This narrative review explores menopause in Saudi primary healthcare settings. It focuses on Saudi women and their unique experiences during this life stage. The authors found that cultural and Islamic values strongly shape women's perceptions, coping strategies, and health-seeking behavior. Many women experience mood changes, anxiety, and altered self-perception during this time. Family and marital dynamics also play a critical role in how women adjust to these changes.
Traditional remedies remain widely used, often preferred over hormone replacement therapy. This preference is influenced by the cultural context. However, barriers to care exist. These include limited provider training, gender dynamics that influence consultation comfort, lack of privacy, and the absence of national menopause management guidelines. Intimate and urogenital concerns remain underreported due to cultural norms.
The study highlights that the Saudi context remains underexplored. Primary healthcare services face documented gaps in training, readiness, and communication. Developing national guidelines and community-based education initiatives is essential to enhance patient-centered, culturally congruent menopausal care in Saudi Arabia. Readers should note this is a narrative review, not a primary trial.
