Variations in Menopausal Symptom Experiences: A Comparison of Online Discussions and Clinical Observations

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Menopausal symptoms impact women's physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being, yet clinical data may not fully capture patient-reported experiences.
2

This study analyzed menopause symptoms from 577 online posts and 646 EHR clinical notes to compare patient experiences and clinical documentation.
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Cognitive impairment, emotional well-being, and weight change were more frequently discussed in online forums than in EHR clinical notes.
4

EHR notes documented vasomotor symptoms and treatments more than online posts, highlighting a gap in symptom capture between the two sources.
5

Online forums can reveal symptoms that patients may not disclose in clinical settings due to social desirability bias or stigma.

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