Menopause Misinformation Is Everywhere. Here’s How to Detect It

Menopause is having a moment. As an ob-gyn, I’m happy that more people are having more conversations about this phase of life.

But some people try to exploit the opportunity. Today, many books, videos, websites, social media accounts, and ads about menopause are from self-proclaimed experts, not evidence-based sources. Unfortunately, bad actors can spread incorrect information, confuse people, and even cause harm.

That’s why I want to empower women to think critically before they follow advice or open their wallets, especially when it comes to menopause and hormone therapy.

Here are my six go-to rules for evaluating menopause and perimenopause information online—and sorting truth from nonsense. As you read, keep this in mind: Be skeptical of any over-the-top promises or quick fixes. All health treatments come with benefits and risks, and there are no guarantees. Look for balanced recommendations.

Rule #1: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

The menopause transition is often unfairly described as a dreaded event, something women should want to fix right away. If you’re over 40, you may hear that hormones are the cure for anything that ails you.

Prescription hormone therapy (with estrogen plus progestin or estrogen alone) can improve menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, and it may help with mood changes and poor sleep. But it isn’t the answer to everything, and it isn’t right for everyone. Talk with your ob-gyn about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy for your unique symptoms.

Rule #2: See who’s selling the product.

It’s easy to be persuaded by charismatic influencers, glowing testimonials, and cute product packaging. The more controversial and passionate a message is, the more “viral” it becomes.

Take a moment to learn more about who’s posting information or selling a product. Do they have a medical degree (MD or DO)? Head to their state medical board website to confirm whether they are licensed and in good standing. While an MD or DO and a license alone aren’t enough, it’s a start. Look at their research and where they practice medicine. All this public information can paint a picture of whether the person is qualified to give medical advice.

Next, are they selling a treatment with their name on it? When a doctor has a financial interest in a health product, it could be a conflict of interest. Their position as a doctor could influence people to buy a product that may or may not be good for them. Be skeptical, especially if a doctor charges a lot of money for the product.

Finally, consider their tone. Do they claim to know better than everyone else? Do they tell you to ignore all other sources of information, including your ob-gyn? That’s a red flag that what they say may be based on opinion, not fact.

Rule #3: Watch out for marketing buzzwords.

Advertisers are good at bending the truth or hiding information to make a product sound more appealing. Here are a few phrases I’ve noticed in the menopause world:

• Hormone balance or imbalance—Your body balances your hormones for you, even as they fluctuate during the menopause transition. You don’t need pills or patches to help with this.

• Doctor-approved or expert-recommended—This label is potentially meaningless when anyone can call themselves an expert. See Rule #2 above.

• Clinically tested—This is not the same as “clinically proven.” Track down the research results to see what they tell you. More on this in Rule #4.

• Nature or natural—Many over-the-counter products are described this way. But using “natural” ingredients doesn’t always mean a product is safe.

Rule #4: Dig into the research.

So the product is clinically tested—but what does that even mean? You don’t need to be a scientist to tell good research from bad. Ask a few critical questions: Was the treatment tested on humans? Was it a randomized controlled trial? Was there a placebo group? If the answers are all “yes,” it could be a reliable study.

When evaluating studies, look for how many participants there were and whether the study was confirmed by others. For most menopausal symptoms, at least 100 participants should be studied. And no single study should be the basis for a broad treatment recommendation.

You can also lean on clinical guidelines. Women’s health organizations like ACOG have agreed on recommendations for many topics, including hormone therapy in menopause. This means a team of ob-gyns has carefully reviewed the research studies, discussed the evidence, and agreed on the best recommendations based on the available information. You can put your faith in clinical guidelines because doctors have researched the topic for you.

There’s also great value in having a team of doctors develop recommendations. It means there is more than one expert weighing in, which protects against a strongly held opinion that isn’t backed by fact.

Rule #5: Remember dietary supplements are unregulated.

Many menopause treatments are sold as dietary supplements. But if you think all supplements come in the form of a pill, think again. Supplements can also be liquids, creams, or powders—anything containing a vitamin, mineral, herb, hormone, or other ingredient that claims to boost your health.

All forms of dietary supplements are understudied, so we don’t know how well they work or how safe they are. Over-the-counter dietary supplements can also affect other medications you take or other medical conditions you have.

Supplements are also held to no purity or quality standards—so you don’t know what active ingredient you’re getting or how much of it. Some unregulated products can contain dangerous levels of estrogen, progesterone, or even testosterone. I once had a patient who thought she was taking a low dose of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for vaginal dryness. But when we tested her blood for DHEA, her levels were sky-high. The “low dose” was much higher than claimed.

For these reasons, talk with your ob-gyn before taking dietary supplements to treat your menopausal symptoms.

Rule #6: Steer clear of compounded hormones.

Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are chemically the same as hormones produced by the body. They are usually made from plants. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some bioidentical hormones in prescription form.

Compounded bioidentical hormones are another story. These hormone treatments are custom-made by special pharmacies using a doctor’s prescription. Compounded medications are not approved or regulated by the FDA, so there’s no way to guarantee that you’re getting the right amount of a hormone.

ACOG and the National Academy of Medicine recommend avoiding compounded bioidentical hormones to treat symptoms of menopause. Instead, talk with your ob-gyn about prescription bioidentical options or traditional hormone therapy.

Finding the answers you need

It’s normal to have questions about menopause and to search for answers. Follow these rules, then head to an ob-gyn who knows you, your medical history, and the science. They can help you choose among the many safe, effective menopause treatments, including hormone therapy.

You can also look for an ob-gyn or health care professional who has extra training in menopause care. These are professionals who have passed exams developed by The Menopause Society (previously known as the North American Menopause Society). Professionals with this certification use the letters MSCP after their names, which stands for The Menopause Society Certified Practitioner.

As an ob-gyn, my job is to connect people with symptoms to the right treatment. The last thing I want is for you to waste your time and money on products that don’t work or could even harm your health—especially when so many menopause treatments are proven to help.

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This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women's health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Read ACOG’s complete disclaimer.