Navigating Menopause: Symptom Severity and Barriers to Medical Consultation Among Middle-Aged Women in Saudi Arabia

Background: The menopausal phase represents a pivotal transition in a woman’s reproductive life, characterized by a wide spectrum of somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms. Research indicates that, despite the severity of these symptoms, women encounter multiple barriers when seeking medical care. This study aims to assess the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms among women in Saudi Arabia, as well as the barriers to seeking medical consultation for their management. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among 430 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in Saudi Arabia using a self-administered online questionnaire. Data were collected on demographics, menopausal symptom severity using the menopause rating scale (MRS), and barriers to seeking medical advice. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27. Results: The mean MRS score was 17.28 ± 9.43, with 52.5% of participants reporting severe to very severe symptoms. Physical and mental exhaustion was the most prevalent symptom (84.9%), while the belief that menopausal symptoms are a natural part of aging was the most frequently reported barrier to seeking medical advice (45.1%). Severe to very severe menopausal symptoms were significantly more common among married participants. In addition, older age, higher educational level, unemployment, and the presence of a chronic disease were identified as risk factors for greater symptom severity. Conclusion: More than half of the women in this study experienced severe to very severe menopausal symptoms. There is a critical need for enhanced health education to promote strategies for alleviating these symptoms and to emphasize the importance of seeking appropriate medical care.