*This article includes data based on a UK survey conducted byĀ DR.VEGAN®Ā of 1029 women, duringĀ March 2022. AllĀ customer survey findings reflect our own efforts and have not been independently verified or influenced by any external organisations or third-party entities.
HalfĀ of women going through menopause said they have experienced mild depression,Ā 63% lose their confidence, 80% experience brain fog, and 10% have experienced severe depressionĀ as a result of their menopausal symptoms.
These are just some of the resultsĀ fromĀ DR.VEGAN'sĀ Menopause Survey*Ā of over 1,000 women conducted in March 2022,Ā revealing over twenty symptoms of menopause, and the effects of menopause on mental health.Ā
These findingsĀ are helping shape andĀ improve the way society supports women. Menopause impacts every person, family and employer and it's vital we provide the necessary support for women going through menopause.Ā
47Ā was reported as the average age for onset of menopausal symptoms andĀ 46-50Ā is the most common age bracket.

Among 1,029Ā respondents, 34% said they were in perimenopause, 41% in menopause, 17% post-menopause, and 8% weren't aware what stage of menopause they were in.Ā Ā
DR.VEGAN'sĀ survey shows menopause symptoms don'tĀ end earlier if they startĀ earlier.
The survey resultsĀ show that menopausal symptoms last longer for 'early onset menopause', with women still experiencing symptoms on average 13 years later if menopause began at age 40 or younger.Ā
ThereĀ were more than 20 menopausal symptoms reported in the survey and, on average, women said they experiencedĀ 10 symptomsĀ of menopause.
Brain Fog was the most commonĀ reported symptom of menopause.Ā Fatigue, poor sleep, night sweats, hot flushes, mood swings and anxietyĀ are equally common, with 75% experiencing these.Ā Ā
More than 60% experienced joint pain, weight gain, low libido and bloating.Ā

% of womenĀ experiencing symptoms
Our survey shows however that other symptoms can have a much greater impact on women's lives, both at home and at work.Ā
Cold flushes, shivers, hair loss and hair thinning affected more than 30% of women,Ā and changes in body odour, altered spatial awareness, tinnitus and itchy skin (formication)Ā affected more than 20% of women going through menopause, according to the survey. 10% experienced PMS and urinary symptoms, gum disease, vaginal atrophy (VA) and electric shocks.

% of womenĀ experiencingĀ symptoms
Whilst menopausal symptomsĀ are well known, the effects of menopause areĀ much lessĀ understood and ourĀ research highlights the need for societyĀ to do much more to support women.Ā
Two thirds of women suffered a loss of confidence and half experienced mild depression as a result of their symptoms. 10% experienced severe depression or suicidal thoughts as a result of menopause, and 40% had experienced feeling inadequate, feelings of worthlessness, avoiding socialising due to debilitating symptoms and leading to a sense of isolation.Ā

% of women impacted
TheĀ effects of menopause are real and wide-reaching. They impact society, family relationships, work and careers.Ā
HRT has polarised opinion for many years due to concerns over potential side effects, and this is reflected in the survey results. Less than 20%Ā of those surveyed were taking HRT, with 15%Ā having taken it but have since stopped.Ā

AĀ third ofĀ those who take HRT say it is effective or very effective.Ā 43%Ā say it is somewhat or a little effective, while a quarter of people who take HRT say it had no effect.Ā

HRT provides relief from some symptoms and benefits for many people who choose to take it.Ā
Among those who had seen their GP about menopause, half (48%) rated the service they received as 'poor'. Only 2 in 10 said the service from their GP was good. 34% hadn'tĀ consulted their GPĀ about their menopause.
80% of the women surveyed were in full or part-time work. A thirdĀ said that 'menopause symptoms have had a significant effect' on their ability to work at their best. 1 in 10Ā said that their menopause symptomsĀ had led them to take time off work.Ā Ā
Menopause is still a taboo subject in the workplace. Among those who had requested time off work due to menopausal symptoms,Ā 50% felt they had to tell their employer it was for a different reason.Ā
Only 10% of women surveyed believe that employers provide enough support for employees going through menopause, and just 30% of women believe employers are understanding of how menopause affects themĀ at work.Ā

Here atĀ DR.VEGAN® we are committed toĀ helping employers understand the effects of menopause and by doing so, improving the lives of their employees. The survey shows employers have a lot of work to do in this area!

The survey identified two clear priorities for employers who wish to provide support for women navigating menopause in the workplace:Ā
40% ofĀ those surveyed who made changes to their diet during menopause said the changes helped to relieve symptoms. However, onlyĀ 50% of women overall were aware thatĀ dietary changesĀ could help with the relief of symptoms and had no idea of what those changes were.
Your diet can help and hormone health expert, Dr Katie Hodgkinson, explains how in her article which you canĀ read here - 'Nutrition for the menopause'.Ā
For more information on menopause and perimenopause head over to our 'Women's Health' section, or read more in these popular articles from our expert nutritionists:
If you have any questions about menopause, your symptoms, or our survey, we'd love to hear from you - just email us at [email protected].Ā
If you'd like to hear more from our nutritionists to help you through menopause, sign up to our free newsletter:Ā
About the surveyĀ
*Based on a UK survey conducted by DR.VEGAN® nationally representative. A total of 1,029 responses were collected via a nationwide online survey in the UK between 14-27 March 2022. Responses were confidential and anonymous.Ā Among the respondents, 34% were in peri-menopause, 41% were in menopause, 17% were post menopause, and 8% didn't knowĀ theĀ stage of menopause they were in.Ā All survey findings reflect our own research efforts and have not been influenced or verified by any external organisations or third-party entities.
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