Menopause Is Often Missing From Women's Medical Records

A recent analysis found that only about 12% of electronic medical records mentioned menopause even though more than half of women separately reported experiencing the transition.

Menopause is a major biological transition that can affect sleep, mood, bone health, cardiovascular risk and quality of life. Yet new research suggests that it is frequently under-recorded in routine medical documentation. Researchers examining electronic medical records involving almost 240,000 women found that menopause was mentioned in only around 12% of records. This was striking because more than half of the women reported experiencing the transition through other information sources. Poor documentation can have consequences beyond record-keeping. Menopause status may help doctors interpret symptoms, assess osteoporosis risk, consider cardiovascular risk factors and understand changes in metabolic health. The findings highlight the importance of treating menopause as a significant component of women's health rather than viewing it only as a temporary collection of symptoms. Better documentation could help healthcare providers identify relevant risks and provide more appropriate preventive care throughout midlife and later life.