Population-based survey on menopausal symptoms and treatment use.

OBJECTIVE: This article aimed to study the use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) among Spanish perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, the presence of menopausal symptoms and the sources of information. METHODS: The epidemiological study using a survey included Spanish perimenopausal or postmenopausal women aged between 40 and 70 years in August 2021. RESULTS: A total of 1254 women were included. In the postmenopausal group, 86% reported one or more menopausal symptoms; the most frequent was vulvovaginal dryness (57%). Among the symptomatic women, 15.2% used some treatment. Vasomotor symptoms (p = 0.001), vulvovaginal atrophy (p < 0.001) and symptoms related to sexuality (p < 0.001) were associated with greater use of treatments; 2.5% of postmenopausal women used MHT. In the perimenopausal group, 75.1% were symptomatic, hot flashes being the most frequent. Only insomnia was related to greater use of some treatment (p = 0.021); 1.6% of perimenopausal women used MHT. The most common reason for women's rejection of MHT was the fear of side effects, especially cancer. The gynecologist was the most frequently used source of information. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a high prevalence of symptoms, the use of MHT in Spanish perimenopausal and postmenopausal women is very low.

Position of the Spanish Menopause Society regarding the management of perimenopause.

Perimenopause is an imprecise period in woman over 40 years of age, which comprises the time between the moment that the first changes in the menstrual cycle appear and the year following the definitive cessation of the menses. Besides irregular bleeding, many women also complain of hot flashes and other characteristic symptoms of postmenopause. Moreover, most of them are concerned about the future impact that these events may have on their health, such as needing health exams or continuing to use contraceptive methods. A panel of experts from the Spanish Menopause Society has met to establish diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for this period based on the best available evidence.