For the first survey, researchers polled 1,500 American adults between the ages of 18 and 88 on their general knowledge of menopause. While more than 75 percent of people knew that menopause meant the permanent end to having periods, many couldn’t correctly identify symptoms of the life stage. Far less than a quarter knew symptoms could include bladder, concentration, and memory issues, while less than a third realized menopause can affect sleep. What’s more, less than 60 percent of participants could identify hot flashes as a symptom, which is arguably the most well-known sign of menopause.
In the second survey, the researchers asked 1,500 women between the ages of 40 and 65 about their experiences with menopause. Only 44 percent said they had discussed menopause with their healthcare provider. (The survey also found that 10 percent of women said they used self-pleasure to manage their menopausal symptoms, but it’s important to point out that this was a survey co-sponsored by a sexual wellness company.)
“Many women in this age group do not see a physician for any reason. If they do, they often do not bring up symptoms since they assume it is a normal part of aging.” —Lauren Streicher, MD, ob/gyn
What’s behind the menopause education gap?
The lack of knowledge about menopause, as well as the conversations that aren’t happening with healthcare providers, seems shocking, but doctors say they’re not surprised. “Most women are not given accurate information by their physicians or other healthcare clinicians,” says Lauren Streicher, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
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“There is not a wealth of knowledge in the health communities on menopause and also society has not embraced the transparency of this transition for women’s health,” says women’s health expert Jessica Shepherd, MD, an ob/gyn in Texas and author of the upcoming book on menopause, Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause.
Many people in perimenopause (the transition to menopause) and menopause (when you’ve gone at least 12 consecutive months without a period) also aren’t talking to a healthcare provider about their symptoms—or seeing a doctor at all, Dr. Streicher says. “Many women in this age group do not see a physician for any reason,” she says. “If they do, they often do not bring up symptoms since they assume it is a normal part of aging and there are no safe or effective solutions. And, of course, clinicians do not bring it up.”
It’s crucial for women to have at least a basic understanding of menopause to be prepared for what’s ahead, and for them to be informed on potential treatment options to help them feel better, Dr. Shepherd says.
Still, interest in menopause seems to be building steam. “The Menopause Society this year had to stop accepting attendees six weeks before the annual meeting” a program where experts presented on the latest menopause research and its clinical applications. “It sold out because so many folks were interested,” says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine and founder of Madame Ovary. “Women and providers are beginning to understand what menopause is and learning how to do something about it.”
Self-advocacy is key
Of course, menopause education isn’t taught in school and it’s completely understandable to get to this stage of life without understanding the ins and outs of it. If you’re fuzzy on the details of menopause, as well as the treatment options available to you, Dr. Streicher recommends seeking out the help of a menopause expert or ob/gyn who is well-versed on the latest research around effective menopausal treatments. Many physicians aren’t up to date on the latest information on treatments, making it especially crucial to choose wisely, she says.
A good place to start: Search The Menopause Society’s database for a certified menopause practitioner.
There are also a growing number of podcasts, websites, and books written by doctors that are dedicated to informing people about the details of menopause. “One hundred percent of women will go through menopause, and [there’s] a critical need for targeted resources that will help educate them,” Dr. Shepherd says. “Women deserve all of the options that will give them the ability to make better decisions.”
Dr. Minkin agrees: “No one should be suffering unduly,” she says.
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