Holland & Barrett launch new Menopause services as research reveals two-thirds of women suffer in silence

– Two thirds of women do not talk about the menopause, with 61 per cent citing for fear of ‘judgement’ –

– A quarter who have spoken about their experience say they were ‘menosplained’ –

– Holland & Barrett partners with TV presenter, Cherry Healey, to launch the menopause Pause & Listen Pledge for a more supportive society –

– Alongside training 4,000 Holland & Barrett colleagues to advise on the menopause –

New research has revealed that almost two thirds of women (61 per cent) say they do not talk about the menopause, with 61 per cent citing for fear of being ‘judged’ and treated differently as the reason.

Despite 83 per cent of women saying that the menopause is less of a taboo subject now than it has ever been, one in three (33 per cent) said they have had experienced a negative reaction, such as shutting the conversation down, when they had spoken about what they were going through and how they were feeling.

As a result, only half (51 per cent) said they feel comfortable speaking to their family and friends regarding the matter.

In response to the research, Holland & Barrett, the UK’s leading health and wellness retailer, has partnered with TV presenter Cherry Healey to launch the menopause Pause & Listen Pledge where people are being asked to promise to unconditionally listen to and support people experiencing the menopause.

A quarter (24 per cent) said they had even experienced ‘menosplaining’ with people trying to explain their menopause back to them rather than listening. Women said they would feel supported (43%), normal (37%), confident (17%) and less anxious (15%) if they simply had someone listen to their experience without interruptions or judgement. 

Holland & Barrett has long supported menopausal women – over 50 years – and this Pledge launches alongside training 4,000 of its colleagues to advise on the menopause. People can sign up to the Pledge in store and via the Holland & Barrett website.

Fiona Sweny, Wellness Futures Science Lead at Holland & Barrett said: “There has been real progress made in recent years to bring the menopause to the forefront of the conversation, thanks to the many high-profile women who have been openly speaking about their experiences in the media.

“However, while awareness has improved, there is still a big job to be done in helping women feel heard. We know everyone’s journey is different and while we won’t pretend to know how an individual’s experience feels, we can promise to be there to listen, support, and offer guidance and invite others to join us in this promise.”

Cherry Healey, TV Presenter said: “Since recently being diagnosed as perimenopausal, I’ve been fortunate enough to have been supported and listened to, yet I sadly know this isn’t the same experience for so many.

“That’s why taking part in Holland & Barrett’s Pause & Listen Pledge is so important to me – we must get more women talking openly about their experience, the good, the bad and the ugly, so they receive the support they need, and the only way we’ll achieve this is if we create an environment where women feel listened to, without judgement.”

The retailer has also opened a number of Menopause Pause & Listen Rooms in city stores across the UK. These dedicated rooms will offer a calming space and cool spots, to speak with a trained menopause adviser. An exclusive partnership with the charity Menopause Mandate will also be announced later this month – another example of the retailer’s focus to encourage women to openly talk about the menopause and to ensure they are being listened to.  

The Pause & Listen Pledge 

We won’t pretend to know how your menopause feels.

We won’t say millions of people go through it every day.

We won’t tell you to just get on with it.

We won’t say “You’re way too young to go through the menopause”.

We won’t make light of your menopause.

We will give you the chance to offload.

We will help you try to find ways to get through it.

We will understand that your menopause is unlike anyone else’s.

We will show you that you don’t have to do this alone.

And above all we will always listen and support you.