Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40003512›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of environmental research and public health2025

Where Are the Knowledge Gaps in Menopause Across a Population? A National Cross-Sectional Survey in Wales.

Catherine A Sharp, Nicola Dennis, Gemma Hobson, Marysia Hamilton-Kirkwood, Karen Hughes

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Article in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Catherine A SharpPolicy and International Health Directorate, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health & Well-Being, Public Health Wales, Cardiff CF10 4BZ, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-7311-3933
Nicola DennisApplied Health Research Department, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
Gemma HobsonPublic Health Wales, Cardiff CF10 4BZ, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-6204-7651
Marysia Hamilton-KirkwoodPublic Health, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1BZ, UK.
Karen HughesPolicy and International Health Directorate, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health & Well-Being, Public Health Wales, Cardiff CF10 4BZ, UK.ORCID 0000-0001-8097-3395

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundA knowledge gap exists on population understanding and perspectives of menopause. To better support females, it is important to understand different population groups' perceived knowledge of and attitudes towards menopause. This study explored perceived knowledge of menopause, awareness of menopausal symptoms, perceived negative impacts of menopause on females' lives, and attitudes towards menopause.

methodsA national cross-sectional survey (n = 1020) was conducted with residents in Wales aged 16+ years as part of a larger population panel using a multi-method approach (online, telephone, and face-to-face), stratified by NHS health board area, age, sex, deprivation, and ethnicity. Questions on menopause were developed by the research team.

resultsNearly a third (31.1%) of participants reported having low knowledge of menopause, with younger age groups and males reporting the lowest knowledge. Hot flushes were the most recognised menopause symptom (92.2%). The symptom with the greatest gap in awareness between age groups, sexes, and deprivation quintiles was problems with memory or concentration. Most participants perceived menopause to have a large negative impact on females' mental health (76.1%), working life (69.7%) and physical health (69.6%). Females and 30-49-year-olds were more likely to perceive large negative impacts across all three domains. Most participants (77.8%) agreed that more public discussion is needed on menopause to increase understanding. The greatest support for increasing public discussion was found amongst females and people aged 30-49 years old.

conclusionsAt a population level, perceived knowledge of menopause and associated symptoms and perceived impacts on females' lives varied across socio-demographic groups. While males were less knowledgeable than females, most males perceived negative impacts on females' lives and agreed with action to improve the menopausal environment. Increasing knowledge in those who experience menopause and in those who support those who experience menopause could help females have a more positive transition process.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeMenopauseAdolescentAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedWalesYoung Adultattitudesdemographicsmenopauseperceptionspopulationwomen

Identifiers

PMID40003512
PMCPMC11855723

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.