Pharmacy Daily | Menopause care needs a societal shift

AHEAD of International Women's Day tomorrow, new research is calling for a different approach to menopause that better prepares and supports women during midlife.

In a new series published in medical journal The Lancet, a group of professors are advising that female patients are offered detailed information on symptoms and treatments and given empathetic clinical care and workplace support.

Series co-author, Prof Martha Hickey from the University of Melbourne and Royal Women's Hospital, said "the misconception of menopause as always being a medical issue which consistently heralds a decline in physical and mental health, should be challenged across the whole of society".

"Many women live rewarding lives during and after menopause, contributing to work, family life and the wider society."

Hickey added that changing the narrative to view menopause as "part of healthy ageing may better empower women to navigate this life stage and reduce fear and trepidation among those who have yet to experience it".

She continues, "the menopause experience differs for every person.

"Our series calls for an individualised approach where women are empowered with accurate, consistent and impartial information to make informed decisions which are right for them over the menopause transition.

"This may include taking menopause hormone therapy (aka HRT) for symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats, which can range from mild to extremely debilitating, after a discussion with their doctor about the risks and benefits," explained Hickey.

"While some women may also choose psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy to reduce the psychological impact of hot flushes and night sweats and improve sleep."

The series calls for healthcare professionals to support their patients by validating their experiences and providing balanced and consistent information about symptoms and treatment options if required, encouraging women to discuss their individual preferences to reach shared decisions.

In addition to clinicians, researchers and workplaces, the authors highlight the need for a substantial societal shift in the views of midlife and older women, with a greater appreciation of their considerable contribution to society, their skills in the paid and unpaid workforce and how they often care for families across several generations.

The authors also call for more research into aspects of menopause that are actually a priority for women.

For example, a global Menopause Priority Setting Partnership is underway across more than 40 countries to develop a new, patient-focused research agenda.

According to the authors this would address the urgent need for greater awareness of mechanisms, new treatments and additional support for people who experience early menopause, develop the condition after cancer treatment and/or those at a higher risk of depression over the menopause transition. JG