Knowledge and attitudes of premenopausal women in southern China toward menopause and menopausal hormone therapy

Menopause is a significant and natural phase in a woman's life, representing a transition that requires early understanding to manage its effects and promote overall well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, understanding and perceptions of menopause and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) among premenopausal women in southern China. A cross-sectional design was employed to enroll women aged 18-40 years (n = 1631) from August 2022 to January 2023 at a public hospital in Fujian, China. A structured questionnaire, developed from existing research and the Climacteric Scale, was used to assess women's menopausal symptoms and MHT knowledge. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to identify factors correlated with menopausal knowledge levels. More than 50% of women demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of menopause. Education level was a significant predictor of menopause knowledge (p < 0.001), with women holding higher education (college degree or above) demonstrating greater knowledge than those with lower education (high school or below). High awareness of common menopausal symptoms, including irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and hot flashes, was observed. Although most participants lacked detailed knowledge of MHT, they agreed on the importance of managing menopausal symptoms and recognized the usefulness of MHT for symptom management. Premenopausal women in southern China possess a basic understanding of menopause but lack sufficient knowledge about MHT. This highlights the need for educational initiatives and targeted counseling to increase awareness of menopause and MHT, especially regarding its implications and treatment options.