For World Menopause Day on 18th October, new research* results, released by the British Nutrition Foundation, show women across Great Britain to be facing additional challenges managing their menopausal symptoms due to the financial and emotional impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
The research, conducted by YouGov, reveals that just under a third (32 percent) of women who are going through or have been through the menopause and experienced symptoms have tried hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to reduce, prevent or cope with menopausal symptoms but that 1 in 10 women going through the menopause are now unable or less able to afford the cost of their prescriptions and 37 percent are more stressed about their finances and feel that this has heightened their menopausal symptoms. In addition, nearly a quarter of women report being unable or less able to purchase particular foods (22 percent) and vitamins (25 percent) they feel help to alleviate their menopause symptoms.
However, whilst many turn to dietary and herbal supplements, there is low awareness among women of simple diet and lifestyle changes that can support health during and after the menopause. 40 percent of all GB women have heard that herbal supplements can help alleviate menopause symptoms and 29 percent of those experiencing menopause symptoms have tried such remedies despite the need for more evidence to understand the efficacy and safety of many. Yet just over 4 in 10 of all women had heard about the importance of bone health during the menopause (44 percent), when the fall in oestrogen can result in bone loss and increase risk of osteoporosis, and that ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intakes can help maintain bone strength for the future.
Sara Stanner, Science Director of British Nutrition Foundation said: “At a time when women want to feel empowered and take control of their health by making diet and lifestyles changes to manage or cope with their menopausal symptoms, it is upsetting that the cost-of living crisis is making this more challenging.
“As we know that the years leading up to the menopause and beyond are critical for bone health, it is important women are able to access plenty of calcium rich foods such as dairy foods like milk and yogurt, and green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale to protect against osteoporosis in later life. They are also advised to consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement containing 10 mcg during the autumn and winter months.”
16 percent of women who are going through menopause say that they are now working extra hours or shifts to earn more to be able to afford the things they need, while 14 percent are now unable or less able to afford the exercise classes or gym membership they rely on to help them cope with their menopause symptoms, with exercise also being important for bone health.
Sara Moger, CEO of the British M