The International Menopause Society (IMS) has published a pivotal paper to mark World Menopause Day 2024 aiming to address the current debates surrounding menopause management and controversies surrounding menopause hormone therapy (MHT).
The paper notes that in recent years, menopause has garnered unprecedented attention in popular media in many countries. While this is a positive step in terms of awareness raising and empowering women to seek care for menopause symptoms, contrasting and inconsistent messages have left many feeling confused and overwhelmed. One of the most debated and polarised topics is MHT which can offer relief from common menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings. The IMS asserts that conflicting messages about its safety and benefits can lead to confusion amongst healthcare professionals and disappointment amongst women.
In publishing this paper, the IMS – the founder of World Menopause Day – sets out who should use MHT (including if and when it should be started), the recommended types and doses, alternative treatments and advice for healthcare professionals treating women in low and middle income countries where access to hormone treatments may be limited.
Professor Nick Panay, Consultant Gynaecologist at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, Professor of Practice at Imperial College London, President of the IMS and lead author of the IMS paper, said:
“The conversation around menopause and hormone therapy is often shrouded in stigma and misinformation. When faced with overwhelming and conflicting advice, many women are left feeling isolated or unsure and their healthcare professionals can find it difficult to navigate a clear path to manage symptoms. The IMS aims to address this by providing evidence-based information to help women and healthcare professionals navigate this critical life stage and avoid unnecessary anxiety and confusion.
“By advancing menopause education globally the IMS also hopes to help healthcare professionals create supportive environments where women receive care tailored to their individual needs.”
Professor Rossella Nappi, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Pavia (Italy), incoming President of the IMS and co-author of the IMS paper, added:
“Every woman’s experience with menopause is unique. It’s essential that they have access to accurate information so they can make the best choices for their health. Menopause hormone therapy is just one of many options, and we encourage women to engage in open discussions with their healthcare professionals.”
The IMS has launched a series of resources for women for World Menopause Day aimed at demystifying menopause and MHT and providing them with the knowledge they need to understand their bodies and advocate for their health.
The IMS paper also identifies a critical unmet need for accessible, evidence-based information for healthcare professionals so they can provide safe treatment options for all women experiencing menopause. Global resources for healthcare professionals are available on the IMS website.
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Campaign Collective is a campaign partner to the International Menopause Society