Abstract

Background: Menopause, or the permanent cessation of the menstrual cycle, was a significant physiological transition in a woman's life. It was frequently associated with symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep difficulties, sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety, memory loss, fatigue, headache, joint pain, weight gain, stress urine incontinence, and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Traditional therapies mainly involved hormonal and pharmaceutical procedures, but other non-pharmaceutical ways were progressively investigated. Objective: This review explores the potential of immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) as an innovative, non-drug-based solution for managing menopause-related challenges. Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies that explored the use of immersive, semi-immersive, and non-immersive VR in alleviating menopausal symptoms. A total of 15 studies were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of IVR in addressing symptoms, including osteoporosis, cognitive problems, stress urinary incontinence, hot flashes, anxiety, pelvic floor dysfunction, and overall well-being. Results: The findings indicated that immersive VR offered unique benefits such as enhanced engagement, real-time feedback, and personalized interventions. Evidence suggested significant improvements in balance, cognitive function, muscle strength, and psychological health. IVR interventions also demonstrated potential in managing symptoms such as stress urinary incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction, anxiety, and hot flashes, contributing to improved overall well-being. Conclusion: IVR offers a promising, non-pharmaceutical solution to improve menopausal women’s quality of life by effectively addressing physical and emotional symptoms.

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