Retail giant signposts supplements for menopause

19-Oct-2022 - Last updated on 19-Oct-2022 at 13:38 GMT

Related tags Menopause women's health

UK health and beauty retail giant Boots is collaborating with the menopause brand partner GenM to help women to identify supplements that may be suitable for them.

The retailer is introducing the ‘Menopause Friendly’ symbol which will be displayed online and in-store alongside products and services that may help with some of the signs and symptoms of the menopause.

Over 35 products on boots.com will receive this symbol at launch, including supplements like red clover isoflavones and probiotics.

According to research by GenM, only one-third (36%) of menopausal women find it easy to navigate menopause-friendly

products in-store. Nine in ten (91%) have never seen any marketing for them, and 90% wish brands were more inclusive to the menopause.

Heather Jackson, co-founder of GenM said: "We are delighted to launch this menopause-friendly symbol and are grateful to Boots for partnering with us, taking the first step in this industry changing initiative."

The collaboration comes after NutraIngredients-Europe and Cosmetics Design-Europe hosted a webinar focused on the importance of catering for those going through the menopause.

Millie Kendall, CEO at the British Beauty Council, said during the webinar that these women do not need new products but do need to be told what is currently on the market for them. Discussing supplements that might be helpful, she said gut health and sleep were definitely two areas where she could see supplements benefitting these women.

“I don’t want to take a sleeping pill, I want something that is going to help me to drift off to a natural slumber so I can see an opportunity for supplements there."

Jackson adds that the aim of this GenM initiative is to ensure women have a better understanding of the symptoms associated with menopause and the products they can take to ease them.

"We all understand the hormonal and bodily changes of this period, and are aware that it might impact their mood and behaviour. It should be the same with the menopause – you and the people around you should be ready for it. After all, you wouldn’t run a marathon in a pair of slippers. Why are we allowing so many to enter the biggest marathon of their lives physically, mentally and emotionally unprepared?”

Anne Higgins, pharmacy director at Boots, said: “There’s been so much progress in recent years in terms of menopause awareness. Our mission is to help women through every life stage and in conversations about menopause, it’s so important to highlight the different signs and symptoms and support available. We hope our new ‘Menopause Friendly’ symbol will make it even easier for women to find the support they need.”