Why TikTok is becoming Gen Z’s surprising menopause classroom

NEW YORK — Despite spending more than 30% of their lives in a menopausal state, American women face a startling information deficit when it comes to understanding this crucial phase of life. A recent survey reveals that 60% of women are entirely self-taught about menopause, highlighting a significant gap in healthcare education and support.

The comprehensive study of 2,000 American women, conducted by Talker Research for Doctor’s Best, uncovered a concerning disparity in women’s health education. While pregnancy resources abound, three-quarters of women (74%) report that information about perimenopause and menopause is comparatively scarce.

“It’s apparent from the survey results that women need and want more information and support on what to expect after the key reproductive years,” says Katie Lucas, VP of Marketing for Doctor’s Best, in a statement.

The research reveals a stark contrast in women’s knowledge when it comes to their health: participants were three times more likely to lack understanding about perimenopause (21%) compared to pregnancy (7%). Perhaps most concerning is that only 25% of women felt their healthcare providers had adequately informed them about perimenopause, while just 34% felt well-informed about menopause.

Surprisingly, younger generations appear more attuned to certain aspects of menopause education. Gen Z showed greater awareness of perimenopause’s early onset (14%) compared to millennials (5%), Gen X (3%), baby boomers (3%), and the Silent Generation (4%). This heightened awareness might be attributed to their information sources – nearly one in four Gen Z women (20%) obtain health insights from social media, particularly TikTok.

The study exposed additional knowledge gaps across generations: while 82% of women can define menopause, only 52% can accurately define perimenopause – even though 71% are experiencing or have experienced it. Gen X emerged as the generation most confident in their perimenopause knowledge. When it comes to recognizing symptoms, women most readily identified irregular periods (63%), mood changes (62%), and hot flashes (61%) as signs of perimenopause. However, they were less likely to associate the condition with breast tenderness (28%), dry skin (26%), or difficulty concentrating (24%).

The survey indicates a clear desire for change, with 74% of respondents expressing interest in learning more about menopause. Only 29% feel women’s health receives adequate media coverage, suggesting a need for more comprehensive public discourse on these issues. Many women are seeking information about natural remedies and lifestyle changes to manage perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms, indicating a growing interest in holistic approaches to women’s health.

“It’s encouraging to see that younger generations are becoming increasingly proactive and interested in gaining awareness around perimenopause and menopause,” adds Gale Bensussen, CEO of Doctor’s Best. “We need to equip every generation with resources to help them navigate these important life transitions.”