Understanding Menopause & Perimenopause Survey Results

   By SheSpeaksTeam  Sep 18, 2024
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Close to 1 BILLION women globally will be dealing with menopause by 2025. With this in mind SheSpeaks and Tamsen Fadal, best-selling author and menopause advocate, collaborated on a survey to better understand the experiences of women during menopause and perimenopause (the time period just before menopause). Close to 4,000 women participated in the study and there are some very interesting findings.

KEY FINDINGS:
The perceived distinction between perimenopause and menopause is murky, and the actual definition of “menopause” appears to be unclear – or perhaps unimportant – to many women.


  • Only 61% of respondents age 51+ say they are currently in menopause, and almost one-third (31%) believe they are perimenopausal. Less than 10% of women in this age range are unsure whether they are menopausal or not.
  • Note that only 54% of respondents age 61+ say they are currently in menopause. In addition, nearly half of women who say they are in menopause still report having erratic periods (which would technically rule out menopause).
  • Nearly half of women aged 31-40 believe they are currently in perimenopause; this jumps to about 80% in the 41-50 age range.
Possible reasons/explanations:
  • Some respondents may actually be in menopause, but don’t yet know or believe it.
  • Some women may think menopause is over once their symptoms subside – perhaps considering themselves “post-menopausal.”
  • Some women may not consider themselves to be menopausal until they are devoid of symptoms.
  • Because symptoms can be felt for many years, many women probably don’t care whether they’re technically in perimenopause or menopause - i.e. the two stages blur together as symptoms are common to both.
Regardless of where they are on the peri-menopause spectrum, symptoms are a reality for nearly all women.
  • A large majority – more than two-thirds – of women surveyed have experienced each of the most common peri/menopause symptoms.
    • Over half of women say they have frequently experienced weight gain, brain fog, or insomnia.
  Frequently Occasionally At all
Irritability 46.27% 45.02% 91.29%
Brain fog 52.34% 35.76% 88.10%
Weight gain 57.08% 29.36% 86.44%
Hot flashes 33.32% 40.20% 73.52%
Night sweats 34.41% 43.22% 77.63%
Insomnia 50.95% 35.90% 86.85%
 
  • The incidence of some symptoms is significantly higher for women who believe they are currently in menopause: 65% of women in menopause say they have experienced frequent weight gain, 63% have experienced frequent insomnia, and over half have experienced frequent hot flashes and/or night sweats.
Peri-menopause has wide-ranging negative impacts – which are most commonly felt in intimate relationships and work situations.
  • Two-thirds of women say peri-menopause has had a negative impact on the quality or quantity of their intimate relations.
    • Over half of women say peri-menopause has placed a strain on their partnership/relationship (note that the negative impact on intimacy is probably a significant cause of strain). Just over 40% say they haven’t felt adequately supported by their partner when it comes to their peri-menopause experience.
  • Over half of women have been worried that their symptoms might have a negative effect on how they’re perceived at work. About 44% say they have socialized/networked less at work due to peri-menopause, and about 40% say that peri-menopause has negatively affected their work relationships.
    • About half of women say they’re worried about being discriminated against because of their symptoms’ association with increasing age, and/or that their colleagues will regard them as weak/not up to the job anymore.
    • About 40% are worried that their symptoms will make them the subject of gossip.
  • Across the board, negative impacts of peri-menopause are cited more by women aged 41-60 than by those under 41 or over 60. 
Nearly all women (88%) believe it’s helpful to have people to talk to about their peri-menopause experiences, but very few (13%) have actually had a peri-menopause-related support group they could turn to.


Listen to Tamsen Fadal and Aliza Freud (founder & CEO of SheSpeaks) talk about the survey results here 🎧


Have you experienced menopause symptoms? Do you agree with the findings of the study? Please tell us in the comments.

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Comments
cdcampbell4 by cdcampbell4 | Archdale, NC
Dec 09, 2024

I’m 39 and had a hysterectomy leaving only one ovary and I have been having these symptoms as well …but I just felt it was something I just had to deal with

ZNKMOM by ZNKMOM | Yardley, PA
Nov 20, 2024

I am in menopause, its been about 30 months with no period. The hot flashes continue even while taking medication my doctor recommended. The brain fog and irritability come and go also. I do agree with the findings. I also think we are luckier than our mothers as we have more information available and I have a female gynecologist who is very open and easy to talk to.

