PETRA: AI-supported, educational therapy support for perimenopause

Perimenopause can be accompanied by a variety of physical and psychological symptoms, such as hot flashes and sweating, but also sleep disturbances and mood swings (Woods & Utian 2018). These symptoms can significantly affect quality of life and, among other things, have a negative impact on work ability. Possible effects include, for example, an overall reduction in work ability, lower job satisfaction, lower work productivity, a reduction in working hours, or even job loss (Faubion et al. 2023; Geukes et al. 2012; Jack et al. 2016; Kagan et al. 2021; Whiteley et al. 2013). Perimenopausal women may also find themselves in a situation of double burden, consisting of paid work and care work, the latter of which can take many forms (childcare, caring for relatives, etc.). Therefore, an innovative software solution is intended to strengthen low-threshold and needs-based access to information about perimenopause and facilitate the management of one's own perimenopausal symptoms in various settings. Users' health literacy will be strengthened and it will be easier for them to classify their own symptoms. The main goal here is for users to learn everyday and practical therapy strategies for coping with their own symptoms. For example, risk factors that can lead to withdrawal from working life or a reduction in working hours should be eliminated. In addition, access to the inclusive app is also being sought for marginalized and particularly vulnerable target groups, such as women with refugee or migration experience, women with low incomes and/or insecure jobs, and queer people (e.g., through multilingualism and a low-threshold chatbot). The app can be used anonymously, with little effort and few barriers, for personalized therapy recommendations and accompanying education. The aim is to break down taboos and stigmatization surrounding the topic. The technical solution could also pave the way or provide impetus for social innovation (see Howaldt/Schwarz 2010: 54-55) in dealing with menopause.

Fraunhofer Institute for Experimential Software Engineering (IESE)

FEMNA Health M.E. GmbH

Junior Professorship for Health and E-Health at Ruhr University Bochum

Berlin Institute of Health, Charité Berlin

Associated partners:

Berlin Marzahn-Hellersdorf District Office

Hesse Ministry of Digitalization and Innovation

Techniker Krankenkasse

Robert Koch Institute

The overarching objectives of the Social Research Center's subproject are to identify gaps in research on perimenopause and to analyze the effects of perimenopause on the lives of perimenopausal women. To date, there has been insufficient data on the effects of perimenopause on various areas of life for affected women. In particular, there is a lack of data on the influence of perimenopause in the context of gainful employment (Schulz 2025). The subproject of the Social Research Center will therefore focus on the context of gainful employment on the one hand and on the contexts of care work, private social environment, and doctor-patient communication on the other, and will develop ways to offer women relief in dealing with their symptoms with the help of an AI-supported and needs-based app.

First, insights into the needs of potential users are gathered, evaluated, and processed with the help of co-creation workshops and problem-centered guided interviews. At the same time, research gaps relating to improving the quality of life of perimenopausal women are identified. The app is developed to meet user needs by creating use cases and personas that reflect user requirements. To this end, the social research center designs and prepares learning content in iterative loops that are tailored to the target group and sensitive to diversity, which will ultimately result in a curriculum. The curriculum will convey knowledge about perimenopause, possible symptoms, and how to deal with them in the form of learning modules. In addition, flexible knowledge modules that users can produce and use via chats, forums, and their own diary entries will be implemented, and further information about counseling centers, publications, and other formats will be made available. After piloting the app, further co-creation workshops and guided individual interviews with users and gynecologists will be used to evaluate the app's actual suitability for use and make any necessary improvements.