Opinion: Menopause myths and medical neglect

Let’s be frank: the majority of women are completely unprepared for menopause. This is a natural, biological transition that half the population experiences, yet it is shrouded in silence, misinformation, and medical neglect. This is not just a personal inconvenience; it is a systemic failure that perpetuates gender inequality and disempowers women during a significant life phase. The statistics are stark, and the lived experiences of women are even more telling.

One of the most glaring deficiencies is in education. The numbers are clear: over 90% of postmenopausal women report never having been educated about menopause in school. Similarly, a staggering 90.2% of perimenopausal women received no formal education on the topic, and only 9.8% had any basic information. The educational void leaves women unaware of the diverse range of symptoms beyond the commonly known hot flashes and irregular periods, often leading to misinterpretations and distress. Instead of discussing with providers, women primarily turn to friends, websites, or social media for information, highlighting a lack of trust in, or access to, healthcare professionals as a primary source of knowledge.

Researchers discovered that a mere 12.3% of women seek information before they experience symptoms, which underscores the reactive approach many women are forced to take. Knowing these statistics, it is unsurprising that 83.6% of women believe that menopause education should begin in schools, revealing a clear gap between need and provision. The question is, if the need is so clear and the affected population so widespread, why has this gap not been addressed?

An answer can be found in societal taboos surrounding the menstruation process and menopause, topics often relegated to silence in families, communities, workplaces, and even healthcare settings. The statistics reflect this discomfort: 41% of women believe that more education would lead to greater support from the men in their lives, and 29% of women report a lack of understanding from their partners regarding the sexual aspects of menopause. Feeling compelled to conceal their experience exacerbates the cycle of ignorance by reinforcing the perception that aging is shameful.

An examination of societal failures around women’s heath would be incomplete without acknowledging that the medical community has its shortcomings. A 2020 American study revealed that only 12 out of 177 medical trainees felt adequately prepared to manage menopause, highlighting a systemic lack of training. This deficiency translates to women often being misinformed and misdiagnosed. They often feel undermined or disrespected when their general physicians are dismissive of their symptoms or prescribe antidepressants instead of exploring appropriate hormone replacement therapy options.

Unsurprisingly, global health implications of this negligence are substantial. The World Health Organization estimates that the world’s population of postmenopausal women or women in the menopausal transition is increasing rapidly with projections from 985 million women worldwide aged 50 and over in 2020 to an estimated 1.65 billion by 2050. In 2021, women aged 50 and older accounted for 26% of all females globally, up from 22% in 2011. As if being systematically undereducated on their own health was not enough, many women also express anxiety about aging, with 36% reporting pressure to “age gracefully.” This societal pressure, compounded with the negative perception of menopause as a period of decline, further contributes to the feeling of being unsupported and unprepared.

Menopause is not a disease, nor is it a decline; it is a natural life transition that demands respect, knowledge, and agency. Yet, for too long, women have been navigating this experience in the dark. It is time we dismantle these outdated structures and empower women with the tools they need to navigate this key phase of life with dignity, understanding, and self-determination. The numbers show a clear need for change: this is not simply a matter of individual well-being, but an intervention for a failure of international public health. 

“Menopause is not a disease, nor is it a decline; it is a natural life transition that demands respect, knowledge, and agency.”