The MATE survey: men's perceptions and attitudes towards menopause and their role in partners' menopausal transition

Abstract

Objective: The perceptions and attitudes of menopause shared by men are largely unknown. This analysis characterized men's awareness and their understanding of their partner's menopausal transition.

Methods: A 35-question, online survey was used to assess men's perceptions and attitudes toward menopause. Men were recruited from an online research marketplace and were eligible to participate if their female partners (45-64 years old) experienced ≥1 of the following symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats, sleepless nights, difficulty sleeping, low libido, mood swings, pain during sex, or vaginal dryness. Couples either lived together full time, or, if living separately, resided together regularly two or more times a week.

Results: Of the 1,356 surveys sent to eligible men, 450 (33%) were completed. Most men were between 50 and 69 years (80%), married and not separated (90%), and lived with their partner full time (97%). Men were aware of the symptoms regularly experienced by their partner, with difficulty sleeping (54%) and lack of energy (49%) being frequently identified; these symptoms were attributed to menopause (26%) and/or aging (22%). Of those who were affected by symptoms (63%), most men reported they negatively impacted them (77%), their partners (70%), and relationships (56%). Men engaged in discussions with their partners regarding menopausal symptoms (72%) and believed they were somewhat/very influential (75%) in their partner's decision to seek treatment or make lifestyle adjustments.

Conclusions: Overall, men are aware of their partner's menopausal transition and may influence decisions relating to symptom management. Educational interventions would further benefit men's awareness of menopause and available treatment options.Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A424.

FIG. 1

Men's knowledge of menopausal symptoms. (A) Men chose from a list and were asked what symptoms are regularly experienced by your partner; (B) men answered the open-ended question: what do you think women typically experienced when going through menopause; multiple responses were allowed for both questions (N = 450).

FIG. 2

Men's knowledge of menopausal treatment options. Men answered the open-ended question: what types of treatment options are you aware of (n = 209).

FIG. 3

Men's knowledge of partner's actions to alleviate symptoms. Men answered the open-ended question: what types of action is your partner doing to alleviate her symptoms (n = 126). A/C, air conditioning; OTC, over the counter.