Why Menopause Care Is Failing Women—And How to Fix It

1 Big Thing: Millions of women are navigating menopause without adequate medical support, as many healthcare providers lack sufficient training in this essential life stage. ​‍

Why it matters: This educational gap leaves countless women without proper care, leading to untreated symptoms and misinformation.

Between the lines: Despite menopause being a universal experience, only about 7% of OB-GYN residents feel prepared to manage it, underscoring a critical need for enhanced medical education.

Go Deeper

Understanding Menopause

Menopause marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycles, typically occurring between ages 45 and 55. Symptoms vary but often include hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and sleep disturbances. Perimenopause, the transition phase, can begin 6-10 years prior, bringing its own set of challenges.

The Education Gap

A 2019 survey revealed that a mere 7% of OB-GYN residents felt adequately prepared to manage menopause. This deficiency stems from limited curriculum focus on menopause in medical schools, leaving many physicians ill-equipped to address menopausal health concerns.

Consequences for Women's Health

The lack of physician education leads to:​

• Delayed or Inadequate Treatment: Women may endure unmanaged symptoms due to physicians' uncertainty about prescribing hormone therapy or other treatments.
• Misinformation: Patients might receive outdated or incorrect advice, influencing their treatment decisions negatively.​
• Limited Access to Specialists: Specialized menopause clinics often have long waiting lists, making timely care inaccessible.

Efforts to Bridge the Gap

Recognizing this shortfall, institutions like Harvard Medical School and Mayo Clinic offer specialized courses to educate healthcare providers on menopause management:​

• Harvard's Women's Health and Menopause Course: A comprehensive program covering hormonal changes, treatment options, and lifestyle medicine.
• Mayo Clinic's Online Menopause Course: An online offering discussing various health issues unique to women, including menopause.

Empowering Women

Women are encouraged to seek information and advocate for their health:​

• Educate Themselves: Utilize reputable resources to understand menopause and available treatments.​
• Consult Knowledgeable Providers: Seek out healthcare professionals trained in menopause management.​
• Engage in Communities: Join support groups to share experiences and gain support.​

Looking Ahead

To improve menopause care, it's important to:​

• Enhance Medical Training: Integrate comprehensive menopause education into medical curricula.
• Promote Continuing Education: Encourage practicing physicians to pursue specialized training in menopause management.
• Raise Public Awareness: Foster open conversations to normalize menopause and reduce stigma.

Addressing the educational gap among physicians is vital to ensure women receive the care and support they deserve during menopause.

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Read and learn more:

1. Axios – "Doctors lack menopause training, leaving women without proper care." March 3, 2025.
   https://www.axios.com/2025/03/03/menopause-doctors-education-harvard-mayo
2. Harvard Medical School – "Women's Health and Menopause Course."
   https://cmecatalog.hms.harvard.edu/course/womens-health-and-menopause
3. Mayo Clinic – "Menopause Online Course."
   https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/menopause-online-course
4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) – "Menopause management and education for OB-GYNs."
   https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/menopause
5. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) – "Menopause symptoms, treatment options, and professional education resources."
   https://www.menopause.org/
6. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) – "Physician preparedness in managing menopause: A 2019 survey of OB-GYN residents."
   https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2753429
7. The Lancet – "The impact of untreated menopause symptoms on women's long-term health outcomes."
   https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)31724-7/fulltext
8. New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) – "Efficacy and safety of hormone therapy in menopause treatment: An updated review."
   https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1903663
9. National Institutes of Health (NIH) – "Menopause: Symptoms, health risks, and current treatment guidelines."
   https://www.nih.gov/health-information/menopause
10. World Health Organization (WHO) – "Global menopause health strategies and the need for increased physician education."
    https://www.who.int/health-topics/menopause

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