060 Women’s Perspectives on Aging and Menopause and Symptom Treatment

Abstract

Women’s perspectives on their own aging are largely unknown. To assess women’s perspectives on aging and menopause and how they manage their symptoms. A survey was sent to 8561 US women (35 to 80 years); those 35-44 years old also had to currently be experiencing ≥1 symptom of aging/menopause. Questions focused on health, aging experience and journey, management and treatments. Results were analyzed by age groups (35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and 65+). A total of 5001 women responded to the survey (response rate 58%). Women were primarily white (77%), Hispanic (12%) or African-American (11%). Most women were married/cohabitating (63%) for a mean of 25 years, and younger, single women were more likely to be in or open to a relationship than older women. Women described themselves as being in postmenopause (49%), menopause (10%), peri-menopause (15%), not yet experienced menopause (15%), or unsure (9%). Most women reported being in peri-menopause at 40-49 and postmenopause at age 55+, and viewed menopause as a natural part of life (62%). Attitudes toward aging/menopause in general improved with age for both women and their partners. While 50% of older women (65+) thought menopause was relatively easy to manage, only 22% of younger women (35-44) felt that way. Younger women (35-44) had greater negative relationships with menopause (42%) and aging (59%) than older (65+) women (each 28%). Overall, 59% of women reported a positive reaction to their age-associated changes from their spouse/partner; however, 25% of these women felt their spouse/partner was unaware of what was truly happening. Conversely, 21% felt their spouse/partner had a negative reaction; with younger (35-44; 29%) vs older (65+; 13%) women reporting a higher percentage of negative reactions. Women reported currently experiencing a wide range of age-associated symptoms, most commonly gray hair (83%), wrinkles (59%), weight gain (53%), anxiety/depression/mood swings (53%), fatigue (48%), and insomnia (44%). Younger women (35-54) experienced more anxiety/depression/mood swings (62-67%) than women 55+ years (37-48%). Hot flashes/night sweats were highest in women 45-54 (51%) and declined to 39% in those 55-64; vaginal dryness was reported by 26%-34% across all age groups and discomfort/pain during sex by ∼20% for each age group except in those 65+ (15%). Symptoms most attributed to menopause were hot flashes/night sweats, vaginal symptoms (dryness, pain during sex), low libido, changes in period heaviness/frequency, irritability/mood swings, facial hair growth, and insomnia. Women felt that weight gain, fatigue, and insomnia impacted them the most. Only a third of women (30%-38%) have acted to manage their vasomotor or vaginal symptoms, and of those only 28%-32% have used hormone therapy. While 67% of women each experienced vasomotor or sexual symptoms, only 26%-31% have discussed them with their healthcare providers (HCPs). Low libido and decreased self-esteem were particularly unlikely to be discussed with HCPs.