{
  "id": 15738403,
  "title": "New AI-enhanced virtual reality program shows promise in helping manage menopause symptoms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/new-ai-enhanced-virtual-reality-program-shows-promise-in-helping",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-20T11:20:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-ai-virtual-reality-menopause-symptoms.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Menopause Society is set to present findings from a groundbreaking study at their 2026 Annual Meeting in San Diego, which suggests that AI-enhanced virtual reality could revolutionize the way menopause symptoms are managed. Researchers have developed an AI-VR program called MenoZen VRTM that personalizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoeducation for women experiencing bothersome menopause symptoms.\n\nMenopause brings about a range of symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, depression, and sexual dysfunction that can significantly impact a woman's quality of life. Despite hormone therapy being the gold standard treatment, its use remains low, with only 1.7% of U.S. women utilizing it in 2023. This has spurred the development of nonpharmacologic treatment options like CBT.\n\nThe main hurdle to accessing these treatments has been the lack of conveniently located providers. However, advances in virtual reality and artificial intelligence could help bridge this gap. The MenoZen VRTM program utilizes an AI-VR avatar named Maia to guide participants through modules incorporating CBT, talk therapy, mindfulness, and paced breathing exercises.\n\nIn a small, multicenter study, researchers recruited women aged 45 to 60 who experienced frequent hot flashes (28 episodes per week) and were not currently using hormone therapy. Participants used the MenoZen VRTM program on a Meta Quest 3S headset, leading to promising results regarding early feasibility and acceptability of this AI-VR intervention for managing menopause symptoms.\n\nDr. Karisma Suchak, the lead author from the Cedars-Sinai Center for Virtual Medicine and Health System Transformation, highlights the potential of AI-enhanced virtual reality in delivering evidence-based therapies to reduce symptom burden and improve overall quality of life. However, she emphasizes that larger studies are needed to determine the clinical effectiveness of this innovative technology.\n\nDr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society and a study author, points out that many women face barriers to accessing nonpharmacologic treatments due to availability, cost, and convenience issues. This study suggests that AI-enhanced virtual reality may offer a promising solution to expand access to cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based interventions during the menopause transition.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}