The Asian Menopause Survey: knowledge, perceptions, hormone treatment and sexual function

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Women's Health
• Menopause Management

Background:

• Menopause significantly impacts women's quality of life with prevalent symptoms.
• Asian women's perspectives on menopause and its treatment are diverse and require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess Asian menopausal women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning menopause.
• To evaluate awareness and utilization of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other treatments.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1000 postmenopausal women across five Asian regions.
• Interviews conducted to gather data on menopausal symptoms, HRT knowledge, breast health, and sexual function.

Main Results:

• Nearly all women reported menopausal symptoms, with sleeplessness being a primary concern.
• Awareness of HRT was moderate (54%), but knowledge of its benefits was low (38%).
• Herbal remedies were common (37%), while HRT use was low (19%); significant gaps in breast cancer screening and HRT risk perception were noted.

Conclusions:

• Postmenopausal symptoms are widespread in Asian women, often managed with natural remedies due to a lack of awareness about conventional treatments like HRT.
• A critical need exists to enhance education on menopause, HRT, and breast cancer risks among Asian women.