Menopause: Still a taboo subject?

Menopause lady

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.

Menopause taboo infographic

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%