Results from our 2025 Peri/menopause Survey
In 2025, more people than ever are talking about perimenopause and menopause…but are we really listening? To find out, we asked over 2,500 women across Ireland to share their lived experiences. The results are eye-opening, validating, and at times, deeply concerning.
This comprehensive national survey highlights not only how widespread menopause symptoms are, but also how poorly supported many still feel — in healthcare, at work, and even socially. It also shows clear demand for change, with strong calls for better education, more robust workplace policies, and stronger government action.
Let’s take a closer look at the key findings from our 2025 Perimenopause and Menopause survey among 2,555 participants.
Menopause is a life stage often shrouded in confusion and silence
There are 652,000 women in peri/menopause in Ireland. While public awareness is improving, for many women, perimenopause still arrives like a storm with no warning. Despite increased media attention and the rise of online communities, the majority of respondents said they simply weren’t ready for what hit them.
This lack of preparedness isn’t just about medical knowledge, it’s rooted in a long-standing cultural silence. For generations, menopause was something whispered about, if mentioned at all. Many women are therefore left with few points of reference and even fewer tools to manage it.
66% of women felt unprepared for peri/menopause
57% said menopause remains more than a little taboo
Yet 95% believe it is now more acceptable to talk about than in the past
This signals a positive shift, with more openness, but also reveals a gap between the public conversation and personal understanding.
The hidden impact of symptoms
One of the strongest messages from the survey is just how wide-ranging and disruptive the symptoms of menopause can be, not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and socially.
A staggering 98% of women reported symptoms, with 34% classifying their symptoms as ‘severe.’
Top symptoms included:
Brain fog / memory issues (81%)
Fatigue (73%)
Anxiety (71%)
Loss of confidence (60%)
Insomnia (57%)
For some, these symptoms aren't just inconvenient, they’re debilitating.
Work isn’t always a safe place to talk about menopause
Despite 420,000 peri/menopausal women being in the workforce, many feel unsupported when it comes to managing their menopause symptoms in a professional setting. In fact, silence is still the norm.
77% of women don’t tell their employer the real reason for menopause-related absences
A whopping 32% have stepped back from promotions due to their peri/menopause symptoms
29% have reduced their working hours
36% even considered giving up work entirely, with 8% actually giving it up
50% say menopause symptoms influenced their job satisfaction or desire to change employers.
The public wants policy, education, and accountability
If one message comes through loud and clear, it's this: people want structural change. From the workplace to the school system, there is a resounding call for education, support, and visible action.
83% believe menopause education should be mandatory in workplaces
72% want a dedicated menopause policy at work.
75% want HR and management menopause training
95% support free access to HRT, which has now been implemented
67% believe the biggest public knowledge gaps are around symptoms, treatment options, and workplace supports
There’s a clear vision here: one where menopause is not a barrier, but a life stage that’s supported openly, respectfully, and practically.
This survey tells a powerful story. Behind every number is a person navigating change, often in silence, often while holding down jobs, caring for families, elderly relatives, and pushing through without the support they need.
But there is hope in these findings too. Awareness is rising. People are talking. And more importantly, they’re asking for better.
It’s time we listened.