The Cost of Ignoring Menopause Research
Why Women Are Experiencing Worse Symptoms Than Ever
For decades, menopause has been treated as an inevitable, mildly inconvenient phase of life—a “just get through it” milestone rather than a serious medical transition. But new research is painting a different picture: menopause symptoms are getting worse, not better, for today’s women—especially when it comes to hot flashes and night sweats.
A recent study out of Sweden found that women born in later generations experience nearly twice the rate of daily hot flashes compared to their mothers and grandmothers. Even after controlling for lifestyle changes like BMI, smoking, and medication use, the increase remained. This means that something deeper—something environmental, genetic, or even epigenetic—is driving this shift.
The Cost of Inaction
Failing to adequately fund menopause research means:
❌ More women suffering with worsening symptoms without understanding why.
❌ Lack of solutions for debilitating hot flashes and night sweats, leaving millions to struggle alone.
❌ Missed opportunities to uncover the environmental and genetic triggers responsible for worsening menopause symptoms.
❌ No policy or healthcare reform to address the racial and socioeconomic disparities that leave many women, particularly Black women, without adequate treatment.
Right now, research is only scratching the surface of what’s happening. Scientists suspect epigenetic changes—shifts in how our DNA expresses itself due to environmental and lifestyle factors—may be playing a role. But without further funding, we may never fully understand how modern life is reshaping menopause or how to intervene effectively.
The Solution: Invest in Menopause Research NOW
We can’t afford to sit back and wait for answers to emerge on their own. Menopause isn’t just a personal struggle—it’s a public health crisis. The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) has already revealed racial disparities, social determinants, and key health risks related to menopause, but much more remains unknown.
If women are experiencing worse menopause symptoms than their mothers and grandmothers, shouldn’t we be demanding answers? More research means more solutions. More solutions mean less suffering.
📢 Join the fight for better menopause research at DisruptMenopause.org. The cost of doing nothing is too high.
📰 Source: “Is menopause getting worse? Scientists say it is.” The Washington Post