Most women can name just FOUR symptoms of menopause – how do you compare?

MOST women can only name four symptoms of menopause, despite there being dozens.

It could mean millions are none the wiser that daily issues are connected and could be treated.

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Menopause awareness is increasing, but it’s clear there is still a long way to go.

While some symptoms are talked about often, others are not, potentially because they are taboo.

It means women – who inevitably go through this transitional period – may needlessly suffer.

The results are that of a study of 1,000 women in the UK who are of menopause age.

Women can start getting symptoms between the ages of 45 and 55, called perimenopause, when periods become irregular.

Menopause is when a woman has not had a period for one year. 

The average number of symptoms women could name were four.

Hot flushes (87 per cent), night sweats (85 per cent), and emotional mood swings (76 per cent) are the three most commonly known symptoms, according to the study commissioned by sleep technology firm Simba. 

It’s a mere fraction of the 48 named by GenM, which unites brands to better support women in menopause.

And it’s despite the fact more than a quarter (28 per cent) of women in menopause grapple with over 20 symptoms per month, from mental wellbeing, skin mouth and eye problems to physical wellbeing. 

Of those surveyed, over half (56 per cent) are unaware that some of the symptoms they suffer with are linked to perimenopause.

Few respondents were aware of lesser-known indications that are all side effects of midlife hormonal changes, such as dizziness, panic attacks and dental problems.

Women didn’t know itchy, crawly skin can be caused by menopause, despite over one in six experiencing this skin sensation daily. 

Only a quarter of those who battle xerostomia (dry mouth) and knotted muscles and tension at least once a month know this to be because of menopause and perimenopause. 

Just 30 per cent of those afflicted with gastrointestinal problems and nausea know their condition to be a symptom. 

Simba, mattress provider and makers of Stratos® temperature-regulating technology, is a Founding Partner of GenM, the menopause partner for brands.

The brands said that six million women could be silently navigating a spectrum of physical and emotional shifts. 

Sam Simister, co-founder of GenM said: “The findings in Simba’s study tally with the research that we have conducted at GenM. 

“In fact, our data reveals further that – despite an increase in discussions on the topic – women’s lived experience with menopause is not improving and women are becoming more anxious about it rather than less. 

“This shows that we need more responsible brands like Simba to play their part in improving both awareness of symptoms and access to support and solutions.”