Bonafide Health Issues Findings of 4th Annual State of Menopause Study, Trends Reveal Positive Progress in Open Discussion and Overcoming Stigma, But Confusion and Misperceptions Remain Rampant
08 July 2024 - 1:50PM
Bonafide Health, LLC, a women’s healthcare company that provides
hormone-free, clinically researched solutions to effectively
relieve perimenopause & menopause symptoms, announces the
results of its fourth annual State of Menopause Study. This year’s
findings show women are more open and vocal about discussing
menopause than ever before but remain confused about symptoms and
treatments. They are also calling for more substantial investments
to be made in comprehensive research, healthcare training and
legislative initiatives to drive continued advancement of the State
of Menopause.
The 2024 Bonafide® State of Menopause survey included 2,013
women in the United States, aged 40-64, who are experiencing key
symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
Key Takeaways
Progress
While there is a growing openness to discuss menopause,
confusion remains about what to expect and how to manage symptoms.
Women are sharing their experiences, and driving change to reducing
menopause stigma, while pushing for better standards of care.
- 64% of women openly discuss menopause with friends and family,
a 12% increase from last year’s data, suggesting a positive shift
in societal attitudes
- 67% of respondents have talked to a healthcare provider about
their menopause symptoms, a 14% increase from last
year
- 69% of women say everything they know about menopause has come
from first-hand research, pointing to the importance of
self-education
- 7 out of 10 women still don’t know the technical definition of
menopause, but there was an improvement of 38% answering correctly
in 2024
Millennials vs. Gen
X
Older Millennials and younger Gen X women are displaying
different attitudes compared to women 50+, potentially signaling a
significant shift in how menopause will be understood and managed
in the future. As Millennials begin their menopause transition,
there seems to be an increased interest in tech designed to support
menopause. This is a strong indication that these digital natives
could be the driver of increased demand for menopause
technology.
- Women 40-49 are 4x more likely to turn to consumer tech for
menopause support, with 29% indicating they use mobile apps, a
digital healthcare platform or wearable technology to monitor
symptoms, as opposed to only 7% aged 50+
- Almost half of women participating in the study (48%) feel that
menopause has disrupted their daily lives, with 1 in 3 women saying
menopause has caused them to feel hopeless
- Specifically, women aged 40-49 are 50% more likely to feel
hopeless, suggesting that the initial onset of symptoms during
perimenopause may be the most difficult part of the menopause
transition
Workplace
Expectations
In the workplace, there’s an increasing interest in policies
related to menopause, along with a strong desire for better
accommodations.
- 51% of women state they want more menopause support in
the workplace
- 48% think they’d be stereotyped at work as less productive or
emotionally stable due to menopause
- Women in their 40s (57%) report more negative impacts of
menopause symptoms on their work performance and ambition compared
to women 50+ (45%)
Healthcare Gaps
Remain
As the stigma surrounding menopause declines, expectations for
better care emphasize long-standing educational gaps in healthcare.
- 36% of women report receiving conflicting medical advice from
different providers, with a significant increase (41%) in women who
feel dismissed by their HCPs
- 2024 results indicate that women still feel there’s a lack of
education, support and resources dedicated to menopause
- 94% feel menopause and its treatment should be required subject
matter for OB/GYNs in medical school – this is in line with 2023
findings where 95% of women felt providers need more
menopause-specific training
Potential
There are many opportunities to improve women’s experiences with
menopause. New data indicates that scientific innovations and
enhanced research investments are key to helping women tackle
challenges.
- 99% of women indicate they want increased funding for women’s
health research, with nearly 90% wanting women’s health to make up
at least 25% of the total NIH budget
- 2 in 5 women say funding for women’s health research will
influence how they vote in the 2024 election
- Women's interest in menopause research is influencing their
purchasing behavior, with 66% stating they would buy from a brand
that invests in menopause research
While there has been progress made in discussing menopause,
concrete actions are imperative to create lasting change and
improve the State of Menopause. Comprehensive research, healthcare
provider education, government investments and continued advocacy
are essential to address the unique challenges faced by menopausal
women. By establishing more definitive support structures, we can
ensure that the growing awareness and advocacy around menopause
translate into tangible benefits, ultimately improving the quality
of life for women navigating this transition.
METHODOLOGY
The 2024 Bonafide State of Menopause Survey was fielded by
Bonafide in May of 2024. Respondents were U.S. women between the
ages of 40-65 years old who are currently experiencing
perimenopause or menopause symptoms, totaling 2,013
responses.
ABOUT BONAFIDE
HEALTH
Bonafide Health was launched with a simple mission: to provide
women with safe and highly effective symptom relief throughout
their menopause journey. As part of Bonafide's scientific research
and product development process, the brand prides itself on their
deep understanding of the biological and physiological changes that
affect women due to hormonal fluctuations experienced with age.
Trusted by more than 17,350 healthcare professionals, Bonafide
provides first-of-its-kind, evidence-based solutions developed from
naturally derived ingredients that are hormone-free and
drug-free. To learn more visit www.hellobonafide.com
- Bonafide Health Issues Findings of 4th Annual State of
Menopause Study
- Bonafide Health Issues Findings of 4th Annual State of
Menopause Study
Ann Pechaver
Bonafide® Health, LLC
802-578-7512
apechaver@Bonafidehealth.com