Why women often feel unheard during menopause

“It's part of it.”

“It will pass by itself.”

“There's nothing you can do about that.”

Many women hear these kinds of statements when they go to their doctor or specialist with menopausal symptoms. The result? They feel not heard, not taken seriously and often alone in their experience. While the transition is a phase of life that can have a major impact on a physical, emotional and social level.

In this article, we look at why women so often feel unheard, what consequences this has for their health and well-being, and how healthcare providers, employers and women themselves can break this pattern.

Why are menopausal symptoms often underestimated?

1. Limited time in care

In regular primary care, a consultation takes an average of 10 minutes. That is too short to discuss complex complaints such as sleep problems, mood swings or pain in connection with hormonal changes.

2. Lack of knowledge

Although the transition is a phase that every woman goes through, the subject is covered in a limited way in medical courses. As a result, many healthcare providers do not have sufficient specialist knowledge about hormonal health.

3. Focus on single symptoms

Instead of looking at the transition as a whole, complaints are often treated separately: sleeping pills for poor sleep, antidepressants for depression, pain relievers for joint problems. The hormonal cause remains undiscussed.

4. Taboo and shame

The transition is still seen as a topic you'd rather not talk about. Women feel uncomfortable or afraid of being labeled “weak”, and are therefore more likely to remain silent about their complaints.

Consequences for women

If complaints are not taken seriously, this can have major consequences:

• Prolonged discomfort: women often walk around for years with complaints that could have been treated.
• Psychological burden: feelings of uncertainty, frustration, and loneliness are increasing.
• Work outage: sleep problems, loss of concentration and mood swings can lead to decreased productivity or even absenteeism.
• Relationship issues: changes in mood and libido can put a strain on relationships.
• Health risks: osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases are not always detected in time.

How could it be otherwise?

1. More time and attention

A menopausal woman often has several symptoms that are related to each other. This requires a thorough intake that really listens.

2. Expert guidance

Healthcare providers who specialize in hormonal health understand the coherence and can make an appropriate treatment plan.

3. Personal approach

No two women are the same. Age, genetic predisposition, lifestyle and medical history determine what works.

4. Breaking taboos

Open conversations in the workplace and in healthcare can break the shame. More and more companies are developing policies around menopause, which helps bring the topic to normal.

5. Empowering women themselves

Education is crucial. The more women understand about their bodies and the transition, the stronger they are in conversations with healthcare providers and employers.

Practical tips for women

• Prepare for your consultation: write down complaints, questions and examples.
• Be concrete: tell us what the symptoms do to your daily life (sleep, work, relationships).
• Ask by: if a doctor says “it's part of the job”, ask for alternatives or refer to a specialist.
• Seek support: talk to other women, join a community, or ask for guidance at a specialist clinic.

Practical example

A 52-year-old woman told us: “I had been dead tired for three years and couldn't concentrate on work. My doctor prescribed antidepressants, but it didn't feel good. It wasn't until I sought guidance from a specialist that I discovered that it was my hormones. With the right approach, I'll sleep again, I'll have my energy back and I'll finally feel heard.”

This example is not an isolated one. It shows how much difference recognition and specialist care can make.

The role of employers

There is also a lot of profit to be made in the workplace. Employers who discuss menopause notice:

• Less absenteeism.
• Higher employee loyalty and engagement.
• An inclusive culture where everyone feels supported.
  

Sometimes even a small gesture can help, such as flexible working hours, a quiet workspace, or simply acknowledging the problem.

The fact that women often do not feel heard during menopause is a structural problem. It comes from time pressure in healthcare, a lack of knowledge and persistent taboos. But things can be done differently. With more attention, expert guidance, and open conversations, women can receive the recognition and care they deserve.

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