Discussing menopause in general practice.

Abstract

UNLABELLED: The dual objective is, first, to determine if menopausal women discuss the menopause with a doctor, and if so to which extent; second, to ascertain potential differences between those who do and those who do not. METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to 1251 Danish women randomly selected among all 51-year-old women born and living in Denmark. Completed questionnaires were returned by 972 (77%) women. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: More than two thirds (71.8%) of the peri and postmenopausal women had discussed the menopause with a doctor; either with the general practitioner (GP) or with another doctor. There were significant differences between women who had discussed the menopause with a doctor and those who had not. The more problematic the symptoms the greater the likelihood that the woman would have discussed the menopause. Women who had not discussed the menopause with a doctor, had fewer symptoms and were more critical of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Menopausal symptoms do not necessarily create problems for women in their daily lives. For example almost all women reported hot flushes (87.2%), but few felt very bothered by this symptom (13.8%). Doctors most often listen to menopausal women with severe symptoms. This "bias" may direct the focus upon the negative aspects of menopause. It is suggested that active intervention among women who have not consulted a doctor about menopause is inappropriate, partly because they apparently have chosen non-medical solutions and partly because they have so few symptoms that the use of resources in this way could be considered wasteful.