MAB ReviewedMedication Tracking in Menopause: Why It Matters and How to Do It Right
Up to half of patients don’t take medications as directed, and for women in menopause, this can worsen symptoms. Tracking prescriptions, supplements, and remedies helps improve consistency, reduce risks, and support better care.
Written by Simona Byler
Reviewed by Dr. Ariel Haddad
Founder, Helia Health
The menopause transition can be a hectic time of life: taking care of loved ones, furthering your career, prioritizing your health, getting enough rest… the to-do list goes on. Remembering to take your medications on time and as directed can slip through the cracks.
An estimated 20-50% of patients don’t take their medications correctly, but not because they’re not trying! The most common reason why people fail to take their meds is plain old forgetfulness .
With that in mind, let’s discuss the details and benefits of medication tracking during the menopause transition.
Managing menopause symptoms
The menopause transition can bring on a wide variety of symptoms that impact your daily life and leave you searching for relief.
Some symptoms improve over time, including hot flashes, night sweats, and brain fog . Others affect your system more permanently and may require long-term treatment and management: these may include vaginal dryness, bladder symptoms, and decreasing bone density .
There are plenty of treatment options, including over-the-counter and prescription medications, that can help you deal with compounding menopause symptoms. Tracking your medications can help you take them as directed and monitor how your symptoms respond. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, taking your meds correctly helps them treat your symptoms more effectively.
Managing your medications
Menopause symptoms can change over time, and so can your overall health.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe you different medications, discontinue certain medications, or adjust your doses as you move through peri- and postmenopause. Tracking your medication helps you stay organized during these changes, keeping your healthcare operating smoothly.
Depending on the severity of your menopause symptoms and your prior health conditions, you may be prescribed several medications at once, which can increase your risk of adverse medical outcomes if not monitored properly .
Medication tracking is especially important if you’re taking multiple medications concurrently. Not sure if something is “track-worthy” or not? Go ahead and track it anyway! Your healthcare provider can help you decide what data is most important to continue monitoring in the future.
Things to track include:
Prescription meds: Hormone therapy, antidepressants, birth control pills, chronic illness medications, etc.
Over-the-counter meds: Painkillers, vaginal moisturizers, anti-inflammatories, etc.
Vitamins and supplements: Vitamin E, vitamin D, creatine, CBD, etc.
Alcohol, tobacco, and substance use: These are important to include, as some may impact the safety and efficacy of certain medications.
Why is medication tracking important?
Tracking your medication during peri- and postmenopause is important for two primary reasons:
Medication adherence: Tracking helps remind you to take your meds and ensure you’re taking them correctly, which increases medication effectiveness.
Managing polypharmacy: Tracking can help you avoid the adverse effects of polypharmacy, which may occur if you’re taking 5+ medications at the same time .
Let’s discuss the details of both.
Medication adherence
Have you ever missed a medication dose, accidentally taken an extra, or quit taking your meds altogether? You’re, of course, not the only one. The World Health Organization has called medication non-adherence a global problem, as it can reduce drug effectiveness and even lead to hospitalization .
Here’s where wearable health trackers and mobile apps can help. A 2025 meta-analysis looked at 29 studies with over 2,600 participants and found that :
Those who used a medication tracking app were 2.3 times more likely to stick with their meds than those who didn’t track with an app.
Wearable health trackers have dramatically changed how we monitor patient behavior and health outcomes, which promotes better disease management.
Tracking your medication with a mobile app such as Amissa’s can help you take your meds consistently and correctly over time . Medication adherence will benefit your health in the long run, as it allows you and your provider to figure out which medications are helping your symptoms, and which ones aren’t .
Polypharmacy
Polypharmacy occurs when someone is taking five or more medications at once. It’s common in older adults and those with complex medical conditions .
The potential interactions between this number of medications may increase your risk of adverse drug effects . It can also make it more difficult to take your medications correctly .
During peri- and postmenopause, you may be taking multiple medications, supplements, and OTC drugs to help you manage your symptoms. Tracking everything—and we mean everything!—you’re taking and sharing it with your doctor can help you manage and avoid polypharmacy.
After reviewing your medication tracking data, your health care provider can determine if :
Your medications are prescribed appropriately
There are medications you no longer need
You’re taking the dosages you need
Your medication schedule needs adjusting
Monitoring your medication allows your doctor to deprescribe when necessary, saving you money and reducing your risk of adverse events . Tracking all your medications in a simple list is essential, especially if you see multiple doctors or if you change providers during treatment.
Sharing your medication tracking with your doctor
While medication tracking is a beneficial tool for you personally, it can be even more powerful when shared with your healthcare provider.
For many people, speaking with a doctor can bring on feelings of self-doubt, frustration, or anxiety. Tracking can open a line of communication between you and your doctor. It gives you a wealth of information to share with them, which you can use as a jumping-off point to more personal health-related discussions.
We’re glad to say this isn’t just our opinion: A 2023 systematic review of 29 studies found that sharing health data fostered positive relationships between patients and doctors, leading to improved health outcomes and better disease management .
Talking with your provider about your medication
During the menopause transition, it’s key to maintain open and honest communication with your healthcare provider. Discussing your medication details—what you’re taking, when, and how it’s working—can help ensure you’re receiving the care you need.
Consider the following conversation starters at your next appointment:
I know that taking my meds as directed is crucial to managing my symptoms, so I’d like to share my medication tracking details with you. This will help hold me accountable, and I’d like to double-check that I’m taking everything correctly. Does that sound good to you?
I’ve been taking my medications consistently for the last several months, but my symptoms are still really bothering me. Can I share my medication tracking data with you to make sure I’m taking everything correctly, or see if there’s something I’m missing?
A new menopause supplement caught my eye, and I started taking it to see if it would bring me added relief. I’m tracking all of my medications and supplements, and would like to get your opinion on what I’m taking.
DISCLAIMER
This article is intended for educational purposes only, using publicly available information. It is not medical advice, and it should not be used for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease. Please consult your licensed medical provider regarding health questions or concerns.
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