“All women in their 40s are miserable” - health care provision throughout the menopause in the UK: a mixed-methods study

Background: The UK healthcare system faces a shortage of high-quality menopausal care. Objective: To understand perspectives regarding the availability and quality of menopause care services in the UK. Methods: An online survey was generated using Qualtrics XM®. Data from 952 respondents were analysed using a mixed-methods approach. Results: 74.47% of women sought help for the menopause. Oral (68.83%) and topical medication (17.21%), as well as lifestyle changes (17.21%) were the most common treatment approaches. There was a lack of consistent integration of mental health screening into menopausal care. Open-ended response data from women who reported poor quality of care revealed six themes: consequences of poor care, dismissive or negative attitudes from healthcare professionals (HCPs), poor treatment management, symptom information and misattribution, poor HCP knowledge, and the need for self-advocacy. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of improving HCP knowledge, providing empathetic and supportive care, and involving women in decision-making.