Arab Health Systems Need Better Menopause Care and Training

In the Arab world, menopause is still commonly called sin al-ya's, which translates as the age of despair. This term treats the end of menstruation as something to endure quietly instead of discussing openly. Menopause research remains underfunded globally, and care varies widely. In the Arab region, this issue is made worse by gaps in doctor training and the common belief that menopause is a private transition needing no medical help. Things are slowly changing as social media helps make discussions less taboo and specialist services start to emerge. Health systems must now use this growing awareness to improve training, communication, and care. While some Muslim people value fasting and prayer without period interruptions, poorly managed menopausal symptoms can hurt health, careers, and ambitions. Efforts to improve care face limits due to a thin evidence base. For example, hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, can relieve symptoms, but fears linked to a misinterpreted 2002 report created barriers to its use. A 2026 review of 22 Arab countries found only 15 studies on HRT use from seven countries. Cultural and religious beliefs also shape concerns, with people asking why they should change what is natural. A survey of 254 physicians across the Middle East and Africa found that fewer than 30 percent correctly identified the diagnostic criteria for menopause. When trusted clinical guidance is hard to find, social media and commercial wellness providers fill the gap, sometimes pushing unnecessary hormone tests and supplements.

Context

Medical treatment and research often overlook women's health issues, leaving patients to rely on social media where misinformation can spread easily. Better medical training and local research are necessary to ensure patients receive proper guidance rather than unverified commercial advice.