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PRESS RELEASE OCTOBER 2024

New Menopause Survey Reveals Gaps in Support for Women in the US and UK

Menopause Mandate’s Dual-Nation Survey Highlights Similar Challenges Faced by Women in Both Countries

The campaign group Menopause Mandate, chaired by Mariella Frostrup and Naomi Watts, has gathered insights from thousands of women across the US and UK, shedding light on the significant challenges women face as they navigate menopause. The results, collected from nearly 20,000 women, reveal ongoing gaps in healthcare, workplace support, and overall awareness of menopause.

While the experiences of women in both countries are similar, the findings show that women in the US face additional hurdles, particularly when it comes to healthcare access and workplace policies.

Key Comparisons Between the US and UK Findings

Prevalence of Symptoms

  • US: 96% of women reported experiencing menopause symptoms, with brain fog (68%), weight gain (80%), and fatigue (65%) among the most common.

  • UK: 97% of women reported symptoms, with brain fog (82%), weight gain (76%), and fatigue (72%) topping the list.

Quality of Life Impact

  • US: 96% of US women said menopause symptoms impacted their quality of life.

  • UK: Similarly, 96% of UK women reported a negative impact on their quality of life due to menopause symptoms.

Healthcare Access and HRT Discussions

  • US:

    • 92% of women had to visit a doctor multiple times before their menopause symptoms were recognized.

    • 49% reported HRT was discussed at their first appointment, but only 54% are currently using it, and just 51% have insurance coverage for it.

  • UK:

    • 55% of women said HRT was discussed at their first NHS appointment, and 47% were offered it straight away.

Doctor/GP Experience

  • US: Only 25% of US women reported a positive experience when seeing their doctor about menopause, and the majority had to return multiple times before receiving proper advice.

  • UK: 31% of women reported a positive experience with their GP, while 43% had a partially positive experience.

Workplace Support and Menopause Policies

  • US: 32% of women said menopause symptoms negatively affected them at work, and 72% reported no support for menopause in their workplace. Only 2.5% said their employer had a menopause policy in place.

  • UK: 37% of women reported being negatively affected at work, and 39% said their employer has a menopause policy in place, reflecting an increase from 28% the previous year.

Impact on Relationships

  • US: 63% of women said menopause negatively affected their relationships, though 75% have discussed the issue with their partner.

  • UK: 73% of women reported a negative impact on their relationships, with 78% having discussed menopause with their partner.

A Call for Better Support and Policies Across the US and UK

The results from Menopause Mandate’s dual-nation survey highlight the urgent need for better menopause support in both the US and UK. In the healthcare sector, more needs to be done to educate doctors and clinicians about menopause, especially in the US, where fewer women are having positive experiences with their healthcare providers.

In the workplace, the gap is even more pronounced. While the UK is seeing progress with increasing workplace menopause policies, the US lags significantly behind, with very few employers offering any form of menopause support.

Key Recommendations from Menopause Mandate

  1. Better Medical Education and Training: Both countries need more education for healthcare professionals to ensure they can recognize menopause symptoms early and offer effective treatments, including HRT.

  2. Improved Workplace Policies: US employers must follow the UK’s lead in adopting menopause support policies to help women manage symptoms without workplace discrimination or career impacts.

  3. Public Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness about menopause through public campaigns will ensure women have access to accurate information and know their options for treatment and support.