Nearly half of women stop, reduce or put activities on hold that they enjoy during perimenopause and menopause, study finds

The study, which was published by Holland & Barrett, also found that 36% say they have stopped feeling confident in themselves, 24% have stopped or reduced exercising or staying physically active, while 23% have stopped, reduced or put on hold dating, relationships or intimacy

A hand-painted window installation at Holland & Barrett’s Henry Street store was designed by Nonie Stafford

Nearly half of women have stopped, reduced or put activities on hold that they previously enjoyed during perimenopause and menopause, a study has found.

The study, which was published by Holland & Barrett, also found that 36% say they have stopped feeling confident in themselves, 24% have stopped or reduced exercising or staying physically active, while 23% have stopped, reduced or put on hold dating, relationships or intimacy.

While 19% have reduced socialising with friends or family, 66% most want to continue feeling confident in themselves, and 57% want to continue exercising or staying physically active.

In addition, respondents said just 10% say they have felt sufficiently informed and supported through perimenopause or menopause.

Among those who feel they would have benefited from more support, 34% say a better understanding of symptoms would have helped, while 32% say better advice or support from healthcare professionals would have helped.

More than 25% say better access to specialist menopause support would have helped, while 23% would have valued somewhere they could speak face-to-face with a knowledgeable person for advice.

Dr Máire Finn, GP with Centric Health in Ennis and female health expert, said: “Menopause is a transitional phase that affects every aspect of life and health to some degree.

“Too often the emphasis is solely on physical symptoms. My own experience and clinical practice reveals that so often the cognitive and emotional symptoms can be more debilitating.

“This research is extremely valuable and is trying to quantify what women lose on a social and societal level during this period. It highlights the gap between how women want to live and what they experience in reality.”

The data, which was published as part of Holland & Barrett’s The Things We Won’t Stop campaign, puts women, their ambitions and their lives at the centre of the conversation, shifting the focus from what menopause can take away to what women want to keep doing.

To celebrate the launch of the campaign Holland & Barrett commissioned a hand painted window installation at its Henry Street, Dublin, store, celebrating the things women want to hold onto through perimenopause and menopause.

It was designed by Nonie Stafford, the Wexford-based artist behind Blossomink Studio, the artwork features her signature mural art and calligraphy style, celebrating confidence, connection, movement, adventure and the everyday moments that matter to women.

Dublin-based makeup artist, content creator and body positivity advocate Elaine Cruz is supporting the campaign, sharing her own perspective on menopause.

She said: “My own experience of menopause has made me realise how easy it is for the conversation to become focused on the symptoms. But there’s so much more to it than that.

“It can affect how you feel about yourself, your confidence and the things you enjoy doing every day.

“I’m so happy to be part of this campaign because I think it’s important that we talk about that side of menopause too. I want women to feel supported to keep being themselves, doing the things they love and feeling confident in who they are.

“Menopause is part of life, but it shouldn’t put the rest of your life on hold.”

Lina Chan, Director of Women’s Health at Holland & Barrett, said: “It’s clear from the research that women want to keep doing the things that matter to them through perimenopause and menopause.

“At Holland & Barrett we are committed to raising the profile of women’s health and ensuring equitable access to trusted information and support for every woman.

“We aim to put women’s lives at the centre of the menopause conversation, shifting the focus beyond what menopause can take away, to the things women want to keep doing.

Through our trained Wellness Champions, we can offer practical guidance, helping women feel more informed and supported as they continue to back their bodies and do the things that matter to them.”

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