New Intimina survey on 4,000 girls uncovers the profound influence menopause has on physique picture, confidence, and self-worth
In recent times, menopause has turn into probably the most in style subjects in girls’s well being discussions. It has been an extended wait, however it appears the world is lastly prepared to interrupt the stigma surrounding this usually difficult stage of life that just about each girl experiences. Each the general public and media are more and more masking menopause to supply assist for girls across the globe. For a lot of, this life stage can convey discomfort with a number of signs; nonetheless, it’s a regular transition that ought to be acknowledged as such. It’s important for girls to undergo this era with entry to correct data and assist when wanted.
To higher perceive how menopause impacts girls at this time, the intimate wellness model INTIMINA surveyed over 4,000 girls aged 40 to 60 within the UK, Spain, France, and Italy. The survey targeted on girls who’ve skilled or are presently experiencing menopause, revealing the extent to which menopause reshapes girls’s relationship with their our bodies, exposing a major disaster of confidence and highlighting the necessity for higher illustration and assist.
Menopause appears to have a major impact on girls, with girls who’ve been by way of it or are presently going although it saying they really feel extra negatively (51%), dissatisfied (50%), crucial (41%), and fewer assured (46%) since going by way of it.
Contemplating the influence that going by way of the menopause has had on girls, it’s maybe not shocking that 61% of those girls will not be presently glad with their physique, with 21% saying they aren’t glad in any respect.
Bodily Adjustments Drive Dissatisfaction
When requested what drives this decline, girls pointed overwhelmingly to bodily adjustments. The bulk mentioned that weight acquire (56%) and scorching flashes or different seen signs (50%) have been the most important components affecting their confidence, adopted by adjustments to pores and skin (28%), vaginal or sexual well being (22%) and muscle tone (22%). Many additionally famous hair thinning, breast adjustments, and facial ageing as significantly troublesome to deal with.
Social Pressures and Lack of Illustration
The survey discovered that these struggles are intensified by social strain and lack of illustration. Two in 5 girls (41%) mentioned they now examine themselves extra to youthful girls than earlier than, and practically 4 in ten (39%) reported feeling pressured by society and the media to take care of a youthful look. Strikingly, greater than half (54%) mentioned they don’t see sufficient menopausal girls within the media that they’ll relate to — highlighting how invisibility worsens an already weak stage of life.
Coping Methods — And Their Limits
Whereas many ladies are actively looking for methods to manage, from train and health (53%) to flattering clothes (43%) and skincare routines (30%), virtually one in eight (12%) admitted that nothing helps them handle these adjustments. Others lean on self-talk, peer conversations, or beauty therapies, however the general image is one in every of girls preventing to carry onto confidence with restricted assist.
Shifting Priorities Round Magnificence and Well being
Regardless of these struggles, menopause additionally seems to shift values in significant methods. Greater than 4 in ten girls (41%) mentioned they now focus extra on well being than on look, whereas one other 42% mentioned they steadiness each equally. Almost half (47%) additionally reported that their definition of magnificence has developed, with 26% caring much less about standard requirements and 23% saying they’ve actively redefined magnificence for themselves.
A Cultural Blind Spot
The cultural image stays sobering. 41% of ladies imagine their tradition views growing old girls negatively, whereas solely 14% really feel that older girls are valued positively. This lack of cultural recognition, paired with physique adjustments and social strain, contributes to the decline in physique acceptance: in comparison with their 30s and 40s, 39% of ladies now really feel much less accepting of their our bodies, with solely 28% saying they’ve grown extra accepting.
What Nonetheless Makes Ladies Really feel Lovely
There are, nonetheless, sparks of positivity. Many ladies discover magnificence and confidence in new locations, with 49% saying they really feel most lovely when caring for their well being and 41% crediting self-acceptance. A 3rd mentioned bodily energy (33%) and inside peace (33%) play a central function, whereas others drew confidence from relationships, achievements, and private type.
The Assist Ladies Need
When requested what would assist them really feel higher about growing old, girls pointed to clear options: 35% mentioned they needed higher entry to magnificence and wellness sources tailor-made particularly to menopausal girls, 33% needed to see extra genuine illustration of older girls within the media, and 32% emphasised the significance of psychological well being and shallowness assist. Just below a 3rd additionally referred to as for extra open conversations round menopause. But virtually one in 5 girls (19%) mentioned no useful resource would make a distinction — an indication of how deep this confidence disaster can run.
Dunja Kokotovic, World Model Supervisor at Intimina, mentioned: “These findings reveal a sobering fact: for too many ladies, menopause is accompanied by a lack of confidence and a deep sense of dissatisfaction with their our bodies. Whereas some girls are redefining magnificence in empowering methods, the bulk nonetheless really feel missed, pressured, or invisible. There’s way more that must be carried out to make sure girls really feel blissful, assured, and represented throughout this life stage. It’s time to interrupt down taboos, shift how society views ageing girls, and supply actual sources that assist each physique and thoughts.”
The analysis was carried out by Censuswide, with Ladies who’ve skilled the menopause/ presently experiencing the menopause aged 40-60 within the UK, France, Spain & Italy. The information was collected between 21.07.2025-28.07.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Analysis Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR ideas. Censuswide can be a member of the British Polling Council.
