An empowerment model for managing menopause

Addressing sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and gendered disparities for equity in menopause care

“…Menopause is usually a typical reproductive stage for individuals assigned female at birth (henceforth referred to as “women”), generally occurring around age 51 years. 1 However, it often happens earlier in women from low- and middle-income countries, which may have implications for the risk of chronic disease such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. 1 Menopause may be spontaneous or iatrogenic due to bilateral oophorectomy or cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation.…”

“… 1 However, it often happens earlier in women from low- and middle-income countries, which may have implications for the risk of chronic disease such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. 1 Menopause may be spontaneous or iatrogenic due to bilateral oophorectomy or cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation. While many women navigate menopause without seeking medical treatment, around 60%–80% experience vasomotor symptoms that can last for more than 7 years 2 and impact their quality of life.…”

“…While many women navigate menopause without seeking medical treatment, around 60%–80% experience vasomotor symptoms that can last for more than 7 years 2 and impact their quality of life. 1 Effective treatments are available for vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes and night sweats) and vaginal dryness. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) reduces vasomotor symptoms by around 85%, and some nonhormonal treatments may also be effective but less so than MHT.…”

“…Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) reduces vasomotor symptoms by around 85%, and some nonhormonal treatments may also be effective but less so than MHT. 1 Psychological therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnosis, have a small to moderate effect, with additional benefits for sleep, mood, fatigue, and quality of life. 1 However, these treatments are not equally accessed across socioeconomic groups and race.…”

Direct-to-consumer menopause care: what do we know about its subscribers?

“…Hopefully, more information will be forthcoming that adds to the makeup of this interesting clinical cohort (now advertised as 160,000 members)—one that is so relevant to a better understanding of motivations, unmet clinical needs, and satisfaction given the growing use of hybrid care in this digital world of menopause. In Faubion's analysis of FemTech menopause management, 7 she predicted that “expansion of digital health services will very likely break down some existing barriers to care for underserved women and may narrow the gap in health care disparities, not only in terms of access but also hopefully in quality and affordability.” At the same time, in a recent call by experts to demedicalize menopause and reframe it as a normal life process, the authors promoted the use of impartial noncommercial online tools and resources for evidence-based education and self-managed treatment options as a strategy for empowerment 19 . How these pointed challenges will be handled by the direct-to-consumer health industry is anyone's guess, but it will be interesting to watch.…”