Melinda French Gates revealed that despite her access to top-tier healthcare, it took three doctors to diagnose her perimenopause, which began in her early 40s. The philanthropist shared her experience on Norah O'Donnell's Healthful podcast, emphasizing the challenges women face in receiving proper menopause care.
Diagnosis Delays and Privilege
French Gates, 61, noted that even with her privileged access to healthcare, she struggled to get a timely diagnosis. She credited older friends for warning her about perimenopause symptoms, which helped her recognize the condition. 'It was kind of unbelievable to me that even in this unbelievably privileged situation I'm in, where I feel like I can get some of the best healthcare, it took me three doctors to really diagnose what I was going through,' she said.
Systemic Healthcare Gaps
French Gates highlighted a broader issue in healthcare: only about one-third of OB-GYNs in the U.S. are trained in menopause. A 2022 survey found that just 31.3% of OB-GYN residents reported having a menopause curriculum in their residency programs. Additionally, a study by women's health app Mira revealed that two in five respondents said their symptoms affected their work, and one in 10 considered leaving their jobs due to menopause.
Philanthropic Focus
French Gates discussed her advocacy for women's health, including menopause awareness, in the debut episode of Healthful, which airs Wednesday. The podcast is available on YouTube and various podcast platforms.