Summary

The website content discusses the lack of awareness, research, and education surrounding menopause, emphasizing the need for better support and healthcare for middle-aged women experiencing hormonal changes.

Abstract

The article titled "Menopause Matters: Bridging the Gap in Women’s Health" on the undefined website addresses the critical issue of menopause being overlooked in women's health research and education. It highlights that many women in perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal stages feel unprepared and uninformed due to a general lack of societal and medical understanding of the physical and emotional changes they face. The author, Lisa, a Registered Clinical Counsellor, points out that most research has focused on women of childbearing age, leaving a significant gap for the 44–55 year old age bracket. This lack of research leads to inadequate training for physicians, even those specializing in women's health, resulting in misdiagnoses and suboptimal care. The article calls for a meaningful shift in how research is conducted, how doctors are trained, and the seriousness with which practitioners approach women's health issues. It also notes a growing trend of empowerment among women who are becoming more vocal about their health needs, challenging the status quo, and advocating for better healthcare and support during menopause.

Opinions

The author believes that women in menopause transition are often mislabeled as 'overweight', 'depressed', or 'lazy' by doctors due to a lack of understanding and training in menopause care.
There is a strong opinion that the current state of menopause research is insufficient, with a call for more relevant and inclusive studies.
The article suggests that the medical field as a whole needs to step up and improve the care provided to menopausal women.
It is expressed that menopause is a part of life that should not be a season of fear or confusion, and there is an optimistic view that society is moving towards empowering women during 'the change'.
The author emphasizes the importance of validating women's experiences, offering resources for managing menopausal symptoms, and encouraging assertive communication with healthcare providers.
There is a sentiment that menopause is not just a women's issue but a community health issue, advocating for education and awareness among men as well.
The author shares a personal note, indicating a commitment to understanding and advocating for menopausal health, not just professionally but also on a personal level.

Hormones Health and Happiness

Menopause Matters: Bridging the Gap in Women’s Health

Women deserve better

If we are lucky enough to reach elder status, ovary owners will go through the change. Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash

A good chunk of my caseload at the moment is middle-aged women. Each of them is in various stages of hormonal maturation. By ‘hormonal maturation,’ I mean perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal.

What do they have in common? Most of them think they are losing it, going crazy, broken, and ashamed.

Why?

A big reason is:

No one told them what it would be like for them in the season they are in

Why:

Because no one really knows

Ok, ok this is a pretty definitive statement, I get that. Maybe they did get some guidance… like old Aunt Edna’s hot flash trick with the cooling cabbage leaves in the bra.

But, even if we were lucky enough to glean info from our sister elders, no two women are the same. There is a general lack of awareness and preparedness for the physical and emotional changes accompanying this life stage.

And here’s the deal

There are some real issues in menopause research and treatment. Most research for the last 30 years has been primarily focused on women of childbearing age 15–40ish.

But the 44–55 year old bracket?

Basically crickets, no wonder women feel invisible, at times, entering this season of life.

Meta-studies are sorely lacking… because there’s not enough research yet for compelling meta-studies. And the research that has been done is not relevant across the masses (which, to be fair, most research isn’t).

If research is not being done, doctors are not getting the training because training is based on research. But for research to happen in the first place, it needs to be funded, and doctors don’t fund research. Industry and foundations do.

Many physicians, even those specializing in women’s health, lack specific education on how to treat menopause. This lack of training can contribute to misdiagnoses and inadequate care for women going through menopause.

For example, there are instances of misdiagnoses, such as women being incorrectly diagnosed with conditions like ADHD because symptoms like brain fog and attention difficulties are not immediately associated with menopause. This lack of awareness can lead to frustration and further challenges in obtaining appropriate mental health support during menopause.

There needs to be a meaningful shift that requires addressing core issues such as how research is conducted, how doctors are trained, and the seriousness with which practitioners approach women’s health issues. This uncertainty adds to the complexity of treatment decisions for menopausal symptoms.

It breaks my heart to see these women be dismissed by their doctors as being ‘overweight’, ‘depressed’, ‘out of shape’, or ‘lazy’ (Yes, a doctor actually told his patient that she was lazy).

It’s not just the training of docs, it’s also our education system. Many post-menopausal women had not learned about menopause in school, and about half of them felt uninformed about this life stage. This lack of education contributes to a widespread lack of knowledge about what to expect during menopause.

Here’s what many of us know or come to know quickly:

that menstruating individuals approaching menopause typically experience symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and alterations in sexual function that the transition to menopause usually starts between the ages of 45 and 55.

But not everyone knows the stages. For example, peri-menopause is the phase leading up to menopause, menopause is the point when menstruation stops, and post-menopause is the time following menopause.

However, tiny changes are happening. Women are becoming more empowered and vocal about their health needs, challenging the notion that suffering during menopause is an inevitable part of being a woman. This shift in attitude may lead to increased advocacy for better healthcare and support during the menopausal transition.

And there may be another side to change, as there’s a growing trend of recognizing and addressing menopause in both the medical and business realms. People and agencies see that women need help, and in a capitalistic society, there are dollar signs on the horizon.

I want to remain optimistic that we are shifting to empowering women in ‘the change.’ It is a part of life and needn’t be a season fraught with fear or confusion.

As a clinician, I can only do so much with the information I have, and I need to maintain working within my scope of practice. The medical field needs to step up and do better.

What can I do as a therapist?

Validate that they are not crazy. Offer resources to regulate a nervous system constantly dysregulated by fluctuating hormones. Get curious about what options are available for journeying through this season. Practice scripting and assertive communication skills while strengthening self-confidence to engage with and assert themselves with their healthcare providers. And advocate, advocate, advocate.

I haven’t hit the change yet. But I do know my 40-something-year-old body operates differently than my 20-year-old body. I’ve shared my fears with my partner. He doesn’t get it. But how could he? He never received the education either. This both infuriates and saddens me because men need this education, too; this season is not just about women; it’s about a healthy community as a whole.

Love, Lisa

Lisa is a Registered Clinical Counsellor currently developing a course on Identity- “Who Am I”, sifting through your own life to map out your authenticity.

She is also a trained Equine Facilitated Wellness practitioner and is the co-founder of Humanity Academy as well as a content creator, educator, artist, poet, mother, and lover of horses. Sometimes she still gets on colts, just for the heck of it.

This piece of writing is intended for general knowledge and creative exploration. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, intervention or treatment. Please consult with your mental health professional or other qualified healthcare provider if you require care.