International experts have called for a redefined understanding of menopause, enhanced research, and improved treatments after a comprehensive review published in the journal Cell. Led by Professor Susan Davis, head of Monash University’s Women’s Health Research Program, the review summarised menopause knowledge and urged for more research into its timeline and treatment. It advocated for personalised, holistic care addressing symptoms and systemic changes.
The researchers proposed a new definition for menopause as the “final cessation of ovarian function,” encompassing a broader range of experiences. They highlighted the variability in menopause phases among individuals, making age-based restrictions on prescriptions problematic. Menopause treatments, from hormone therapies to lasers, lacked sufficient long-term research. Symptoms, even when subtle, had “silent health consequences.”
The experts stressed the need to address socio-economic factors impacting women’s quality of life during menopause.
The importance of shared decision-making and accessible, evidence-based information for both the public and healthcare providers was emphasised to ensure optimal menopause-related care.