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Menopause and perimenopause bring a wide range of symptoms that profoundly impact women’s quality of life, yet they are often overlooked by healthcare systems in many countries. What’s even more concerning is that many women themselves fail to recognise that these symptoms are linked to menopause. Instead, they suffer in silence, believing the discomfort is a natural part of aging and something they simply have to endure.
How the System Fails Women in Menopause
The second half of a woman’s life is marked by the end of her reproductive years and the onset of post-menopause. This phase comes with specific health challenges and risks unique to women, which differ greatly from men as they age. Despite this, healthcare systems still tend to adopt a one-size-fits-all approach. This neglect leads to undiagnosed and untreated conditions, which can dramatically diminish a woman's health and well-being. For too long, medical research has been male-focused, and many drugs have been introduced to the market without being adequately tested on women, resulting in more frequent adverse reactions in women.
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
For instance, the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), which encompasses symptoms like vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, loss of libido, and urinary issues, is a condition that affects up to 50% of postmenopausal women. Despite its prevalence, it often goes undiagnosed, as many women are unaware that these symptoms are part of menopause and hesitate to bring them up with their doctors. Sexual pain, for example, can lead to anxiety around intimacy, further straining a woman's emotional health and relationships.
Cultural Stigma and Misinformation
The physical changes are equally profound, thinning of the vaginal walls, reduced lubrication, and changes in genital appearance can lead to painful intercourse, infections, and incontinence. These symptoms can severely affect a woman's self-esteem, sexual health, and overall quality of life. Yet, cultural stigmas surrounding menopause and a lack of education on the topic leave many women feeling that their suffering is just something they must accept.
Pain, Anxiety, and the Need for Better Care
This is where the healthcare system’s shortcomings become glaringly obvious. Doctors often avoid discussing these issues due to personal discomfort or lack of training, and women are left untreated or inadequately treated. In many cases, women are prescribed a simple oestrogen cream without further investigation, dismissing the complexity of their conditions. This approach overlooks the coexisting issues like vulvar dermatoses, which can exacerbate pain and discomfort, making life unbearable for many women.
The Urgent Need for Gender-Specific Healthcare
Ultimately, the stigma and silence surrounding menopause cause women to needlessly suffer. More awareness, research, and gender-specific healthcare are essential to ensuring that women receive the care they deserve. Menopause is not just a natural transition but a life stage that requires medical attention to preserve a woman's physical, emotional, and sexual well-being. Women's voices must be heard, and their needs must be met to break the cycle of quiet suffering.
Resources:
Current Treatment Modalities for the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Cemal Tamer Erel,2019
Vulvar Dermatoses and Menopause Joana Lyra and Pedro Vieira-Baptista,2019
