Many products aimed at women over 45 lack meaningful quantities of key nutrients, according to analysis by the consumer watchdog Which?. The report reveals that menopause supplements costing more than £400 a year are no better than a £22-a-year multivitamin.
Key Findings
Which? discovered that many popular supplements designed for women experiencing menopause or perimenopause lack essential nutrients, yet are priced up to 20 times more than standard multivitamins. The global menopause supplement market is valued at nearly $17 billion and is projected to reach $25 billion by 2030, as women seek relief from symptoms like hot flushes, poor sleep, and mood swings.
Nutritional Gaps
Research by Which? found that none of the supplements studied contained the correct nutrients in the right doses to effectively support menopause. Shefalee Loth, a public health nutritionist at Which? who co-led the research, stated:
“"Which? is concerned that the supplements industry has become a wild west and regulators are not doing enough to get a grip on dubious marketing and unchecked quasi-medical claims from firms apparently seeking to cash in on people’s health anxiety and insecurities."
Calcium and vitamin D are crucial during perimenopause and menopause as they support bone health, especially as oestrogen levels decline. Maintaining adequate levels of iron, magnesium, and other vitamins can also alleviate symptoms.
Comparative Analysis
Nutritionists from Which? examined the active ingredients in 26 popular supplements sold by retailers such as Holland & Barrett, Boots, and Amazon. They found that a high-quality multivitamin, combined with targeted supplements when necessary, was often cheaper and potentially more effective than an all-in-one menopause blend.
