Over 17 million women in menopause, priority to personalized and multidisciplinary care

The impact of menopause on women's health is still largely underestimated and poorly recognized. There is no systematic and effective management, the general condition is often not treated and it is important that the symptoms are not underestimated. For this reason, on the initiative of the Honorable Martina Semenzato , in collaboration with the Onda ETS Foundation, a document was presented to the Chamber that promotes "a personalized and multidisciplinary management of women in menopause and determines the main characteristics through a uniform and integrated path across the territory"

“Ensuring adequate support for women in menopause is a priority to which we pay the utmost attention,” explains the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci , “also in consideration of the increased life expectancy. Today we know that prevention, information and multidisciplinarity are the levers to ensure women live a long life in full well-being. For this reason, we are investing decisively in the promotion of healthy lifestyles and in encouraging a greater diffusion of multi-specialist centers for menopause that ensure comprehensive care for women. With a shared path, we can build a society that is increasingly attentive to the needs of each person and at every stage of life.”

It is estimated that in Italy there are 17 million women in menopause and perimenopause. "It is very important that women have full awareness of their physiology - underlines the Minister for the Family, Eugenia Roccella -. Health information is certainly an essential component, but the topic goes even further. Having the tools to understand, to decide, to choose, means managing one's health in an aware way, which obviously does not mean 'doing it yourself', but developing a form of empowerment in this field too, which allows women to express their best and realize themselves in every phase of their life".

In the programmatic document, two strategies have been identified to be implemented: implementing a preventive approach to menopause, to reduce the risks of related pathologies, spreading awareness of the psycho-physical condition of women, recognizing the importance of not underestimating the symptoms, as well as starting multidisciplinary programs managed by a team of professionals. The document is proposed, in fact, as a starting point for the development of legal paths that structure a uniform plan for the care of women in menopause, especially at a local and territorial level, with personalized treatment plans. Unlike pregnancy, menopause is in fact managed with a multidisciplinary approach mainly by private medical centers and without following ministerial guidelines or recommendations, leading to a significant disparity in access to care and resources.

A recent survey of about 600 menopausal women, conducted with the support of Fondazione Onda, showed that 44% of women believe they have a medium-low level of information on the topic of menopause; information mainly collected through the experiences of friends and family (74%), consultation of information websites (62%) and dialogue with professionals (gynecologists 65% and family doctors 39%).