National research into Menopause: Thousands of Benenden Health members look to Menopause support

Benenden Health’s ‘My Expert Health Coach’ app feature sees menopause as the most accessed (60%) topic for members in their fifties.

Benenden Health’s ‘My Expert Health Coach’ app feature - which helps its members manage key aspects of their health - has seen high usage so far this year, especially its module on menopause.

A third (33%) of all users surveyed accessed the menopause support, this then rising to 60% of those aged 50 to 59. Comparing to other modules available to members, 31% of those surveyed accessed gut health support, 30% accessed mental health support and 29% accessed weight management.

Benenden Health’s 2024 ‘Gender Health Gap’ campaign found 64% of women surveyed said managing the symptoms of menopause at work makes their life more difficult in the workplace. In the same study, as many as 40% of women believe their health has negatively impacted their career, citing missing important meetings, experiencing negative comments about their health and missing out on promotions and pay rises.

Proactive menopause support is taking precedent in UK workplaces, after it was found the economy could be boosted by up to £125 billion every year if changes are made to women’s health and pay equality. The landmark Employment Rights Bill, for example, will require all businesses to publish Menopause Action Plans.

Almost half (49%) of users surveyed made, or planned to make, changes to their health management because of using the app feature. One female member who used the menopause module mentioned how effective it is for ‘on-the-go’ support, “I found them informative, more in-depth than information you often get from just looking on the internet. It is good that they are bite-sized because there would be too much information to take in if you had to watch them as a 15-minute continuous video.”

Dr. Cheryl Lythgoe, Matron at Benenden Health stresses the importance of support during the menopause, “The menopause can be a difficult time for some, with hormone changes leading to symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, low mood and anxiety.

“Although a lot of our research shows that people take on the challenge of the menopause alone, it’s important to remember that this doesn’t have to be the case and it’s really important that as a society, we are able to open up the conversation to include families, friends and workplaces, so that we can mitigate the impact of the menopause in all aspects of people’s lives.

“I’m so proud that the menopause support on our app is also providing people with the timely advice and reassurance they need to navigate this health journey with confidence. I hope it continues.”

Benenden Health members also praised the menopause module for its clarity, engagement, and relevance:

• 97%of users agreed that the information provided was easy to understand.
• 85%found the module engaging.
• 85%felt the information was relevant to their health needs.

For more information about Benenden Health visit: https://www.benenden.co.uk.