Experts Discuss Educational Gaps Regarding Treatment Of Menopause Symptoms

Dr. Wendy Sweet (PhD), a renowned New Zealand Menopause
and Lifestyle Practitioner, has been diligently listening to
the experiences of midlife and older women for almost a
decade. Through her extensive understanding of their health
challenges during menopause, she has become a trusted figure
in the field. One of her notable contributions is the
MyMT™ Menopause
Symptoms Quiz, which women from all over the world have
taken to gain insight into their menopause symptom
journey.

Surprisingly, the results of the quiz
challenge common assumptions. Hot flushes and brain fog,
although significant, are not the primary concerns for the
500,000+ women who participated. Instead, a staggering 83%
express their overwhelming fatigue, which greatly affects
their well-being. This fatigue is often intertwined with
sleep difficulties, as confirmed by 81% of respondents.
Moreover, 80% report joint discomfort that adversely impacts
their quality of life and activity levels. In addition, 76%
perceive themselves as overweight, highlighting the need for
effective weight management strategies during menopause and
post-menopause. Finally, an alarming 73% of women indicated
that they have been diagnosed with high blood
pressure.

Recently, Dr. Sweet had the opportunity to
share these insights at the Women’s Health and Ageing
Innovation conference in Pasadena, California. She was
invited to moderate a panel discussion on the gaps in
menopause education among healthcare professionals. This
topic holds particular significance for her, as she
previously argued in her doctoral defence that numerous
Practitioners, from a range of disciplines, including
Medical Practitioners, may overlook the needs of women
during their menopause transition, when it comes to
lifestyle solutions, because their education in this area
has not been part of their education curricula.

During
the panel discussion, Dr. Sweet was joined by esteemed
experts in the field, including Dr. Dunsmoor-Su, Chief
Medical Officer of Gennev, the largest virtual menopause
clinic in the US, and Dr. Castillo, an internationally
recognized authority on bio-identical hormone treatment for
women. Their insights also shed light on the lack of
menopause training physicians receive, even in leading
nations such as America and the UK.

These
conversations have emphasised the significance of the
decisions women make regarding their menopause treatment and
the sources from which they seek support for managing their
symptoms. Unfortunately, inequities persist, with many women
unable to afford private endocrinologists for hormone
therapy based on blood work results. However, there is
positive news on the horizon. The “Menopause Clinic” market
is gaining momentum in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand,
though progress in America seems slower. Dr. Dunsmoor-Su
highlighted the shortage of endocrinologists in California,
with only 1000 serving the entire state. The goal remains to
ensure equitable access for all women.

As Dr Wendy
Sweet says “It is important to bring these conversations
to light because I understand firsthand how challenging it
can be to make decisions about managing menopause
symptoms, not only from a medical and pharmaceutical
perspective, but also in terms of the specific lifestyle
solutions that are also beneficial to women. At the core, it
begins with finding a doctor who truly understands menopause
symptom management and takes your concerns seriously and
Practitioners who understand your lifestyle needs,
especially in relation to those women who are overweight.
This decision is crucial as women navigate through their
menopause transition”.

As demonstrated by Dr.
Sweet’s impactful contributions and interactions with
influential experts, her expertise and commitment to women’s
health continues to shape the future of menopause care, from
a lifestyle perspective. Through her women’s health and
ageing studies and advocacy, she aims to help bridge the
knowledge gaps in health professionals and revolutionise
menopause symptom management.

Dr Wendy Sweet (PhD) Is
A Menopause and Post-Menopause Practitioner and Pioneer of
Menopause Symptom Reduction and Weight Loss Programmes Using
Evidenced Lifestyle Science. MyMT™ Has Helped 15,000 Women
Globally Manage Their Menopause Symptoms
Effectively.

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