A Call to Action for Examining Perimenopause and Menopause Education in Doctor of Pharmacy Curricula

Abstract

Menopause is shifting from a rarely discussed topic to a socially acceptable one that patients and practitioners need to learn about. Instead of being discussed behind closed doors, there is growing recognition that half of the world’s population will experience menopause and its associated phases, including perimenopause. The symptoms associated with hormone fluctuations during perimenopause, premenopause, and menopause significantly impact patients’ quality of life, personal goals, and potentially their contributions to society. While many health care providers are trained to support aging populations, fewer receive specific training on managing the phases of menopause and on the role of hormone therapy, complementary therapies, and lifestyle changes in healthy postmenopausal lives (which can encompass over 40% of a patient’s lifetime). Though patient demand for health care across the lifespan is increasing, little has been added to the curricula of health care professionals, including PharmD programs. The Academy seeks to teach topics that impact underrepresented conditions and special populations; however, some institutions may still under-teach menopause-related issues. This commentary reflects on the need to better understand and improve the time, approaches, and priority given to perimenopause and menopause in PharmD curricula.