Menopause on the Web
Introduction When the first Internet cable was laid thirty years ago, those present would not likely have envisioned its impact on our lives, let alone that the Net would be used by women seeking information about menopause. Originally the domain of the military and academic communities, global expansion of Internet technology and of personal computers has transformed how health providers and consumers communicate, access, share and exchange health information. Women wishing to exercise more control over health care decisions are looking closely at the Net as a source of current, authoritative information. Use of the technology by mid life women is expected to expand in the coming decades as growing numbers of women face decisions related to lifestyle, self-care, and treatment for specific illnesses. As a health librarian, I regularly search the Internet on a wide range of concerns such as: what is known about new drug treatments for Alzheimer’s