Menopause knowledge and education in women under 40: Results from an online survey

Abstract

Background: All women experience the menopause, yet education around the topic is limited. Studies conducted in women aged over 40 show that women have limited knowledge about the menopause. Objectives: This study aims to understand what women under 40 know about the menopause, how they have acquired this knowledge and where they think menopause education should be taught. This data will help to determine how to effectively deliver menopause education. Design: A survey was designed that asked women under 40 what they know of, and their attitudes to, the menopause, using Qualtrics XM software. Methods: The survey was advertised for 5 weeks on social media. Six questions related to menopause education were analysed. Responses between age groups under 20, 21–30 and over 30 were compared using a chi-square test. A thematic-style analysis was also conducted on a free-text question where answers referred to education. Results: A total of 738 women’s responses were included in the analysis; over 80% had no knowledge or just some knowledge of the menopause. Women over 30 used official websites (p = 0.017) and scientific literature (p = 0.047) significantly more than other age groups to learn about the menopause, while women under 20 were more likely to learn from family members (p = 0.002). These women felt education should start in schools. Conclusion: Many women under 40 have limited education of the menopause. Women under 20 are more passive in their approach to learning about the menopause compared with those over 30, who are more proactive. Menopause education strategies must start at school and extend beyond schools adopting a multifaceted approach; it is recommended that the workplace, social media and public health campaigns are used to deliver menopause education moving forward.

An online survey of postmenopausal women to determine their attitudes and knowledge of the menopause

“…We are optimistic that this situation will be improved in the UK now that menopause education has been added to schools' RSE curriculum. 15 In our survey of women under 40, we found slightly more knowledge than women over 40 (7) but we need to be at a point where all women feel very informed.…”

“…It was clear that many women in this study were uninformed about the menopause and had not been taught about it at school, which was similar to what we found in perimenopausal women 6 and women under 40. 7 An Italian study analysing women aged 45-60 years found that more than half of the participants did not receive any information about menopause and possible therapies, and those who did, often rated it as poor and contrasting. 13 Research has demonstrated the direct correlation between the severity of menopausal symptoms and a woman's level of knowledge.…”

“…To overcome this, we currently have the same survey live, specifically aimed at Black women. And we have completed a study on the views of women under age 40 (7). It may also be the case that those with a negative menopause experience are more likely to complete a survey and this must be taken into account.…”

“…6 When we asked women under 40 years of age, they were slightly more informed but about 80% had never been taught about the menopause at school and under 50% did not feel informed at all. 7 The European Menopause Survey, which included participants from seven European countries including the UK, showed that women obtained information mainly from non-medical sources such as magazines and television which may not always reflect the correct information. It also demonstrated that women were indeed knowledgeable about the menopause since awareness of hormone therapy as a treatment option was present but their knowledge was not always correct and complete.…”

Perimenopausal women’s voices: How does their period at the end of reproductive life affect wellbeing?

“…A study indicated 75% of women under 40 believed menopause should be taught in schools. 40 Studies show including boys in menstrual education normalises menstruation and conveys an understanding of what peers and family members are going through. 19,40 The UK’s updated secondary school RSHE curriculum (introduced in 2019) indicates that students should understand reproductive health ‘and menopause’ 56 – a phrase that reads as though menopause was tacked on as an afterthought.…”