Menopause in General Practice
Why do women in Denmark visit their general practitioner for menopause-related concerns, and how do they experience these consultations?
This project explores women’s reflections, feelings, needs and actions when seeking medical support for menopause.
It seeks to understand what works well in consultations and what could be improved to better support women during this stage of life.
Although public awareness of menopause is increasing, there remains a significant lack of research-based insight into how this life phase is addressed within Danish general practice.
This project investigates how menopause is perceived, discussed and managed within general practice in Denmark. It examines the role of the healthcare system in supporting women during this life stage and aims to identify ways to enhance consultation practices to be more attuned to women’s experiences and needs.
The project is led by Associate Professor Maria Hybholt and Post Doc Emilie Mølholm Kjærulff from the Section of Social Medicine at the Department of Public Health, in collaboration with Associate Professor Ann Dorrit Guassora from section of General Practice.
In recent years, menopause has become a more openly discussed topic in the media and public conversations.
Many of these discussions focus on common symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep problems, and how they affect women’s daily lives.
There has also been renewed attention on treatment options, particularly hormone therapy, which may be encouraging more women to speak with their general practitioner about managing symptoms.
At the same time, this growing awareness around menopause may also raise expectations for clear guidance and support during consultations, placing new demands on general practice and other healthcare services.
The project employs a qualitative design based on semi-structured interviews with women aged 45–55 who have recently consulted their general practitioner about menopause-related issues.
Participants are recruited from across Denmark to help capture a range of perspectives that may reflect geographical differences in healthcare access and experiences.
The findings from the project will be shared through both academic and non-academic publications, as well as via other relevant media channels.
All publications will be made available on this website to ensure access for those interested in our research outcomes.
Researchers
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Dorrit Guassora | Associate Professor | +4535327157 | |
| Emilie Mølholm Kjærulff | Postdoc | ||
| Maria Hybholt | Associate Professor | +4535320840 |
Funded by
The Sagitta Foundation
Project period: 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026