Education and community platform ThisIsMenopause has released a survey highlighting gaps in perimenopause awareness and access to care, as well as opportunities for more standardized education.
Among 1,000 women surveyed, most respondents were unaware when they entered perimenopause – 82% initially attributed symptoms to other factors like stress, burnout, or anxiety. Only 14% recognized perimenopause right away, while 33% experienced symptoms for more than six months before understanding they were in perimenopause.
Many women also reported barriers when seeking advice. Seventy-six percent of respondents said they had to initiate the conversation with their healthcare provider, while 72% experienced pushback from providers, friends, or family. Many were told they were too young, didn’t have severe enough symptoms, or were experiencing a natural part of aging.
Without standardized education or care, 42% of women said being prepared with notes, discussion guides, or symptom trackers would be beneficial when talking to a provider. To navigate the condition and seek support, 48% said talking to other women in perimenopause was helpful.
“Perimenopause is one of the only major health transitions where women are expected to essentially self-diagnose in real time,” said ThisIsMenopause medical advisory committee member Dr. Andrea Matsumura. “Women have so little clear information in some ways, and so much conflicting information in others, coming at them all at once. As clinicians, we recognize that having a community and staying current on the latest guidance both play a role in a successful doctor visit, and ultimately, in getting to the right treatment.”
