Menopause, a natural transition occurring typically between the ages of 46 and 52, is often accompanied by a range of physical and psychological symptoms, including hot flushes, brain fog, mood swings, and a loss of libido. These symptoms impact not only the well-being of women but also take a significant toll on the economy, costing millions in lost productivity annually.
However, despite its widespread impact, many medical professionals lack adequate education on menopause, leaving them ill-prepared to guide women through this transitional phase, which is pivotal in women’s lives.
Even though 51% of the population will experience menopause, medical schools often overlook this crucial aspect of women’s health. A 2021 report highlighted that, in the UK, only 59% of medical schools included mandatory menopause education in their curriculum. Instead, medical students were expected to gain menopause education during their GP training placements. This lack of structured education has resulted in many doctors graduating without the necessary expertise to recognize and effectively treat menopause symptoms.
Even medical textbooks, the primary source of knowledge for medical practitioners, often provide minimal information on menopause. One study found that 58% of analyzed medical textbooks globally had no reference to menopause, and 12% dedicated less than a paragraph to the topic. When mentioned, these textbooks often portrayed menopause as a “failure” or the end of “normal” ovulatory function, perpetuating the false notion that the post-menopausal body is somehow “broken” or “abnormal.”
The shortage of menopause specialists means that some women suffer for years from menopause-related symptoms that are either misdiagnosed or inadequately treated. This situation has also burdened the few clinics that offer menopause services. In England, nearly 7,000 women were on waiting lists for menopause treatment, waiting over seven months on average for referral to a specialist clinic. Some NHS trusts do not offer any specialist menopause support, forcing women to travel long distances or pay for private healthcare.
To fill the educational gap, medical practitioners often turn to external courses, like those offered by the British Menopause Society. However, these courses are expensive in both time and money, which can be discouraging for already overburdened and underpaid healthcare workers.
Women themselves face obstacles in discussing menopause with their doctors, as it was not included in the school sexual health or science curriculums until 2019. Consequently, women often know very little about menopause until they start experiencing it themselves.
Recognizing the need for improved menopause education, menopause was added to the UK’s national sex education curriculum in 2019. NHS England established the Menopause Pathway Improvement Programme to enhance clinical medical care, reduce disparities in access to treatment, and develop comprehensive education and training on menopause for healthcare professionals.
Starting in 2024, key topics related to women’s health, including menopause, will be included in mandatory assessments for UK medical students. However, there is still room for improvement. Menopause is currently part of GPs’ general training, but only after medical school. Many GPs report feeling inadequately trained to advise women with menopause symptoms, with some stating they were never taught the subject at all.
Despite this, the Royal College of General Practitioners has opposed recommendations for mandatory menopause training, placing the responsibility on individual GPs to ensure their clinical knowledge of menopause remains up to date.
In recent years, increased media coverage and campaigns by companies, charities, and public figures have raised awareness about menopause. This has encouraged women to seek help from their GPs, leading to overwhelmed but still under-resourced clinics.
The positive aspect of this trend is that women are feeling empowered to seek help for their menopause symptoms. As another sign of progress, University College London has announced a new National Menopause Education and Support Programme, providing women with a multi-week course on menopause and peer support throughout the transition.
The next crucial step is to equip medical professionals with the knowledge and resources they need to effectively support women. By doing so, we can ensure that women receive the care they need and deserve during this significant life transition, ultimately improving overall well-being in later life.
