Menopause is a major health milestone, but new research suggests it is frequently missing from women’s electronic health records. Researchers examining the medical records of nearly 240,000 women found that only 12% contained a mention of menopause, even though more than half of the participants separately reported experiencing the transition.
The study used data from the US National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program, which collects health information from a large and diverse population. Researchers compared participants’ survey responses with information documented in their electronic health records to identify gaps in menopause reporting.
Information about the age at which menopause occurred and symptoms such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances was also frequently absent. This limits researchers’ ability to study how menopause varies between individuals and how its timing and symptoms may relate to longer-term health outcomes.
Menopause can occur at different ages and affect people differently. Some experience significant symptoms, while others report few or none. Researchers said better documentation could help studies examine links between menopause and areas such as heart health, bone health and mental health, as well as differences linked to socioeconomic and healthcare factors.
The researchers are exploring ways to improve data collection, including a short questionnaire that could be completed during medical appointments. They are also studying whether existing health records and genetic information can help identify menopause-related details.
The findings highlight the importance of recording menopause status and symptoms as part of routine healthcare data, particularly as researchers seek to better understand women’s health during midlife.

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