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Survey Seeks Better Doctor-Patient Relationship in Treating Menopause

by Raquel Gaerlan

Geriatric Times

September/October 2003

Vol. IV

Issue 5

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In an effort to help educate women about menopause and treatment options, a recent survey commissioned by the National Consumers League (NCL) sought to learn about women's experiences as patients with menopause, the effect of symptoms on their lives, and the steps they are taking to treat them. Doctors who treat women with menopause were also surveyed.

The survey of 851 women between the ages of 45 and 59 found that almost one-third of these women do not discuss their symptoms with doctors. As the severity of menopausal symptoms increases, the satisfaction level with doctor-patient relationships decreases.

Women reported the need to improve the quality of dialogue with their doctors as well as obtain more information about their menopausal symptoms. Thirty-two percent of the women said that doctors tend to trivialize their symptoms; 43% of the doctors agreed. In addition, more than 80% of the doctors admitted their lack of knowledge of these symptoms. Seventy-six percent of the women surveyed believed that treatment decisions should be a joint effort between the woman and her doctor, although 65% of the patients reported that decisions were left up to them.

The survey also classified menopausal symptom severity into three categories: severe, moderate and mild. Seventeen percent of the women reported severe symptoms that greatly impacted their daily lives. Women in this category said that the symptoms strained relationships with family and friends (43%); they felt moody and irritable and were subject to crying (60%); and they experienced decreased sex drive (74%). Moderate symptoms were reported in 34% of the women. Mild symptoms were reported in 49% of the women surveyed, the most common complaint being hot flashes (61%). In this group, 88% were satisfied with their doctor's advice regarding menopause, but satisfaction declined to 67% for women in the severe symptom category.

The NCL is providing tools to women with menopausal symptoms to help recognize their symptoms through a campaign called "MenoPAUSE: Take Time to Talk about Your Symptoms." The campaign stresses the importance of women understanding their symptoms and the need to improve patient-doctor relationships in this area--RG