Capturing the Voices of Menopausal Women Through In-Depth Interviews
Those Approaching Menopause Feel "Fear," While Those Who Have Experienced It Feel "Confusion"
High Risk of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease, but Low Awareness of Chronic Illness
Hanwha General Insurance's women-focused research center, LIFEPLUS Femtech Lab, announced on June 10 that it has released a women's research note titled "Is This What Menopause Feels Like?"
The Femtech Lab published this report after conducting in-depth interviews with two groups: women approaching menopause and women who have already experienced it. The study focused on the fact that one out of every three women in Korea is between the ages of 40 and 59, and that this demographic forms a significant part of the workforce. The lab expanded its focus from the previously targeted women in their 20s and 30s to include those in their 40s and 50s.
Women approaching menopause exhibited a strong psychological resistance to menopause itself. They expressed anxiety and fear, and tended to equate menopause with aging.
Women who have experienced menopause reported feelings of confusion due to unexpected symptoms and a lack of information, which led to insufficient preparation. They experienced a variety of symptoms, including physical symptoms (insomnia, joint pain, heart palpitations) and psychological symptoms (depression, mood swings), but faced difficulties in obtaining accurate diagnoses or accessing treatment.
Women identified hospitals and other professional medical institutions as the most trusted sources of information. In contrast, trust in unofficial channels such as social networking services (SNS) or YouTube was low. Concerns about side effects from hormone therapy were also found to be a factor that made them hesitant to seek treatment.
The report also revealed a lack of awareness regarding the link between menopause and chronic diseases. After menopause, a decrease in estrogen affects cholesterol regulation and bone density maintenance. Changes in body fat distribution can also lead to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes. Most women approaching menopause perceived it simply as a part of aging. Even among women who have experienced menopause, few systematically understood its connection to chronic diseases.
A representative from the LIFEPLUS Femtech Lab stated, "It is necessary to shift the perception of menopause from being a change to avoid, to viewing it as a starting point for designing a new phase of life," and added, "This report serves as a foundation to fill the gap in health information and to support women throughout their lives."
The full report is available on the official website of the LIFEPLUS Femtech Lab.
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