Factors Associated With Non-Vasomotor Menopause Symptoms Experienced by 7285 Women: A UK-Wide National Survey

To investigate the factors associated with non-vasomotor menopause symptoms among women in the UK, focusing on the perceived importance of specific symptoms and their association with demographic and treatment-related factors.

A cross-sectional online survey.

UK-wide national survey conducted from February to March 2023.

A total of 7285 women completed the survey.

Participants provided anonymised demographic data and rated the importance of five menopause symptoms ('low mood', 'brain fog', 'aches and pains', 'feeling tired', and 'weight gain') using a 10-point Likert scale. The full questionnaire is provided in Supporting Information. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between symptom importance scores and specific characteristics, including age, HRT and non-HRT treatment, ethnicity, and geographical location.

Importance scores of menopause symptoms stratified by demographic and treatment factors.

Significant differences were identified in perceived symptom importance across age groups, geographic locations, ethnic backgrounds, and treatment status. Brain fog was the most frequently prioritised symptom overall. Several moderate-strength associations were observed: for example, HRT use was associated with higher importance ratings for brain fog, tiredness, low mood, and aches and pains. Ethnic minority women (Asian and Black) also gave higher importance ratings to brain fog.

The findings highlight the prominence of cognitive and psychological symptoms during menopause and the influence of demographic and treatment variables on symptom prioritisation. These results support the need for personalised and inclusive menopause care that addresses a wider range of symptom concerns beyond vasomotor issues. These findings have implications for public health policy and financial investment.