New Research findings reveal link between Menopause Severity and Lifestyle Factors

• Aparna Sreevalsan
• 25 May, 2022

A NATIONWIDE study ‘Redefining Menopause’ has discovered the diverse experiences of women on their menopause journey.

The UK survey was a collaboration between Over The Bloody Moon (Menopause training and support provider) and Kantar (Research insights agency).

A total of 1000 perimenopause (describes the time when a person experiences a consecutive 12 months without getting a period) to post-menopausal (describes the years of a woman’s life after menopause occurs ) women, aged between 30 and 65, became part of the study.

It found that no single person experiences menopause in the same way and it can vary dramatically depending on many factors like demographics and personal situations.

Lesley Salem, Founder of Over The Bloody Moon, said: “Thanks to our partnership with Kantar, we’ve been able to identify determining factors, such as people’s history and current circumstances that will influence whether their menopause is likely to be more or less challenging for them. This has huge implications for workplaces and healthcare professionals, as it means we can identify at-risk individuals and ensure they get early intervention and are encouraged to make lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms.”

The severity of symptoms is particularly acute (unbearable/severe) for those whose menopause was medically induced (74 per cent) or who had a pre-existing medical condition (66 per cent) and for those experiencing symptoms for more than five years (67 per cent).

Those with smaller networks and support, and those who don’t talk about menopause were more likely to describe symptoms as severe or unbearable – and had the worst of experiences with early menopause, introverted personalities suffering more, and those living alone.

Those who don’t work, experience greater isolation than those who work with 66 per cent feel they have no/very little support. The most negative effect of menopause is the emotional impact caused.

• 67 per cent of respondents reported very or slightly negative emotions around mood and feelings.
• 59 per cent reported lower self-confidence.
• 57 per cent had a decline in mental health (this is heightened for those with a history of trauma or poor mental health).
• 79 per cent of women who’ve experienced depression, trauma, or poor mental health felt a very negative effect on mood and feelings.
• 83 per cent of women on anti-depressants experienced a negative impact on self-confidence and feelings.

The study also looked at ways women are managing their menopause and satisfaction with these solutions. The most effective way women are managing symptoms is HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), with 84 per cent of women on HRT seeing improved results (great/quite a lot/somewhat of a difference).

MP Carolyn Harris commented; ”The results from this study are not surprising. HRT does help to reduce the severity of menopause symptoms and so for those who are able to take it, the option should be available.”

Kantar is the world’s leading evidence-based insights and consulting company.

Over The Bloody Moon is widely regarded for its menopause education, training, and support services in the UK, partnering with organisations that include NHS England, Procter & Gamble, Heineken, LexisNexis, and Linklaters. Over The Bloody Moon is a collective of menopause specialists and coaches on a mission to remove the muddle from menopause.