms, though current evidence is limited.
HYPOTHESIS
Dietary habits are associated with menopause symptom severity, with certain dietary patterns potentially influencing symptom burden.
METHODS
A cross-sectional, survey study was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed through social media. A total of 129 menopausal women participated. Data on dietary intake and symptom severity were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation and Kendall’s tau tests. Due to multiple comparisons, results were interpreted as exploratory, with statistical significance of p < 0.05.
RESULTS
Most dietary variables were not significantly associated with menopausal symptom severity, however, three statistically significant associations were identified. Flaxseed consumption was positively associated with exhaustion (ρ = 0.36, p = 0.0003). Dairy consumption showed a weak positive association with hot flash severity (ρ = 0.21, p = 0.0388), and soy consumption also demonstrated a weak positive association with hot flash severity (ρ = 0.25, p = 0.0132).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that dietary factors may have only a limited role in influencing menopausal symptom severity. Although three associations were identified, they were generally weak and exploratory. Further research with larger sample sizes and more rigorous study designs is needed to better understand and interpret these relationships.