Bonafide Releases 'State of Menopause' Study to Understand Symptoms, Treatments & Dispositions of Menopausal Women in 2021

NEW YORK, July 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bonafide, the women's healthcare company offering naturally powerful solutions to manage menopause, today announces the release of its first State of Menopause Study, which aggregates the symptoms, treatments, and general dispositions of over 1,000 U.S. women in various stages of their menopause journey.

Known for its portfolio of proprietary hormone-free and non-drug solutions that provide effective relief for a myriad of menopausal symptoms, Bonafide conducted this survey to further its knowledge about general perceptions women have about menopause today. With more than one billion women expected to be menopausal globally by 2025, Bonafide is on a mission to provide new and effective treatment options that are better designed to support them throughout perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause.

Key Takeaways:

• 45% of women didn't know the difference between perimenopause and menopause prior to experiencing symptoms
• 83% of respondents report not using the same menopause treatments that their mother or grandmother used - yet only 9% speak to their mothers about their menopause symptoms
• 61% of menopausal women report vaginal dryness contributes to painful sex, yet 41% of them never use lubricants or sex aids during sex with a partner

STATUS + ATTITUDES ACROSS STAGES OF MENOPAUSE
According to the State of Menopause Study, there is a lapse in education and actionable resolutions for women experiencing menopause symptoms, despite symptoms lasting up to 20 years for some. Women are likely to feel a sense of relief and happiness once confirmed to be postmenopausal, yet roughly 1/3rd of respondents have not received healthcare professional confirmation of their symptoms as they begin, continue, and cease.

• 32% of women feel there was not enough perimenopause and menopause information available before they started experiencing symptoms
• 34% of women with menopause symptoms are currently undiagnosed and 20% went 12+ months with menopause symptoms before being formally diagnosed by their healthcare provider
• 57% of women always feel understood and supported by their doctor / OBGYN
• 67% of women report their menopausal transitions hold no impact on their self-confidence, while 20% experienced a decline and 13% experienced a boost in self-confidence upon reaching their current phase
• 59% of postmenopausal women are either relieved or happy to be in their current state versus only 29% of menopausal and 19% of perimenopausal women

COMMON SYMPTOMS + PREFERRED TREATMENTS OF MENOPAUSE
Weight gain, hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, night sweats, brain fog, and bladder control issues were reported as the most common symptoms across State of Menopause Study participants. However, the methods women are exploring to treat such symptoms are evolving. After a steady decline of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRTs) over recent generations, more and more women are choosing naturally derived treatment options. Bonafide also found a sizable percentage of women who do not treat their symptoms at all.

• 73% of women are experiencing, yet not currently treating such symptoms of menopause
• 65% of women will not consider using HRTs to treat their menopause symptoms
• Vaginal atrophy, which causes symptoms like vaginal dryness and painful sex, is treatable with vaginal moisturizer, yet 68% of menopausal women have never used OTC vaginal treatments
• 15% of menopausal women are reporting experiences of weight gain,14% are reporting hot flashes and 14% are reporting difficulty sleeping, followed by 12% reporting night sweats, 11% reporting bladder control issues (i.e. sudden urges or waking up often to go and frequent bathroom trips), and 10% reporting brain fog.

MENOPAUSE + SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
When the signs and symptoms of menopause set in, women's sexual intercourse (defined as penetrative sex) with their partner(s) fizzles out. For those who engage in sexual intercourse through the stages of menopause, the State of Menopause Study indicates declines in frequency due to noted menopause symptoms as well as physical pain and dryness during sex.

• 53% of women are engaging in sexual activity with a partner(s) less often due to their menopause symptoms, while only 4% report engaging in more sexual activity
• 50% of women experience physically painful sex with a partner since the onset of menopause symptoms, and 55% of those women report dryness contributed to this pain
• 27% of women do not have sexual intercourse with their partner

Methodology
Survey participants included women across the United States between 40-65 years old who are perimenopausal, menopausal, or postmenopausal, and are experiencing menopause-related symptoms. Bonafide's research detects a lapse in education and actionable resolutions for these women, which bleeds into additional aspects of day-to-day lives.

About Bonafide
Bonafide Health was launched with a simple mission in mind: to provide women with new and effective treatment options for relief from symptoms throughout their menopause journey. Trusted by more than 9,000 unpaid health care professionals, Bonafide provides hormone-free, drug-free treatments that work using unique, naturally derived ingredients.

Bonafide®, Ristela®, Relizen®, and Serenol™ and their associated logos are trademarks of Bonafide Health, LLC. Revaree® and its associated logo are the exclusively licensed trademarks of JDS Therapeutics, LLC, the parent company of Bonafide Health, LLC. All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

To learn more visit: hellobonafide.com.

SOURCE Bonafide Health