Bothersome VMS associated with menopause: a survey of the impact on women and their partners in the United States.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) on women going through menopause and their partners, and the anticipated gaps in these perceptions.

METHODS

Noninterventional, online surveys (May-June 2024) of women with VMS in the United States and their partners. Surveys were similar, but not identical, to allow comparisons of perspectives. No personally identifiable information was collected.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 253 matched women and partner pairs. Mean age for women was 50.7 and partners 52.2 years. Similar numbers of women (40.7%, n=103) and partners (46.3%, n=117) reported that the woman had severe VMS. Women were more likely to seek treatment for any condition; 73.5% (n=186) of women and 58.5% (n=148) of partners reported high likelihood of seeking treatment. However, 78.7% (n=199) of women reported never receiving VMS treatment. Fewer women (48.6%, n=123) than partners (67.2%, n=170) reported that the partner encouraged the woman to understand their symptoms and pursue VMS treatment. More than half of women (59.3%; n=131) and partners (50.5%; n=113) reported a ≥2-point decrease in sexual satisfaction when comparing before VMS to the present.

CONCLUSIONS

VMS have the potential to reduce relationship satisfaction for women and for their partners. Although women and partners were generally aligned on the daily life impact of VMS, there were problems with communication and gaps in perception. Furthermore, most women had never received treatment for VMS. This suggests an unmet need for educational programs and highlights the importance of enhancing communication between women experiencing VMS and their health care professionals.