Menopause medicalization may be “bothersome and unnecessary,” researchers note

20 Jun 2022 --- According to an analysis led by the UK-based King’s College London and US and Australian universities, the “medicalization” of menopause reinforces unfavorable perceptions about reproductive aging.

The findings suggest that women may be more equipped to navigate menopause if gender-based agism is challenged, stigma is reduced and balanced information is provided.

The researchers also highlight that while menopausal hormone therapy may help some women with difficult menopausal symptoms, effective alternative treatments are available.

There is no universal menopause experience as it is influenced by various social, cultural and biological variables, they stress.

“We argue that medicalization of menopause risks collapsing the wide range of experiences at the average age associated with this natural process into a narrowly defined disease requiring treatment,” the researchers say.

“Medicalization tends to emphasize the negative aspects of menopause and while effective treatments are important for those with troublesome symptoms, medicalization may increase women’s anxiety and apprehension about this natural life stage.”

Shifting the menopause message
The researchers argue that medicalizing menopause may pose risks such as reducing the range of experiences associated with this natural process to making menopause a narrowly defined disease that requires treatment.

While effective therapies are vital for those with bothersome symptoms, medicalization may raise women’s anxiety about this natural life stage.While effective therapies are vital for those with bothersome symptoms, medicalization may raise women’s anxiety about this natural life stage.

“Medicalization and its narrow focus on symptoms may fuel women’s negative expectations of menopause and influence what physical and emotional experiences they attribute to it,” the researchers add.

“Changing the narrative by normalizing menopause and emphasizing positive or neutral aspects such as freedom from menstruation, pregnancy and contraception, together with information about managing troublesome symptoms, might empower women to manage menopause with greater confidence.”

Analysis of women’s menopause experiences
During the data analysis, the researchers noted that “while most women experience physical changes as they approach menopause, most regard this as a natural occurrence that can be managed without medical assistance.”

The analysis considered the findings of a US longitudinal survey of 2,565 midlife women. The survey indicated that 42% of women were relieved to be going through menopause while 35% felt neutral about the event.

A separate Australian cross-sectional survey of 776 midlife women indicated that 90% were unconcerned with the physical and psychological changes associated with the menopause transition.

“In a survey of almost 1,000 US women approaching menopause who consulted clinicians, patient dissatisfaction was associated with feeling dismissed; being told that their symptoms were not due to perimenopause; receiving inaccurate information and not receiving helpful advice,” the researchers note.

An Australian survey revealed 90% of women were unconcerned with the physical and psychological changes associated with menopause.According to population-based surveys conducted in the US and Ireland, 65% to 77% of women feel unprepared for menopause and lack crucial knowledge about what to anticipate and how to improve their health.

In line with this, NutritionInsight previously reported on Equelle’s – a non-hormonal menopause supplements provider – survey that spotlighted the “significant” lack of communication between women and their health care providers about menopause.

The Equelle survey further revealed that one in three women and health care providers alike do not have the knowledge of available non-prescription options to relieve menopause symptoms. 

Hormone-free solutions
In the space of hormone-free menopause solutions, wellness brand Hum Nutrition unveiled Fan Club, an estrogen-free solution for managing perimenopause and menopause symptoms. The launch also sought to normalize the conversation on menopause and “help women feel informed and supported.”

Women’s wellness brand O Positiv released Meno, a supplement to support the effects of menopause. The product combats common symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings.

Among other moves, DSM’s Hologram Sciences unveiled its Phenology brand to provide solutions for the “critically underserved” menopause space.

Meanwhile, in research developments, personalized nutrition company Zoe revealed that healthy diets prioritizing gut health can help offset menopause-linked changes to metabolism.

By Nicole Kerr