Menopause: Still a taboo subject?
Author Gill Shaffer Last updated 28th May 2020
- Science & Research
With half the population going to go through the menopause, we wanted to find out how easy it was for women to discuss their symptoms with their loved ones.
Our research showed that despite having a huge impact on their lives daily, shockingly a third of women feel unable to talk to their partners about dealing with their symptoms at all and would be more likely to discuss the menopause with their friends or their doctor.
A significant 61 per cent of women say the symptoms of their hormonal changes have a massive effect on their lives and those around them.
Fascinatingly the statistics show that men want women to share their problems and are willing to be supportive, but often feel shut out.
Research methodology
An online survey was conducted by Atomik Research among 1,500 female and 500 male respondents who were going through, or partners were going through the menopause from the UK. The research fieldwork took place on 3rd April – 8th April 2020.
Below are some of the key findings from the survey which we hope you’ll find particularly interesting.
Female respondents asked
I feel the menopause is a taboo subject which no one wants to talk about.
|
Response |
Percent |
|
Strongly agree |
11% |
|
Slightly agree |
33% |
|
Neither / nor |
21% |
|
Slightly disagree |
18% |
|
Strongly disagree |
13% |
|
Don’t know |
4% |
How frequently have symptoms such as hot flushes affected your life since starting the symptoms of the menopause?
|
Response |
Percent |
|
Constantly |
11% |
|
At night |
19% |
|
During the day |
6% |
|
Every day |
7% |
|
Several times a week |
17% |
Have you ever felt uncomfortable by having a hot flush when: in the following situations?
|
Response |
Percent |
|
At work |
21% |
|
At a social event |
23% |
|
With partner |
12% |
|
Amongst friends or family |
21% |
|
At night |
31% |
Do you feel you can openly discuss the menopause with your partner?
|
Response |
Percent |
|
Yes, all the time |
34% |
|
Yes, some of the time |
31% |
|
Not really, occasionally |
13% |
|
Rarely |
5% |
|
Never |
17% |
Partners asked
I wish my partner would confide in me more about their menopause
|
Response |
Percent |
|
Strongly agree |
25% |
|
Slightly agree |
32% |
|
Neither / nor |
29% |
|
Slightly disagree |
6% |
|
Strongly disagree |
6% |
Has your partner’s symptoms affected her mood for better or worse?
|
Response |
Percent |
|
For the better |
13% |
|
About the same |
43% |
|
For the worse |
43% |