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New AI-enhanced virtual reality program shows promise in helping manage menopause symptoms

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New AI-enhanced virtual reality program shows promise in helping manage menopause symptoms

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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has proven effective in managing a number of menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, insomnia, depression and sexual dysfunction. However, access remains limited.

A new study suggests that virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) could be effective in delivering CBT interventions. Results of the study will be presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in San Diego, Oct. 20–24, 2026.

Approximately 80% of midlife women experience hot flashes and night sweats, collectively known as vasomotor symptoms. These and other menopause symptoms, including sleep disturbances, mood changes and cognitive difficulties, can significantly impact women's lives.

Hormone therapy remains the gold-standard pharmacologic intervention, but recent data show that its use is low, with only 1.7% of U.S. women using it in 2023. That has led to the growth of nonpharmacologic treatment options, including CBT. A barrier to treatment, however, has been a lack of conveniently located providers.

Advances in virtual reality and artificial intelligence could help address this access gap. In a multicenter, small-scale study, researchers developed an AI-VR program, MenoZen VRTM, for menopause symptom management tailored to the biopsychosocial needs of midlife women. Participants ages 45 to 60 who had bothersome hot flashes described as >28 episodes per week and were not currently using hormone therapy were recruited to use the MenoZen VRTM program on a Meta Quest 3S headset.


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