The annual follow-up (FU) visit is scheduled to fall within 45 days before or after the anniversary of the baseline index date. If the annual follow-up is not initiated within that targeted window, the window for initiation is extended for an additional 135 days. If the annual follow-up is not initiated within the extended window, the participant is contacted the following year for the next annual visit, based on her original anniversary date. Once data collection for an annual follow-up has begun, all data collection for that visit must be completed within 91 days or 60 days if initiation occurs within the last 30 days of the extended window.

The annual follow-up visits are designed to track the relationships between various aspects of women's health and well-being with menopause and aging (and their health and psychosocial consequences) that may change over time. Information obtained from the monthly menstrual calendars and the daily diary of the Daily Hormone Study to provide additional information on bleeding patterns, hormones, and symptoms.

The annual follow-up visit currently includes the following core components: physical measures (blood pressure, pulse, measurement of height, weight, hip and waist), bone density scan, fasting morning blood draw during days 2-5 of the menstrual cycle for menstruating women; interview-administered questionnaire; self-administered questionnaires. These instruments are completed by all women at all sites. The core components of the follow-up visit take approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours to complete, and participants are paid for their participation.

In Pittsburgh, we also conduct studies on: Mood and Emotional Well Being, the Heart, and Sleep.

Follow the links below for a description of each years components.
 

• Visit Year 5
• Visit Year 6