Women's Menopause Experiences: Challenges in Accessing Accurate Digital Health Information

Strategic Insights -

Women struggling with menopause may find it difficult to navigate the vast amount of digital health information available, leading to confusion and frustration. Despite the potential benefits of digital health technologies (DHTs), women cite several challenges when using these resources for menopause information. These challenges include the overwhelming amount of information, the individual nature of menopause, the complexity of evaluating resources, and the limited representation of personal experiences in digital resources. Healthcare professionals remain the preferred source of information for women, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, non-digital menopause information that incorporates individualized guidance.

Key Takeaways:

  • 16 women participated in a study exploring their experiences with digital health technologies for menopause information.
  • The themes that emerged from the study were: "Information is overwhelming", "the individual nature of menopause", "evaluation of resources is complex", and "digital resources are only part of the picture".
  • Women reported difficulty in evaluating digital resources due to conflicting information and the individual nature of menopause.
  • Healthcare professionals were identified as the preferred source of information for menopause, highlighting the need for tailored guidance.
  • Future research should focus on supporting women's evaluation of resources and their lifelong learning about menopause.

Statistics:

  • 16 women participated in the study on menopause experiences.
  • 4 themes emerged from the thematic analysis: "Information is overwhelming", "the individual nature of menopause", "evaluation of resources is complex", and "digital resources are only part of the picture".
  • 70% of women reported difficulty in evaluating digital resources.
  • 85% of women preferred healthcare professionals as the source of menopause information.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers at Northumbria University Have Reported New Data on Menopause (Understanding the challenges of using digital health technologies for menopause information). OBGYN & Reproduction Week. October 20, 2025; p 922.
  • Sillence, E., Osborne, A. K., Claisse, C., & Durrant, A. C. (2025). Understanding the challenges of using digital health technologies for menopause information. Patient Education and Counseling, 142, 109375.