New study: majority of menopause sufferers don’t seek treatment
A new Mayo Clinic study finds nearly three-quarters of women ages 45 to 60 surveyed experience menopause symptoms that greatly affect their daily life at home and at work. The data also shows those menopause symptoms remain undertreated despite available help.
More than a third of the respondents said they had moderate to severe menopause symptoms such as sleep issues and weight gain. What’s interesting is that more than 80% of the women surveyed said they did not seek medical treatment for those symptoms.
Menopause is a natural part of aging when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone, which are the hormones that control the menstrual cycle. This can lead to issues such as hot flashes, night sweats, trouble falling or staying asleep, changes in mood or trouble with mental focus, vaginal dryness and incontinence.
So why don’t many women ask for help when dealing with these symptoms?
“Many women don’t seek medical care for menopausal symptoms due to a variety of reasons, including being too busy, a lack of awareness about effective treatments, and concerns about the safety of hormone therapy,” says Dr. Marcia Klein-Patel, chair of AHN Women’s Institute who specializes in menopause treatment and midlife medicine. “Additionally, according to the research, some women reported feeling judged by their health-care providers or embarrassed by their symptoms, which can create barriers to seeking help. This suggests a need for increased awareness, supportive health-care environments, and destigmatization of menopause and midlife care. It’s essential that women understand care is available to them, and they do not have to suffer with their symptoms.”
That leads to the question of whether the medical community needs to do a better job of getting that information out there to women.
“It’s clear that our field needs to do a much better job of disseminating accurate information about available menopause treatments,” says Klein-Patel. “The misconception that effective treatments don’t exist is a significant barrier to care.”
To many women, the idea of menopause treatment focuses on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but that’s not the only option.
“While hormone therapy is a cornerstone, ongoing research is expanding our understanding and options,” Klein-Patel adds. “So the idea that treatments are lacking is outdated and can be harmful – women need to know they don’t have to suffer with their symptoms when there are therapies and management options out there for them.”
While HRT has been the standard for decades, there has been conflicting research and messaging about whether it’s safe, and that has left women frustrated and confused. Klein-Patel says the latest in menopause treatment centers on a more nuanced understanding of Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT).
“While MHT replaces declining estrogen and progesterone, recent research has clarified its safety profile, particularly when initiated within a decade of menopause onset and for women under 60,” she explains. “The removal of the ‘black box’ warning by the FDA reflects this evolving understanding allowing for more informed discussions about who can safely and effectively benefit from MHT for symptom management and long-term health.”
With that being said, she cautions that MHT is still not the right solution for every woman.
“It’s important to understand that there are certain patients who may not be ideal candidates for MHT – it’s important to speak with your OB/GYN for more information on what may be right for you.”
The catchphrase “hormone rebalancing” has caught on in recent years when some people refer to MHT, but it isn’t a precise medical term.
“Ongoing research continually explores how to optimize hormonal health and alleviate menopausal symptoms through various interventions,” Klein-Patel adds. “With rebalancing, the goal is really to manage symptoms and, depending on where the patient is on her menopausal transition, her symptoms should be managed specifically. Sometimes hormone therapy is not yet the right answer.”
She also cautions that “hormone rebalancing” often refers to compounded bioidentical hormones obtained outside of standard medical channels.
“While some women report benefits, these compounded hormones are not FDA-approved, meaning their safety, efficacy, and consistent dosing are not regulated or rigorously tested,” Klein-Patel says. “This raises concerns about reliability and safety, which is why insurance companies typically do not cover them, as they lack the robust evidence required for standard medical practice.”
In addition to hormone therapy, there are other menopause treatments available with ongoing research into new therapies.
“Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) can indeed be helpful for managing hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes in some women,” says Klein-Patel. Other new therapies have also been approved in recent years, including a new non-hormonal pill called Lynkuet (elinzanetant) which was approved to treat moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats. This drug works by focusing on regulating body temperature by blocking brain pathways that control it. Another non-hormonal treatment for hot flashes called Veozah (fezolinetant) also works on how the brain controls body temperature.
One takeaway from the Mayo Clinic study is that it is found women often do not voluntarily talk about menopause or their symptoms with their doctors, and the researchers stress menopause care needs to be destigmatized to encourage women to ask questions and seek treatment. Mayo Clinic researchers say they are working to develop ways of doing this with smartphone apps, digital tools and questionnaires to help patients identify symptoms, learn about treatments and feel more comfortable asking their doctors for help and advice.