Understanding of menopause within medical community is variable

The Indian Menopause Society (IMS) is a multidisciplinary national society committed to fostering the comprehensive well-being of the mature and elderly Indian women. Excerpts from an interview with IMS president Dr Anita J. Shah, a gynaecologist in Surat since 1988.

- Puja Awasthi

Q/How would you rate the understanding of menopause among the medical community?

A/The understanding of menopause within the medical community is variable—some specialists (like gynaecologists, endocrinologists and menopause specialists) are well-versed in menopause management, but many general practitioners and even some gynaecologists may have gaps in knowledge. This can be attributed to a number of reasons:

• Limited medical training on menopause, as medical education focuses more on reproductive health and pregnancy, while menopause and midlife health receive less emphasis.

• The Women's Health Initiative study in 2002 led to fear surrounding hormone therapy owing to concerns about breast cancer and cardiovascular risks. While later research clarified these risks, some doctors still hesitate to prescribe HT, leading to under-treatment.

• Lack of awareness about new therapies.

• Physicians usually focus on acute conditions (infections, emergencies) rather than the preventive aspect and chronic menopausal health concerns like osteoporosis and cardiovascular risk.

• Cultural and gender bias—symptoms like brain fog, mood swings and fatigue are often dismissed as psychological rather than physiological.

Q/What is the Indian Midlife Registry and at what stage is it currently?