New research highlights significant challenges for Irish women experiencing menopause

A recent study: ‘Menopause dialogues: The census’ has uncovered widespread symptoms, profound impacts on quality of life, and a pressing need for improved support and resources among women experiencing menopause. The research, which was commissioned by CanesMeno – a new brand offering a dedicated product range and a digital educational hub designed to support women with menopause in Ireland – reveals insight into their lived experiences.

The study found that 92 per cent of affected women reported symptoms with only 8 per cent reporting no symptoms at all, while over half of all women reported hot flushes, low energy, and difficulty sleeping. Despite a high overall awareness of menopause symptoms (87%), a notable 13 per cent of women experiencing symptoms initially failed to recognise their connection to menopause, underscoring the need for proactive educational initiatives, particularly as women approach peri-menopause.

The impact of menopause extended significantly to women’s sex lives, according to the data, with over one-third (38%) of respondents reporting a negative impact – a figure that increased to nearly half (46%) among those currently in menopause. Reduced libido was the primary issue reported, followed by hot flushes/night sweats, mood changes, and fatigue. Beyond physical manifestations, the research also identified considerable emotional burdens.

Workplace support for women experiencing menopause was also notably lacking, with only 10 per cent expressing complete satisfaction, highlighting a substantial opportunity for employers to enhance their support systems. Furthermore, a concerning 61 per cent of women believe there is an insufficient number of trusted and credible resources available for those navigating menopause or perimenopause. This sentiment was particularly strong among perimenopausal women, suggesting a feeling of unpreparedness for the onset of symptoms.

Finally, women reported a strong desire for improved support from their GPs as their initial point of contact. Overall, there was also a strong call for greater public awareness and increased access to reliable, credible information, indicating clear avenues for brand activation and public health initiatives.

Bayer, makers of Canesten, announced the launch of CanesMeno to coincide with the study findings. As well as a large range of female health products, key features of the menopause hub include:

• Three-minute CanesMeno guide: A quick, accessible resource to learn about menopause signs, informed by the findings of the study with downloadable information.
• Personalised menopause tracker: Users can input their symptoms to receive free, private, and personalised insights, revealing symptom impact and correlation with overall mood.
• Comprehensive article library: An array of expert-led articles to equip users with knowledge to navigate their experience with greater ease.