If you feel more comfortable typing your menopause symptoms into a Reddit thread than explaining them to your doctor, you’re not alone.

A new survey released by JAMA Network Open revealed women were more likely to discuss emotional and cognitive symptoms in online forums than with healthcare providers.

Why Are Women Turning to Each Other Instead of Doctors?

Dr. Amy Cantor, a Menopause Society certified practitioner and professor at Oregon Health and Science University, said some women may not ask about all their symptoms because they don’t expect providers to listen, or they don’t think cognitive or emotional issues are related to menopause.

“Menopause doesn’t belong to any particular specialty because it’s a multisystem experience that goes well beyond the reproductive system,” Dr. Cantor said.

“There are several important medical conditions that overlap with perimenopause and menopause symptoms, and a trained clinician can spot those differences and order the right tests,” she added.

“Online information and algorithms can bring you a lot of information and misinformation. You don’t want to follow something that isn’t supported with clinical evidence.”

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Dr. Amy Cantor

Beyond confusion about symptoms, many women also feel dismissed. In ThisIsMenopause’s survey, more than 25 percent of women reported being told their symptoms weren’t severe or worrisome, and another 40 percent were told they were just part of aging.

One surveyed woman shared, “I typically get dismissed any time I bring up symptoms of this kind.”

Dr. Cantor noted that this kind of dismissal can lead women to downplay their symptoms or never bring them up at all.

Is Following Menopause Advice on Reddit Safe?

Although Dr. Cantor would prefer women consult their providers, she said forums like Reddit have value. “Women are always looking for a safe space — commonality and community,” Dr. Cantor said.

However, she cautioned women against taking every recommendation as truth: “Online information and algorithms can bring you a lot of information and misinformation. You don’t want to follow something that isn’t supported with clinical evidence. [The internet] is a marketplace, and everyone is selling something.”

She also pointed out that while your symptoms may be the same as someone else online, that doesn’t mean the underlying causes are the same.

“Perimenopause and menopause are very individualized — your puberty journey was different than your neighbors’ or sisters’,” Dr. Cantor said.

When Should You See a Doctor?

You should talk to a medical professional before trying any menopause remedies you see online, including supplements and over-the-counter medications. These may have interactions with other treatments you’re taking or side effects if not taken correctly.

But you don’t have to wait until you’re contemplating the latest menopause fad before you consult your medical team. “Some women just say, ‘I don’t feel like myself.’ That’s a reason enough to seek care,” Dr. Cantor said.

If you feel like your current primary care provider or women’s health provider isn’t listening to you, you can seek out a menopause specialist. A provider with specialized menopause training can help you understand your options for feeling better.