Perimenopause symptoms, severity, and healthcare seeking in women in the US
Adam Cunningham, Yella Martin, Aidan Wickham, Carley Prentice, Jennifer L. Payne, Liudmila Zhaunova
Abstract
Perimenopause is the transition through menopause and is associated with many symptoms, which can impact daily functioning. Many people who menstruate feel unprepared as they approach menopause, highlighting the need for research into the experience of individuals at this time. Here, we report the results of a survey of 4432 U.S. women about clinical help-seeking and the presence and severity of perimenopause symptoms. By assessing the reported frequencies of consultations and symptoms, we found high rates of consultation with doctors about perimenopause and significant symptom burden, even in individuals aged 30–45 years. Additionally, using logistic regression, we identified key cycle, vasomotor, and urinary symptoms that are most associated with a perimenopause diagnosis. These results suggest that although rates of clinical help-seeking, perimenopause diagnosis, and symptom severity increase as age approaches the typical age of the final menstrual period, a significant number of individuals aged 30–45 years experience perimenopause-related symptoms.