People experiencing the symptoms of menopause are being sought for a unique single patient trial (SPT) of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Chief investigator Dr Vivienne O'Connor said this method was an effective way of determining whether the therapy actually benefited the particular symptoms for an individual patient.
"It enables patients to compare their symptoms when taking either HRT or placebo," said Dr O'Connor, from The University of Queensland's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
"Women with a number of different symptoms have no way to assess the symptoms that can be helped with HRT and those that will not.
"It is often difficult for women to assess the influence that other factors in their lives may have on their symptoms.
"Also, people sometimes feel better when they are taking medication, even when it has no effect on their condition."
The HRT single patient trial lasts for six months, during which time patients use either active patches or tablets, or placebo patches or tablets.
Neither patient nor their doctor knows which type of medication is being taken, although if there is a problem it will be possible for the doctor to find out.
Throughout the program, patients will keep a record of menopausal symptoms and lifestyle issues in a special diary.
At the end of the six months, the diaries will be analysed and the information sent to the doctor and the woman.
This will aid the communication and decision-making discussion about HRT.
The woman and her doctor will be able to determine whether or not HRT is beneficial to her particular problems.
Further information: Dr Vivienne O'Connor, telephone 07 3365 5549.
