Essential
- The menopause affects millions of women but remains poorly known and poorly taken care of in France.
- A study launched by Foch hospital wants to better understand its French symptoms and specificities.
- A parliamentary report submitted in April also calls for a public health priority.
The menopause affects nearly 14 million women in France, with around 500,000 news concerned each year. Yet, “We have few scientific data on menopause, and even less on French women”regrets Professor Jean-Marc Ayoub, doctor at Foch hospital in Suresnes (Hauts-de-Seine), quoted by Radio France. An unprecedented study, open to women from 30 years old, finally wants to fill this void.
Draw the profile of the French menopausal
The objective of this research, launched by doctors of the Foch hospital and accessible via the climatere.fr site, is to better understand the thirty symptoms which can occur at the time of menopause: hot flashes, insomnia, joint pain, vaginal dryness … but also to assess associated risks such as osteoporosis, certain cancers of the breast or cardiovascular diseases.
Volunteer women are invited to fulfill questionnaires on their physical, mental health, food and, for those already concerned, their professional experience. This will also make it possible to draw up the profile of the French woman Ménopausée.
Long ignored by hexagonal research, menopause is still discussed in France on the basis of recommendations dating from the 1970s. “Often scientists rely on international studies. But we cannot transpose everything”insists Professor Ayoub. It highlights the possible French specificities, linked to our environment, our vaccines, our health and prevention system.
Public health priority?
According to the Elisa study, 87 % of women feel at least one symptom of menopause, the most common being hot flashes and night sweats, which last an average of 7.5 years. For 20 to 25 % of them, the disorders are severe: “More than a quarter of women have a major symptomatology, complaining of an impairment of the quality of life listed from 8 to 10 out of 10”says gynecologist Brigitte Letombe with Why doctor.
Despite its magnitude, menopause remains poorly managed. A parliamentary report submitted last April wants to change the situation. He declines 25 proposals for “Guarantee suitable care”, today rendered “Impossible due to social and territorial inequalities”. For the deputy at the origin of the report, Stéphanie Rist, these measures are “Pragmatic, encrypted, applicable” within two years. His message is clear: it is time to make menopause a real public health priority.
