Misinformation about perimenopause circulating on social media is endangering women’s health, leading to unintended pregnancies, unnecessary medication, and missed diagnoses, experts have warned. While increased awareness of menopause and treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been beneficial, misleading content is prompting younger women to seek HRT when they actually need contraception.
Dr Paula Briggs, a consultant in sexual and reproductive health, said: “Everyone thinks they’re menopausal. We are seeing younger and younger women asking for HRT when what they need is hormonal contraception, as they’re still fertile.” She noted a rise in women over 35 attending abortion services who mistakenly believed they were menopausal and were shocked to find themselves pregnant.
According to the British Menopause Society (BMS), over 80% of women reach menopause by age 54, but perimenopause—a transition period lasting months or years—involves fluctuating hormone levels and symptoms like irregular periods, hot flushes, and sleep difficulties. Dr Channa Jayasena, an expert at Imperial College London, warned that some women are being mislabelled as perimenopausal when they have other underlying health issues.
Prof Janice Rymer, chair of the BMS, stressed that women with regular periods are not perimenopausal. She cautioned against assuming any symptom in women aged 40–60 is due to menopause, adding that HRT is not suitable for those who do not need it and can cause heavy bleeding. Dr Briggs highlighted a key concern: women stopping contraception because they believe they are no longer fertile, despite fertility declining but not ceasing abruptly.
Experts also pointed to a pushback against hormonal contraception among younger women, even as demand for HRT grows. Dr Zara Haider, president of the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, described misinformation as a significant issue, particularly around fertility. Dr Briggs noted that progestogen-only contraceptives and modern combined pills containing natural oestrogen can be used alongside HRT to manage symptoms while preventing pregnancy.
