Let's Talk Menopause

A survey commissioned by Menopace explored the expectations and experiences of the menopause of women from different generations.

Women think Gen Z will find it ‘easier’ to go through the menopause than them – as the subject becomes less of a taboo.

A study of 2,000 women found 63 per cent of those who are currently or have gone through ‘The Change’ think their younger counterparts will have a more positive experience than they have.

And while half of Gen X admitted they went into it ‘blindly’ with little information, 48 per cent of Gen Z already feel they have the knowledge they need to help them face it.

It also emerged 49 per cent of women no longer see the menopause as a taboo subject, with 61 per cent putting this down to TV shows now openly speaking about it.

While 55 per cent said the same of celebrities sharing their own experiences, and 46 per cent feel society is paying more attention to female-focused issues.

Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) put the change in perception down to more scientific research taking place to help everyone understand it.

A spokesperson for Vitabiotics Menopace, which commissioned the research, said: “The taboo around menopause is slowly starting to fade thanks to the many campaigns of awareness and education over the last decade or so.

“This means younger women now feel more comfortable talking about what is to come in the future, helping them feel more prepared than their mums and grandparents might have done.

“There is still a lot more we can all do to support this natural life stage to ensure no woman has to feel they are going into it without the information and help they need again.”

It also emerged Gen Z women are more open about the menopause than older generations, with 61 per cent ‘comfortable’ whenever the subject of ‘The Change’ comes up.

But this drops to just 44 per cent of Boomers – despite them being among the age group most likely to have gone through this stage.

And while 62 per cent of millennials feel happy discussing the menopause at work, just 47 per cent of Boomers feel the same.

More than half of Gen Z (53 per cent) would happily discuss the menopause with their mum – something just 15 per cent of Boomers did.

While eight per cent of younger women, polled via OnePoll, would feel comfortable talking to their dad about the condition, but less than one per cent of their older counterparts did the same.

A spokesperson for Vitabiotics Menopace added: “We’ve come a long way, and these results show younger women particularly are starting to see the benefit of this new, more open approach to the menopause life stage.

“But there are always more things we can do to make sure the menopause is a topic we discuss as openly as other natural experiences like pregnancy and childbirth, giving women all the tools and information they need as they approach it.”

Survey conducted by OnePoll for Menopace, with a sample of 2000 women in the UK. May 2024.