Women’s information needs about menopause: a cross-sectional survey in Norwegian general practice

Abstract

Background Research indicates that providing women with information about menopause can improve their attitude towards menopause and symptom experience. Nevertheless, information shared on this topic is often arbitrary. Aim Examine women’s information needs about menopause, and understand if, when, and from whom they want information. Design & setting A cross-sectional study among women in the waiting room of 54 general practice clinics in South-Eastern Norway, autumn 2022. Method Medical students recruited women in the clinics waiting room. A one-page study specific questionnaire was used, focusing on need for information about menopause. Results A total of 625 women were included, with a mean age of 44.4 years (SD 8.7). In all, 59% answered that they wanted information about menopause, and 81% of these wanted their general practitioner (GP) to inform them, from a median age of 45. According to the women, only 10% of GPs had addressed the topic. Higher education was a predictor for wanting information. A main driver of information needs was to help oneself in the present and in the future. In all, 33% did not want information. The main reasons were that they already possessed sufficient information, would take menopause as it comes, were too young, or were already postmenopausal. The gender of the GP did not influence the results. Conclusion Most women wanted information about menopause from their GP. The study emphasises the need for GPs to consider prioritising this discussion, and to keep up to date on recommendations and treatment options.