NEW research from University College London has revealed that the majority of women feel poorly informed about menopause, despite its profound impact on lifelong health. The findings highlight a persistent gap in public and clinical understanding, underscoring the need for better education, earlier conversations, and more accessible support.
The study, conducted by UCL’s Women’s Health experts in 2025, surveyed women across the UK to assess their awareness of menopausal symptoms, long-term health implications and available treatment options. More than three-quarters of respondents reported that they did not feel well-informed about menopause before symptoms began. Many also stated that they were unsure where to seek reliable information, and nearly half believed their concerns were dismissed or minimised when raising them with healthcare professionals.
Wider Health Effects of Menopause Often Overlooked
Clinical specialists say this lack of awareness translates into delayed diagnoses, unnecessary suffering and missed opportunities for early intervention. Although menopause can cause a wide range of symptoms, including sleep disturbance, anxiety, cardiovascular changes, musculoskeletal pain and cognitive issues, many women only recognise hot flushes as a hallmark sign. This gap in understanding means that early perimenopausal symptoms often go unlinked to hormonal change for years.
The UCL team also found that disparities persist across demographics: younger women, women from minority ethnic groups and those with lower access to healthcare resources reported even lower levels of preparedness. Poor knowledge about menopause was also associated with reduced uptake of evidence-based therapies such as hormone replacement therapy, which can significantly improve quality of life for eligible women.
Researchers argue that improved education should begin well before midlife, ideally integrated into routine health curricula and primary care discussions. They also call for better professional training to ensure that women’s concerns are taken seriously and managed appropriately.
The authors conclude that transformative change in menopause education and care is needed. By increasing awareness, ensuring equitable access to treatment, and empowering women with reliable information, health systems could markedly improve outcomes for millions entering this life stage.
Reference
University College London (UCL). Most women lack knowledge about menopause, major study finds. UCL Women’s Health Research News, 2025. Available at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/population-health-sciences/womens-health/news-and-events. Last accessed: 20 November 2025.
