UNDER-RECOGNITION OF MENOPAUSE-RELATED SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT PATTERNS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY OF WOMEN

Background: Women in perimenopause and menopause often have physical and psychological symptoms, which are frequently overlooked or misattributed. Although treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) exist and management approaches vary, antidepressants are frequently prescribed. Objective: Our aim was to assess symptom burden, healthcare-seeking behavior, and treatment patterns among women, focusing on antidepressant use and HRT consideration. Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous questionnaire survey on demographics, symptoms, healthcare-seeking behavior, and treatment. Descriptive statistics summarized findings as proportions. Results: We analyzed 403 respondents; 401 (99.5%) identied as women. Age distribution: 79 (19.6%) under 35, 78 (19.4%) aged 40–45, and 68 (16.9%) aged 45–50. Most, 259 (64.3%), had not sought medical help despite symptoms. Regarding treatment, 101 (25.1%) were prescribed antidepressants, 284 (70.5%) were not, and 32 (7.9%) were offered HRT. Notably, 288 (71.5%) reported HRT was not suggested, and 83 (20.6%) had not consulted a doctor. These findings indicate that many symptomatic women don’t seek care, antidepressants are prescribed more than HRT, and HRT is rarely considered, even for symptoms. Conclusions: Many women with hormonally suggestive symptoms do not seek medical care. In those who do, antidepressants are prescribed more often than HRT, which is rarely considered. This shows a clear gap between symptom presence and medical engagement, highlighting the need for better awareness and improved, guideline-based, personalized care for menopause-related symptoms.