The Big Picture
The conversation about menopause is changing. More women are speaking openly about symptoms that have long been dismissed as “just part of aging”—and asking for better answers and care.
At University of Utah Health, Lisa Taylor-Swanson, PhD, LAc, an assistant professor in the College of Nursing and co-developer of MENOGAP, is helping close the gap between what women experience and the support they receive. Her message is straightforward: Menopause is a natural transition, but suffering through it without help shouldn’t be the expectation.
What’s Happening
Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. But the transition leading up to it, called perimenopause, can begin years earlier and bring symptoms women may not recognize: disrupted sleep, brain fog, hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, and changes in bleeding.
“Women are in a terrible bind because most of us don’t know what’s going on,” Taylor-Swanson says. Women may not know whether their symptoms are related to menopause, when they will start, or how long they will last. Providers, too, may miss the connection between menopause and symptoms beyond hot flashes, including new or worsening physical pain.
Taylor-Swanson helped develop MENOGAP to address those gaps. The four-week group medical visit program combines conventional medicine with integrative approaches, including acupuncture, and includes a follow-up check-in three months later. She co-leads weekly sessions with a prescribing provider, giving participants education, practical symptom-management strategies, and space to discuss their experiences.
Community input has also helped shape tailored programs: Mujeres en Menopausia, developed with Latina community health workers, a linguist, and a nurse practitioner; and Waning Moon, developed with American Indian and Alaska Native women.
Why It Matters
Menopause symptoms can affect sleep, mood, memory, and everyday quality of life. Yet silence and stigma can leave women feeling isolated—and unaware that effective treatments exist. In a study cited by Taylor-Swanson, more than 80% of women with menopause symptoms did not seek medical care, with many reporting they didn’t know treatment was available.
The group approach offers something beyond information: connection. Hearing another woman describe the same sleepless nights or sense of not feeling like herself can help participants feel understood rather than alone.
Pilot data from MENOGAP show improvements in menopause symptom scores and participants’ confidence in managing their health. Women also reported feeling more informed and supported. As one participant put it, “This is the best health care I’ve ever received in my life.”
The Bottom Line
Menopause care should address the whole person—not just hormone changes. Evidence-based treatment, better education, and community support can help women manage symptoms and move through this stage of life with greater confidence.
Taylor-Swanson encourages women to trust their experiences: If something feels off, seek care, ask questions, and keep looking for a provider who listens. A more open conversation about menopause is an important start. Making sure women feel heard and supported is what turns that conversation into better care.