Menopause: myth or fact?

Menopause in the Philippines is still wrapped in hand-me-down beliefs, and many women grow up being told to be matiisin and not complain. A quick quiz is an easy way to check what you think you know, and an easy link to send to Mama or a friend without a lecture. Every answer cites a guideline or study, so you can read further.

Here are some of the statements in the quiz, with the short answers.

1. "HRT causes cancer in everyone who takes it." Myth. The Menopause Society 2022 says breast cancer risk does not increase appreciably with short-term estrogen plus progestogen, and estrogen alone may lower it (NAMS 2022). See HRT and cancer.
2. "Hot flashes are just the Philippine heat." Myth. hot flashes start inside the body, which is why they hit in air-conditioned rooms. They were the most common symptom (48.1%) in a 2012 Filipino community sample (Matsuo 2012).
3. "You can't get pregnant in perimenopause." Myth. Pregnancy is still possible, and 12 months without a period is not the end of it. UK guidance says to keep using contraception until 2 years after your last period if you are under 50, or 1 year if you are 50 or over (NHS). See birthcontrolphilippines.com for options.
4. "Menopause starts at 50 for everyone." Myth. Timing varies. Menopause before 45 is early, and before 40 is called POI.
5. "Menopause is confirmed after 12 months without a period." Fact. (UP Manila)
6. "Any bleeding after menopause should be checked, even if light." Fact. Read bleeding after menopause.
7. "Women over 45 always need a blood test to diagnose menopause." Myth. NICE NG23 advises diagnosing without lab tests in otherwise healthy women over 45 with typical symptoms (NICE QS143).
8. "Compounded 'bioidentical' hormones are the safer choice." Myth. The Menopause Society 2022 and ACOG (2023) do not recommend compounded hormones when an approved product exists (ACOG). Registered estradiol gel and micronized progesterone are already bioidentical.
9. "Soy and herbal supplements are recommended for hot flashes." Myth. The Menopause Society 2023 nonhormone statement did not recommend them (Contemporary OB/GYN).
10. "HRT is the most effective treatment for hot flashes." Fact. (NAMS 2022)
11. "Vaginal estrogen can be used long term, even alongside HRT." Fact. NAMS 2022 and NICE 2024 both support long-term use as needed (NICE summary).
12. "Talking therapy can't do anything for hot flashes." Myth. NICE 2024 found CBT can reduce hot flushes, night sweats and sleep problems.

The live quiz may shuffle the order and swap in new statements over time.

You get one point per correct answer, out of 12. The score card shows your total and the two statements most people get wrong. It is a bit of fun and a conversation starter, not a test of your health. A low score just means you have found some myths worth leaving behind.

The share card works on Viber, Messenger and WhatsApp and contains only your score, never your individual answers. Health blogs, schools and HR teams can embed the quiz for free from our embed page. Nothing you tap is stored on our server or in analytics.