Women want to turn to GPs for menopause info

GPs may be selling themselves short when it comes to their role in helping women in menopause maintain a healthy weight.

A survey by the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health has found women are keen to obtain guidance from GPs about healthy eating and physical activity. 

GPs, however, believe women prefer to get this information from magazines or family and friends.

Jean Hailes psychologist Dr Amanda Deeks (PhD), was surprised at the “disconnect” uncovered in the survey of 264 women aged 40-59 and 33 GPs.

“The health professionals thought their patients wanted information in terms of things like recipes and weight loss tips, or ‘quick fix’ pills,” she said.

“We assumed consumers were bombarded with media messages about healthy eating and didn’t want any more, but they do, and they want it from a credible source... their GPs.”

When seeking information about healthy weight 77% of women go to their GP, the study found. 

Fewer than half (45%) of GPs, however, said women came to them for such information.

Sixty per cent of GPs thought women wanted information on alternatives to diets but only 39% of women actually wanted this.

Dr Deeks presented the study as a poster at the 14th Australasian Menopause Society Congress in Sydney last month. 

Nearly all women took at least some responsibility for disease prevention, the survey found, with 60% believing responsibility was theirs alone and 39% believing it was shared with their health practitioner.