Why is menopause still so misunderstood?

There are 34 recognized menopause symptoms, but most women only seek treatment for a few.

Growing older is a fact of life. And while age often comes with certain freedoms, it also poses new challenges for women. Take menopause — many of us don’t realize there are actually 34 recognized menopause symptoms. We all talk about hot flashes and night sweats, but other changes, like UTIs, loss of intimacy, and more, remain under-discussed. Menopause is already a lot to manage, and not talking about it can leave us feeling even more unsure of how to seek help.

Menopause has only recently become a bigger topic of open discussion, and many women might not feel prepared for it — which can stop them from discussing treatment.

It’s normal to feel uncomfortable discussing menopause symptoms, for plenty of reasons. But no matter what’s stopping you from initiating a conversation, you’re not alone. The more open you are about your symptoms, however, the more likely your healthcare provider can help you find the best treatment options.

Consider talking with your healthcare provider during your visit if you’re experiencing menopause symptoms.

Did you know? Women often choose to “tough out” the many symptoms of menopause. While toughing it out may appear to be the best approach at the time, the short and long terms of health outcomes can be long lasting and greatly impact your quality of life.

A recent survey of over 2,000 women¹ in various stages of their menopause journey shows we still need to talk more about menopause to better understand the care that we need:

92% of women said they wanted more education around perimenopause and menopause.

71% of women reported they specifically wanted to know how to handle perimenopause symptoms.

69% of women reported wanting to know the signs and symptoms of menopause to look out for.

¹ Information was taken from the Bonafide Health 2022 State of Menopause Consumer Survey