Perimenopause symptoms, severity, and healthcare seeking in women in the US

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 rep...

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Main Authors: Adam C. Cunningham, Yella Hewings-Martin, Aidan P. Wickham, Carley Prentice, Jennifer L. Payne, Liudmila Zhaunova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:npj Women's Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44294-025-00061-3
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author Adam C. Cunningham
Yella Hewings-Martin
Aidan P. Wickham
Carley Prentice
Jennifer L. Payne
Liudmila Zhaunova
author_facet Adam C. Cunningham
Yella Hewings-Martin
Aidan P. Wickham
Carley Prentice
Jennifer L. Payne
Liudmila Zhaunova
author_sort Adam C. Cunningham
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-e5d686a264b540e684c112207558db722025-08-20T02:54:39ZengNature Portfolionpj Women's Health2948-17162025-02-01311810.1038/s44294-025-00061-3Perimenopause symptoms, severity, and healthcare seeking in women in the USAdam C. Cunningham0Yella Hewings-Martin1Aidan P. Wickham2Carley Prentice3Jennifer L. Payne4Liudmila Zhaunova5Flo Health, Inc.Flo Health, Inc.Flo Health, Inc.Flo Health, Inc.Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of VirginiaFlo Health, Inc.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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44294-025-00061-3
spellingShingle Adam C. Cunningham
Yella Hewings-Martin
Aidan P. Wickham
Carley Prentice
Jennifer L. Payne
Liudmila Zhaunova
Perimenopause symptoms, severity, and healthcare seeking in women in the US
npj Women's Health
title Perimenopause symptoms, severity, and healthcare seeking in women in the US
title_full Perimenopause symptoms, severity, and healthcare seeking in women in the US
title_fullStr Perimenopause symptoms, severity, and healthcare seeking in women in the US
title_full_unstemmed Perimenopause symptoms, severity, and healthcare seeking in women in the US
title_short Perimenopause symptoms, severity, and healthcare seeking in women in the US
title_sort perimenopause symptoms severity and healthcare seeking in women in the us
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44294-025-00061-3
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