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AbstractObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionsThis study aimed to evaluate physician–patient alignment on menopausal symptom burden and impact for women experiencing natural vasomotor symptoms (nVMS) or VMS induced by endocrine therapy for breast cancer (iVMS).For this real-world, cross-sectional survey, physicians from the USA and five European countries provided data for consulting patients experiencing nVMS/iVMS; patients optionally self-reported their experiences. Alignment between physician and patient responses was assessed using weighted Cohen’s κ analysis.Physicians and patients completed 1029 pairs of surveys (846 nVMS; 183 iVMS). In 28.1% of cases for nVMS and 29.6% for iVMS, patients reported more severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) than physicians; alignment of responses was slight (nVMS, κ = 0.1364, p ≤ 0.0001; iVMS, κ = 0.1014, p = 0.039). For the non-VMS symptoms surveyed, 18.5–34.9% of patients with nVMS and iVMS reported symptoms without a corresponding physician report; sleep disturbances, cognitive difficulties and mood changes were among the symptoms most under-reported by physicians. Alignment regarding the impact of nVMS and iVMS on sleep, mood and overall quality of life was moderate.Only slight to moderate physician–patient alignment was found across all areas surveyed. These findings suggest that physicians often underestimate the severity of VMS and the presence of other menopausal symptoms, highlighting a need to improve physician–patient communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Climacteric is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Climacteric is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Climacteric is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Climacteric is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Menopause is a natural and universal experience for women between the ages of 45 and 55, marking a new phase in their lives. While menopause is not a disease, the biological changes that occur during this time can greatly impact a woman's quality of life and overall health. With more women living longer and experiencing menopause, it is important to prioritize women's health and well-being during this stage. The International Menopause Society (IMS) aims to promote and support access to best-practice healthcare for women during their menopause transition and post-reproductive years. The narrative surrounding menopause is highly individualized, and women should have personalized care options that are evidence-based and tailored to their needs. There are contrasting views on menopause in the media, which can leave women confused and disempowered. It is important to strike a balance in providing accurate information and empowering women to make informed decisions about their health. The IMS is committed to disseminating balanced, evidence-based information on menopause care to healthcare professionals and women worldwide. [Extracted from the article]