New Intimina survey on 4,000 ladies uncovers the profound impression menopause has on physique picture, confidence, and self-worth
In recent times, menopause has turn out to be one of the widespread matters in ladies’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 nearly each lady experiences. Each the general public and media are more and more masking menopause to offer assist for ladies across the globe. For a lot of, this life stage can convey discomfort with a number of signs; nevertheless, it’s a regular transition that ought to be acknowledged as such. It’s important for ladies to undergo this era with entry to correct info and assist when wanted.
To raised perceive how menopause impacts ladies at the moment, the intimate wellness model INTIMINA surveyed over 4,000 ladies aged 40 to 60 within the UK, Spain, France, and Italy. The survey targeted on ladies who’ve skilled or are presently experiencing menopause, revealing the extent to which menopause reshapes ladies’s relationship with their our bodies, exposing a big disaster of confidence and highlighting the necessity for higher illustration and assist.
Menopause appears to have a big impact on ladies, with ladies who’ve been by 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 it.
Contemplating the impression that going by the menopause has had on ladies, it’s maybe not stunning that 61% of those ladies aren’t presently happy with their physique, with 21% saying they aren’t happy in any respect.
Bodily Modifications Drive Dissatisfaction
When requested what drives this decline, ladies pointed overwhelmingly to bodily adjustments. The bulk stated that weight acquire (56%) and scorching flashes or different seen signs (50%) had been the largest 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 notably 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 ladies (41%) stated they now examine themselves extra to youthful ladies than earlier than, and almost 4 in ten (39%) reported feeling pressured by society and the media to keep up a youthful look. Strikingly, greater than half (54%) stated they don’t see sufficient menopausal ladies within the media that they’ll relate to — highlighting how invisibility worsens an already susceptible 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 remedies, however the total image is considered one of ladies 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 ladies (41%) stated they now focus extra on well being than on look, whereas one other 42% stated 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 girls imagine their tradition views growing older ladies negatively, whereas solely 14% really feel that older ladies 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 girls now really feel much less accepting of their our bodies, with solely 28% saying they’ve grown extra accepting.
What Nonetheless Makes Girls Really feel Stunning
There are, nevertheless, sparks of positivity. Many ladies discover magnificence and confidence in new locations, with 49% saying they really feel most lovely when taking good care of their well being and 41% crediting self-acceptance. A 3rd stated bodily power (33%) and interior peace (33%) play a central position, whereas others drew confidence from relationships, achievements, and private type.
The Help Girls Need
When requested what would assist them really feel higher about growing older, ladies pointed to clear options: 35% stated they needed higher entry to magnificence and wellness sources tailor-made particularly to menopausal ladies, 33% needed to see extra genuine illustration of older ladies within the media, and 32% emphasised the significance of psychological well being and vanity assist. Slightly below a 3rd additionally referred to as for extra open conversations round menopause. But virtually one in 5 ladies (19%) stated no useful resource would make a distinction — an indication of how deep this confidence disaster can run.
Dunja Kokotovic, World Model Supervisor at Intimina, stated: “These findings reveal a sobering reality: for too many ladies, menopause is accompanied by a lack of confidence and a deep sense of dissatisfaction with their our bodies. Whereas some ladies are redefining magnificence in empowering methods, the bulk nonetheless really feel missed, pressured, or invisible. There may be way more that must be completed to make sure ladies really feel blissful, assured, and represented throughout this life stage. It’s time to interrupt down taboos, shift how society views ageing ladies, and supply actual sources that assist each physique and thoughts.”
The analysis was carried out by Censuswide, with Girls who’ve skilled the menopause/ presently experiencing the menopause aged 40-60 within the UK, France, Spain & Italy. The info 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.