Countrysapphire by Countrysapphire | Coldwater, MI
Oct 23, 2024

I feel like I'm peri-menopause and I can't find a doctor to take me seriously. I'm trying to manage symptoms on my own. I find it very hard to manage.

Countrysapphire by Countrysapphire | Coldwater, MI
Oct 23, 2024

I feel like I'm peri-menopause and I can't find a doctor to take me seriously. I'm trying to manage symptoms on my own. I find it very hard to mange.

JohomieKush by JohomieKush | Leesburg, VA
Oct 21, 2024

This is so important for everyone to understand and support!!!

Metalkitty by Metalkitty | CASSELBERRY, FL
Oct 17, 2024

I am 47 and believe I might be peri. I sometimes will go a month or two before getting my period. My hormonal acne has increased on my chin. I think other symptoms may be due to a medication I am on.

Wicket by Wicket | SANDUSKY, OH
Sep 30, 2024

I'm 40 years old and I've been thinking I'mve been perimenopausal for a couple years now. But everyone is telling me I'm too young. Yet I'm having all the symptoms. This menopause thing is very confusing...

Wicket by Wicket | SANDUSKY, OH
Sep 30, 2024

I'm 40 years old and I've been thinking I'mve been perimenopausal for a couple years now. But everyone is telling me I'm too young. Yet I'm having all the symptoms. This menopause thing is very confusing...

ulostmymemberid by ulostmymemberid | TALLAHASSEE, FL
Sep 27, 2024

I wish I had known the symptoms of perimenopause back when I was going through it. I was told that I was too young for perimenopause, so therefore that couldn't possibly be the reason for my symptoms. I have had an ovarectomy due to endometriosis which could have contributed to an earlier than average perimenopause, and I wound up doing a lot of things trying to address my symptoms that might have made it worse because I didn't know that it was just my time arriving. I am now in full menopause - no periods for several years - and I'm barely over fifty!

Andrea1969 by Andrea1969 | HESPERIA, CA
Sep 27, 2024

I know that menopause is a normal stage of life, but it?s not discussed in public nearly enough (although this has changed a bit recently), and I found it embarrassing. Admitting to being menopausal at work seemed to have some stigma attached to it at the time, and I worried a bit that my colleagues might think I was over the hill. My advice to other women is to realize that menopause isn?t just about hot flashes: hormonal changes can cause a wide range of symptoms. For me, this included anxiety, insomnia, loss of confidence, heart palpitations, and restless legs.

kkluttrell by kkluttrell | Chelsea, OK
Sep 20, 2024

I was in peri-menopause before being thrown into (full, surgical) menopause at the age of 32. I have experienced most of these symptoms and feelings. I think one thing that isn't discussed enough would be the mental toll that menopause takes on a woman. The irrational irritability & brain fog makes you feel very "Off". I will also say that I have always told my daughter that you know your body better than anyone.. so, if something feels or seems wrong, find a Dr who listens to you. I agree with this articles' findings, and it is actually very enlightening.

Nekaod1 by Nekaod1 | TUSCALOOSA, AL
Sep 20, 2024

I think I?m in perimenopause because of my symptoms but I'm not sure. After reading this article, it looks like most women don?t know if they are perimenopause and menopause but only guessing.

ZNKMOM by ZNKMOM | Yardley, PA
Sep 19, 2024

Yes and yes. I do have a good gyno who sits and looks at you and she asks questions and offers options d.

Honeydoo72 by Honeydoo72 | Norman, OK
Sep 19, 2024

I?m in perimenopause right now. I talked with my doctor about my symptoms. She was so helpful and gave me the informationI needed to help me understand what was happening. I have most of the symptoms above but some are worse than others. I agree with some of the study. I do think it?s important to have someone who knows to talk to.

Suzyspeaks by Suzyspeaks | Hamilton, NJ
Sep 19, 2024

I think menopause is a confusing time because there are so many new treatments and claims out there that contribute to the lack of clarity. I think gynecologists need to do better at explaining it and companies should spend less time making unrealistic claims about it.