Groundbreaking Study Examines Symptom Patterns During Menopause Transition

A pioneering study led by Monash University has provided new insights into the prevalence and severity of symptoms experienced by women throughout menopause. The research, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, is believed to be the first comprehensive investigation to detail how symptoms differ across the various stages of menopause.

The study analyzed data from over 5,500 women aged 40 to 69, recruited between 2023 and 2024. Participants were categorized into premenopausal, early perimenopausal, late perimenopausal, and postmenopausal groups. The findings revealed that nearly 40% of women in the perimenopausal stage suffer from untreated vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flushes and night sweats, which can be debilitating.

Senior author Professor Susan Davis emphasized that moderate to severe VMS and vaginal dryness are key symptoms distinguishing perimenopause. These symptoms are five and 2.5 times more common, respectively, in women during this transitional phase compared to premenopausal women. The study also highlighted that the onset of VMS is highly specific to perimenopause, making them valuable indicators for diagnosing this stage, especially in cases where menstrual patterns have become irregular or periods have ceased due to hysterectomy or other procedures.

Interestingly, the research noted that other symptoms like poor memory or low mood, although present, are less specific to menopause. Vaginal dryness, in particular, stood out as a significant sexual symptom differentiating women entering perimenopause.

Another critical finding was that women with regular menstrual cycles but with changes in flow and VMS could already be in the early stages of menopause. This supports the idea that symptom-based criteria can aid in earlier recognition and management of menopause, beyond traditional cycle-based definitions.

Dr. Rakib Islam, the study's first author, pointed out that current classifications often overlook women with regular cycles who are experiencing menopausal symptoms. He advocates for more symptom-focused approaches to improve diagnosis and care.

The study's findings have vital implications for women's healthcare, emphasizing the importance of listening to women's symptoms and providing timely, evidence-based treatments for menopause-related issues. It underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of menopause, which could lead to better management strategies and improved quality of life for women.

For more information, see the original study: Prevalence and severity of symptoms across the menopause transition.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-kind-explores-symptom-prevalence-menopause.html