Mental health effects of menopause

*This article includes data based on a UK survey conducted by DR.VEGAN^{^®} of 1029 women, during March 2022. All customer survey findings reflect our own efforts and have not been independently verified or influenced by any external organisations or third-party entities.

Half of women going through menopause said they have experienced mild depression, 63% lose their confidence, 80% experience brain fog, and 10% have experienced severe depression as a result of their menopausal symptoms.

These are just some of the results from DR.VEGAN's Menopause Survey* of over 1,000 women conducted in March 2022, revealing over twenty symptoms of menopause, and the effects of menopause on mental health.

These findings are helping shape and 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.

Age of menopause

47 was reported as the average age for onset of menopausal symptoms and 46-50 is the most common age bracket.

Among 1,029 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.

DR.VEGAN's survey shows menopause symptoms don't end earlier if they start earlier.

The survey results 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.

Top 10 symptoms of menopause

There were more than 20 menopausal symptoms reported in the survey and, on average, women said they experienced 10 symptoms of menopause.

Brain Fog was the most common reported symptom of menopause. Fatigue, poor sleep, night sweats, hot flushes, mood swings and anxiety are equally common, with 75% experiencing these.

More than 60% experienced joint pain, weight gain, low libido and bloating.

% of women 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.

Other common symptoms of menopause

Cold flushes, shivers, hair loss and hair thinning affected more than 30% of women, and changes in body odour, altered spatial awareness, tinnitus and itchy skin (formication) 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 women experiencing symptoms

The effects of menopause symptoms

Whilst menopausal symptoms are well known, the effects of menopause are much less understood and our research highlights the need for society to do much more to support women.

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.

% of women impacted

The effects of menopause are real and wide-reaching. They impact society, family relationships, work and careers.

HRT and menopause

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% of those surveyed were taking HRT, with 15% having taken it but have since stopped.

Is HRT effective?

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

HRT provides relief from some symptoms and benefits for many people who choose to take it.

Service from GPs is 'poor'

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't consulted their GP about their menopause.

Menopause in the workplace

80% of the women surveyed were in full or part-time work. A third said that 'menopause symptoms have had a significant effect' on their ability to work at their best. 1 in 10 said that their menopause symptoms had led them to take time off work.

Menopause is still a taboo subject in the workplace. Among those who had requested time off work due to menopausal symptoms, 50% felt they had to tell their employer it was for a different reason.

Are employers understanding of menopause?

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 them at work.

Here at DR.VEGAN^{^®} we are committed to 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:

Provide education to all employees on menopause and how it affects women.
Provide flexible working arrangements for those experiencing menopause.

Diet and menopause

40% of those surveyed who made changes to their diet during menopause said the changes helped to relieve symptoms. However, only 50% of women overall were aware that dietary changes 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 can read here - 'Nutrition for the menopause'.

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 team@drvegan.com.

If you'd like to hear more from our nutritionists to help you through menopause, sign up to our free newsletter:

About the survey

*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. Among the respondents, 34% were in peri-menopause, 41% were in menopause, 17% were post menopause, and 8% didn't know the stage of menopause they were in. All survey findings reflect our own research efforts and have not been influenced or verified by any external organisations or third-party entities.