More than half of the world’s population consists of women, and every single one of them will experience hormonal changes at some point in their lives, whether during puberty, perimenopause, menopause, or post menopause. Menopause is not just about hot flashes and mood swings; it is a significant transition that affects every aspect of a woman’s health, from brain function to bone density and heart health.
Despite this universal reality, menopause remains one of the most overlooked and misunderstood areas of healthcare. Across the globe, countless women are struggling with symptoms that affect their physical, emotional, and mental well-being, while doctors often lack the necessary training to provide adequate support. This alarming gap in medical education leaves millions of women without the guidance they desperately need.
Despite the rising awareness of women’s health issues, the reality is stark—medical schools provide little to no formal education on menopause. In the U.S., for example, more than 75 million women are currently in menopause, with another 6,000 entering this phase every
single day. Shockingly, fewer than 3,000 certified menopause specialists are available to serve this growing population.
How did we get here? A landmark study by Johns Hopkins University revealed that only 20% of OB-GYN residency programs in the U.S. include menopause training in their curriculum (Johns Hopkins University, 2018). The consequences of this educational void are profound: nearly two-thirds of medical residents reported feeling unprepared to manage the complex and often life-altering symptoms of menopause. Many admitted to lacking knowledge about the link between menopause and major health risks such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative conditions (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Even more concerning, a third of these physicians indicated they would not prescribe hormone therapy to symptomatic patients, despite no medical contraindications (North American Menopause Society, 2020).
The situation in Europe is not much different. Studies have shown that menopause education in European medical schools is sporadic and inconsistent, with significant variations across countries. A survey conducted in the UK revealed that only 26% of medical schools included
menopause education in their curricula (British Menopause Society, 2021), and even in those that did, the focus was often limited to gynecological aspects, neglecting the broader implications on cardiovascular, cognitive, and mental health. In France and Germany. menopause education is often integrated into broader endocrinology modules, leaving many healthcare professionals underprepared to address the specific needs of menopausal women (European Society of Endocrinology, 2022). Southern and Eastern European countries face
even greater challenges, with minimal formal training and a heavy reliance on outdated treatment methods (World Health Organization, 2021). This lack of training leaves many women navigating their menopausal journey alone, often misdiagnosed or dismissed by healthcare providers unfamiliar with the broader impact of hormonal changes. A 2019 Mayo Clinic report found that 20.3% of medical residents had
never received a formal lecture on menopause, while 58% had only one lecture during their entire training (Mayo Clinic, 2019). A mere 6.8% felt adequately prepared to treat menopausal patients.
The consequences of inadequate care extend far beyond discomfort. Menopause has profound implications on a woman’s long-term health. Studies have shown that women who experience early or surgical menopause without hormone therapy face an 85% higher risk of stroke and nearly double the risk of cardiovascular disease (Nurses’ Health Study, 2020). Despite the data, discussions about hormone therapy are often dismissed without proper shared decision-making, leaving women vulnerable to serious health conditions that could have been managed with early intervention. Healthcare professionals should join efforts and work on reshaping our reality and future, ensuring women hormonal health is given the attention it deserves. It might be through updating on latest research and treatment options, or through encourage medical organizations to collaborate with specialists and advocacy groups to develop standardized guidelines for woman hormonal care in menopause. Online consultations with trained hormonal health practitioners offering personalized treatment plans and empowering women with knowledge.
Join the movement to redefine menopause care and make a lasting impact on women’s health.
References:
1. Johns Hopkins University. (2018). Study on Menopause Education in Medical Schools.
2. Mayo Clinic. (2019). The State of Menopause Training Among Medical Residents.
3. North American Menopause Society. (2020). Guidelines for Menopause Management.
4. British Menopause Society. (2021). Survey on Menopause Education in the UK.
5. European Society of Endocrinology. (2022). Menopause Education in European Medical Institutions.
6. World Health Organization. (2021). Global Report on Women’s Health and Menopause.
7. Nurses’ Health Study. (2020). The Impact of Early Menopause on Cardiovascular Health.