Problems in women's knowledge about menopause

Women need to know more about menopause to be able to make informed decisions about their own health. They need information about the usual short-term and long-term effects of menopause and about pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches that may be helpful in responding to these effects. Some of this information does not exist at present, and what is known is not well disseminated. To address these problems, the research agenda on menopause should include studies specifically intended to produce the necessary information. Improved dissemination of the information will require the joint efforts of journalists, scientists, health care professionals, and women themselves.