Finding support through the menopause journey

Despite being a universal life stage, menopause can be a unique experience for every woman. Symptoms can vary widely in both timing and severity, and they often develop gradually over several years.

Because changes such as sleep disruption, mood changes, hot flashes or brain fog can have many possible causes, some women may not immediately recognize it’s part of the menopause transition.

While most women experience menopause-related symptoms, there can be a gap in where they find support.

• 84% of women experience menopause-related symptoms and physical changes¹
• 87% of women don’t engage with the health care system²

Menopause care is not consistently taught across clinical training,³ so a care journey can be fragmented at best and non-existent at worst. Some women report conflicting medical advice about menopause⁴ or are simply told to “deal with” their symptoms, without additional support.

One of the most important things women can do during this life stage is advocate for themselves.

A primary care physician or an OB-GYN can often help assess symptoms and discuss treatment options. If your symptoms are complex or continue without clear answers, consider finding a clinician with specific experience and training in menopause care.

Having an open conversation with your provider may help you better understand what’s happening and look for ways to help manage your symptoms. Be honest about how disruptive the symptoms are in your everyday life. Consider asking questions such as:

• Could menopause be contributing to the symptoms I'm experiencing?
• What options are available to help manage these symptoms?
• Would hormone therapy or non-hormonal treatments be appropriate for me?
• Are there lifestyle changes that may help improve how I'm feeling?
• What should I know about my health as I move through this stage of life?

It may also be helpful to keep a record of symptoms before an appointment. Noting patterns in sleep, hot flashes, mood changes or other concerns can help provide a fuller picture of your experience.

Perimenopause symptoms can affect many parts of daily life, including work. Sleep disruption, difficulty concentrating, brain fog and mood changes may make it harder to stay focused or manage stress throughout the day. For many women, these changes occur during a time when they are also balancing careers, family responsibilities and caregiving.

The impact often becomes most noticeable when symptoms start affecting your ability to focus, keep up with responsibilities or perform tasks that once felt routine. Recognizing that connection could help put symptoms into context and make it easier to seek the support you need.

Depending on your health plan benefits, resources may include prescription coverage for hormone therapy or non-hormonal medications, educational materials, care navigation, coaching, nutritional support and behavioral health resources.

Hormone therapy works by replacing hormones that naturally decline during menopause and may help relieve symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness and other symptoms that can affect daily life.⁴ Depending on individual needs and clinical guidance, hormone therapy may be available in several forms, including pills, patches, gels, sprays and vaginal treatments.

Hormone therapy options are broadly covered across multiple forms, including commonly used generics. Non-hormonal medications may also help manage common symptoms.

UnitedHealthcare helps support women through the menopause transition by working to connect eligible members to treatment options, information and care resources that may help them better understand and manage symptoms.

Depending on your health plan, eligible members may have access to specialized programs such as:

• Maven Clinic, which offers 24/7 virtual access to menopause care and guidance
• Visana Health, a virtual women’s clinic to help assess symptoms and provide solutions
• Calm Health, which provides whole-person support across mental and emotional health needs
• Elektra Health, which provides support and guidance for menopause

Menopause is a normal part of aging, but that does not mean women should have to navigate it alone.

Whether symptoms are mild or more disruptive, understanding what is happening, finding trusted medical guidance and advocating for care can help women feel more informed and confident throughout the journey.