In April, Menopauserus.com, and the Baby Boomer [Knowledge Center] undertook a major poll to better understand Menopause.
Participants were asked 3 questions about their Menopause experience.
The majority (38% of respondents) reported that:

•Yes, they felt well prepared for Menopause by their female friends/female family members/and their own research.
• Another 38% reported No one prepared them and they had to educate themselves as to what to expect during menopause.
• Only 14% of respondents reported their Physician and/or Ob-GYN prepared them for the Menopause process- a number we find rather alarming and disturbing.

These findings indicate women are NOT receiving information they need from the medical community. The data also indicates Menopause is still a journey made ‘in private’- despite efforts of support networks to educate women and bring menopause ‘out of the shadows’.

When reporting symptomology participants stated:
> Mood swings and emotional/psychological difficulties were the worst for them. (33% reporting)
> Hot flashes/night sweats were the worst. (24% reporting)
> Weight gain was the worst. (19% reporting)

Tied at 26% of respondents reporting, we learned the GENERAL experience of Menopause was split- with some women stating that the overall experience of Menopause was ‘not as bad as expected’ and the same percentage reporting that it was ‘worse than expected’

ZERO percent of respondents reported feeling Menopause was a time of mourning and/or the perceived loss of ‘womanhood’!
Women are changing- and are breaking out of stereotypical beliefs.

Methodology
During the month April 2009 the poll was available to women boomers on Menopauserus.com and the Baby Boomer [Knowledge Center]™, including 7 consecutive days during ‘Boomer Women's Week.’
The poll was also published on: Kalon Communities, Eons and these LinkedIn Groups: LinkedIn Power Women, LOHAS, Women Looking for Work, Facebook Group, Baby Boomer Nexus and eWomen Network.

A total of 2,124 women participated.

Question One:
Has Your Menopause Experience Been As You Expected It Would Be?
* I had no expectations about the process: 32%
* No- it’s been easier than I anticipated: 26%
* No- it’s been worse than I anticipated: 26%
* Yes- it’s been exactly as I anticipated: 13%
* Other: 3%

Question Two:
Do You Feel You Were Adequately Prepared for Your Menopause?
* Yes, I feel I was well prepared by my female friends/my female family members/my own research: 38%
* No, no one prepared me and I had to educate myself: 38%
* Yes, I feel I was well prepared by my MD/ND/Ob GYN: 14%
* No, no one prepared me and I didn’t know where to turn. I had to suffer and endure alone: 10%

Question Three:
For Me, the Worst Part of the Menopause Experience Has Been?
* The mood swings and emotional/psychological difficulties: 33%
* The hot flashes/night sweats: 24%
* The weight gain: 19%
* The loss of fertility/ the perceived loss of ‘womanhood’: 0%
* Other answer: 5%

This national poll was a collaborative initiative of Menopauserus.com and the Baby Boomer [Knowledge Center]™

About Menopauserus.com
Menopauserus.com comprises a team of Menopause Specialists who work together to provide women with FACTUAL menopause-related health and beauty information. ( view link )

About Baby Boomer [Knowledge Center]™
Baby Boomer [Knowledge Center]™ is an information destination where you can explore new frontiers for living in a world that offers daily fresh challenges, choices and opportunities. Our mission is to connect Baby Boomers to high-value content in real time - no matter how specialized or specific - as quickly as possible. ( view link )

Notice:
This poll may be reproduced in its entirety or in part with the appropriate attribution and acknowledgments.
© Copyright, 2009 Menopauserus.com and Baby Boomer [Knowledge Center]™