The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48858

Patricia B. Koch, PhD¹, Phyllis K. Mansfield, PhD², Molley Carey³, and Beth Quinio¹. (1) Dept. of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, 315 East Health and Human Development, University Park, PA 16802, 814-863-0190, p3k@psu.edu, (2) Women's Studies, Pennsylvania State University, Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802, (3) Tremin Trust Research Project, Pennsylvania State University, 702 Oswald Tower, University Park, PA 16802

The Tremin Trust Research Program on Women's Health is a longitudinal study of women's health focusing on menstrual health. Begun in 1934, more than 2,000 women keep a daily menstrual calendar documenting characteristics of their menstrual cycles, as well as complete yearly surveys assessing various aspects of their health from a bio-psycho-social perspective. As these women have progressed through the menopausal transition, their needs for support have been documented; as well as how these needs have been met. Ignorance of the typical menstrual, physical, and emotional changes that occur during menopausal transition has been described as the worst aspect of their menopausal experience. Women cite the popular media as their primary source of information. Almost one-half (42%) cite their friends and colleagues as being the most supportive and nearly one-third (31%) cite physicians as being the least supportive. Over one-quarter (26%) of the sample had visited a physician to discuss menstrual cycle changes during the past year. In 42% of those visits, the women believed that the physician did not provide enough current information regarding menopause and the choices of strategies for dealing with symptoms. One-quarter (25%) of the women reported that the physician did not spend enough time listening to or dealing with her concerns and did not encourage or respect her ability to make decisions. More information concerning sources and outcomes for informational, emotional, and instrumental support will be provided.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• identify at least 3 major concerns of women as they pass through the menopausal transition.
• identify the most and least supportive sources for these women.
• recommend at least 3 strategies for improving support.

Keywords: Aging, Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.