Impact of clinician and patient attitudes on clinical decision making for the symptomatic menopausal woman with or without comorbidity

Abstract

Culture, individual health beliefs and distressing symptoms frequently determine women's perceptions of their menopausal transitions. Women's perceptions of mental health problems and the acceptability of different interventions greatly affect if and what a woman is willing to try as a treatment option and whether or not she will accept the possibility that her menopausal symptoms represent a comorbidity with a diagnosis, such as depression or anxiety. These perceptions have a significant impact on women's choices with regard to health practices, as well as on whether or not they will seek out medical care for their distressing symptom(s). Working with a woman's beliefs, sharing decision making, and empowering her through health education are all critical aspects of the treatment of the patient with comorbid perimenopausal symptoms, regardless of their etiology.

Menopausal Symptoms and Perimenopausal Healthcare-Seeking Behavior in Women Aged 40–60 Years: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Survey in Shanghai, China

“…The women with more than four symptoms were more likely to visit hospitals, compared to those women suffering from three or less symptoms. This result was similar to a review, in which women would not seek treatment unless they experienced multiple or severe symptoms [32]. It was also consistent with one of our other hospital-based studies, which showed women without symptoms or with only two or fewer menopausal symptoms were less likely to visit hospitals promptly compared to those experiencing five or more symptoms [33].…”

Prevalence of menopausal symptoms and attitudes towards menopausal hormone therapy in women aged 40–60 years: a cross-sectional study

“…Women who lack knowledge of menopause are more likely to have negative attitudes towards it. Research suggests that the severity of menopausal symptoms affects women’s attitudes towards menopause, with fewer symptoms being associated with more positive attitudes towards menopause [ 36 ]. A survey of perimenopausal women conducted in the UK showed that more than 60% of women had no understanding of menopause at all [ 37 ], whereas Italian studies indicated that more than half of women had never received menopause-related health education [ 38 ].…”