More than one in five women say they have no one who they can talk to about the menopause, new research reveals. The new study, conducted by Atomik Research, commissioned for QVC UK’s ‘Menopause Your Way’, highlighted a lack of discussion around the menopause, revealing that only one in 10 (9%) feel prepared for this lifechanging event.
Further statistics found that two in five (39%) say they knew about the symptoms but did not have a clear enough understanding of how to manage them. QVC is also looking to have women’s needs better represented as, for more than a quarter surveyed (26%), the menopause is represented in society as something that only happens to ‘older’ women. This is despite the findings revealing that for a third, (31%) the menopause started at a much younger age than expected.
Despite half the population experiencing menopause, the taboo and need to normalise the conversation is clear to see, with a third (37%) having never discussed it with another female relative. The study highlights how the reluctance to talk could be leading to many (40%) women not feeling prepared for the menopause at all.
Over half (53%) of women said their biggest concern was ‘hot flashes’, exposing little awareness of other possible symptoms, of which there are 48. Despite this, three in five (59%) women felt that no longer having periods was liberating.
TV judge Shirley Ballas and a range of other women including Sally Gunnell (former track and field athlete), Heather Jackson (co-founder of Gen-M, the menopause partner of brands) and Rachel Lankester (founder of Magnificent Midlife, an online hub) are also appearing in the impactful video content, discussing their own personal experiences of the menopause.
Shirley Ballas, TV Judge, says: “My experience going through the menopause was an emotional and scary experience on so many levels. The ordeal is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life – it was a very, very difficult time indeed. It’s such a huge milestone and yet, it’s talked about so little”.
Shirley continues: “Discussing the menopause shouldn’t be seen as taboo but I understand why talking about it can be embarrassing. It is after all a natural part of life that half of the population experience and it needs much more communication. Looking back at my experience of the menopause, I would tell my younger self to reach out for help, the minute my body started to change. By working with QVC to be part of its ‘Menopause Your Way’ video, we are aiming to reach people who need support, and make sure no one is ashamed to say how they’re feeling”.
Heather Jackson, co-founder of Gen-M, the menopause partner for brands, including QVC says, “’The change’ changes everything. Everyone’s life is impacted by the menopause, whether it be directly or indirectly. Through ‘Menopause Your Way’, QVC is looking to give women the tools and information to control their own menopause. You wouldn’t get up and run a marathon in your slippers from the sofa without any training, preparation, or kit, and for many people, the menopause is their marathon. My advice would be to ‘own it' – take control and handle menopause your way”.
Heather continues, “QVC’s research tells us that over one in five women say they have nobody they can talk to about the menopause, and that is staggering. Quite frankly, that must change – the menopause can be a lonely place and it doesn’t need to be. I would urge anyone who feels alone to talk. We need to normalise the conversation in order to change society for the long term, and by doing so, we can ensure we make today’s experience of the menopause, better than yesterday.”
The video content featuring Shirley Ballas can be seen on www.qvcuk.com/menopauseyourway, alongside a range of tools and resources to empower women during the menopause. The video can also be viewed on QVC’s Facebook and Instagram channels.
