JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Menopause is a significant time in a woman’s life but only recently has there been open discussion about it in the media, workplaces, and in general society. With increasing frequency, women are choosing to use the internet to research topics related to the menopause. This makes it essential that online sources can provide safe, high-quality, and relevant information.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the current state of the online information landscape about the menopause from the perspective of information-seekers, exploring: (1) information-seeking behavior related to the perimenopause and menopause, and (2) perceptions of online resources for the menopause.

Methods:

A 10-15 minute online survey was conducted asking about the experience of the menopause and their use, and opinion of online resources specifically for the menopause. The survey was distributed via social media, email, and word-of-mouth. Quantitative data was explored using means and frequencies. Group differences between menopausal groups were analyzed using Chi-squared, Fisher’s Exact, or Kruskall-Wallis test as appropriate. Qualitative data was analyzed using data-driven thematic analysis.

Results:

Data from 627 participants were included in the analysis (early perimenopause: 27.27%, n=171/627; late perimenopause: 19.94%, n=125/627; post-menopause: 41.79%, n=262/627; surgical menopause: 11.00%, n=69/627). The majority of respondents had used the internet as a source of information (92.66%, n=581/627), with the internet being the first choice of information source 84.17% (n=489/627). The most commonly searched for information online was about menopause symptoms (82.44%, n=479/581), menopause treatment options (76.08%, n=442), and self-help tips or strategies (54.73%, n=318/581). The majority of participants trusted online information to some extent (98.09%, n=615/627), with a slightly lower proportion considering online information accurate to some extent (88.52%, n=555/627). The majority of participants found some but not all of the information they were looking for online (65.23%, n=379/581). Thematic analysis revealed 10 themes related to information quality and accessibility and sought after information (eg, symptom specifics, treatment, and non-formal management strategies). Analysis also indicated that information is lacking for several groups including those in medically induced or surgical menopause.

Conclusions:

The study showed that online informational resources are widely accessed and widely perceived as useful and trustworthy. Despite this, it is crucial that the quality of online information is evaluated especially considering the large number of users who rely on it as their first or only informational source. Online searches were usually performed to find information related to symptoms, treatment, and self-help recommendations. Thematic analysis reveals gaps in the provision of online information with certain groups such as those in the surgical menopause lacking easy access to relevant information.