Melinda French Gates says perimenopause diagnosis took three doctors
French Gates told Norah O'Donnell's Healthful podcast that even with top care, she struggled to get answers for perimenopause in her early 40s.
By Sal Moretti · Money Reporter
2 min read
Melinda French Gates says she needed visits with three doctors before she got a perimenopause diagnosis and treatment, despite what she described as access to top medical care.
French Gates discussed the experience with Norah O'Donnell on the debut episode of O'Donnell's new podcast, Healthful, which launches Wednesday, according to CBS News.
She said her symptoms began in her early 40s, a few years after the birth of her youngest child. The timing caught her off guard, she told O'Donnell, even though she had heard older friends talk about what to watch for during weekly walks.
French Gates said the drawn-out path to care surprised her because of the resources available to her. According to CBS News, she said it took three physicians to identify what she was going through and to find the right treatment for that stage.
She did not blame the doctors, according to the podcast interview. French Gates tied her experience to a broader gap in medical training, saying she has since learned that only about one-third of OB-GYNs in the U.S. are trained in menopause.
A training gap gets the spotlight
CBS News cited a 2022 survey that found 31.3% of OB-GYN residents said their residency program included a menopause curriculum. That figure lines up with the concern French Gates raised: many patients may expect specialist care, while many clinicians may not have had formal training focused on menopause.
Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause. CBS News linked French Gates' comments to its broader coverage explaining the phase and the symptoms that can come with it.
The issue reaches beyond the exam room. A study commissioned by women's health app Mira found that two in five respondents said menopause symptoms affected their work. The same study found that one in 10 respondents had either left a job or were considering leaving because of those symptoms.
French Gates also spoke on Healthful about her philanthropic focus on women's health, according to CBS News. The debut episode is scheduled to air Wednesday and will be available on the Healthful YouTube channel and podcast platforms.
The appearance adds a high-profile voice to a health issue many patients say remains hard to discuss and harder to treat. French Gates' account, as described by CBS News, centers on a blunt point: even a well-connected patient can struggle to get clear answers during perimenopause.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.