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Menopause symptom awareness research across the globe: a scoping review

Williams, E., Terry, L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6200-8230, Lindeman, M. and Wright, M.E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2744-4504 2026. Menopause symptom awareness research across the globe: a scoping review. Frontiers in Global Women's Health 7 , 1829378. 10.3389/fgwh.2026.1829378

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License Start date: 28 May 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Menopause is a major global health burden that directly impacts the wellbeing of half the population. Menopause is associated with a range of psychological, vasomotor, somatic and urogynocological symptoms that impact quality-of-life and day-to-day functioning. Despite this, it is still an under-discussed and taboo topic internationally, with women reporting a lack of understanding and social support, which in turn worsens the symptom experience. A lack of awareness or knowledge of menopause symptoms is a barrier to effective and understanding social support. Therefore, it is important that not only those going through menopause have awareness of symptoms, but those within their social and professional networks. To ease the global impact of menopausal symptoms, a vital step is raising awareness and encouraging social support. This scoping review aims to map current research into menopause symptom awareness across the world, sampling all ages and genders in the non-medical general public in low- to high-income countries. Methods: Online databases were used to identify eligible studies up to June 2025, of which 84 were selected for the final sample. Results and discussion: Prevalence of research across the world is mapped and underrepresented areas are highlighted, including non-female samples, low-income countries, and assessment of ocular symptom knowledge. This work will inform and highlight priority areas for future research and awareness campaigns.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Research Institutes & Centres > Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC)
Schools > Optometry and Vision Sciences
Schools > Physics and Astronomy
Publisher: Frontiers Media
ISSN: 2673-5059
Funders: Wellcome Trust
Projects: WT224267
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 28 May 2026
Date of Acceptance: 14 April 2026
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2026 09:48
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/187253

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