The authors point out that almost a billion women worldwide are postmenopausal. The biology of menopause is the same for everyone, but the experience varies widely: it is shaped not only by hormones but also by psychological, social and environmental factors that can be changed.
Not a deficiency, but a transition
The paper criticises the view of menopause as a “hormone deficiency disease”. Instead, it proposes an empowerment model: the woman is the expert on her own condition, and the doctor is a partner who helps her make informed decisions. The World Health Organization defines empowerment as a process of gaining knowledge, confidence and self-determination.
What this means for you
- Reliable information about menopause helps you feel more confident.
- You can come to your doctor with your own questions and priorities.
- There are many treatment options, and the decision is a shared one.
Sources
- Hickey M, LaCroix AZ, Doust J et al. An empowerment model for managing menopause. The Lancet. 2024. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02799-X