Hot flashes, weight gain, skin aging…
Menopause causes physical changes that affect self-esteem.
But which part of the body bothers women the most? Two studies provide the answer.
Menopause, long considered a taboo subject, has now become the subject of serious discussion in women’s health.
Numerous studies are currently focusing on this significant change. Intimina, a brand specializing in women’s well-being, recently surveyed 4,000 women from various countries (Spain, the UK, France, and Italy) to find out how menopause affects their body image, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
The result: 61% of menopausal women report dissatisfaction with their appearance. The main causes of dissatisfaction include weight gain, hot flashes, and skin conditions.
This study is a continuation of a September 2023 Ifop study, initiated by the pharmaceutical company Humasana and the FLASHS agency. It focused on French women over 50 and revealed a sense of anxiety related to physical changes during this period. For example, 9 out of 10 women surveyed reported experiencing aging-related complexes.
ELLE invites you to the second edition of its Masterclass: tips and solutions for navigating menopause well. Learn more here!
And the part of the body women are most ashamed of is…
However, according to this study, 89% of women over 50 have insecurities related to aging in at least one area. According to the study, the belly seems to be the part that holds French women back the most (75%). Moreover, 6 in 10 women (compared to 5 in 2007) would like to work more effectively on this area to limit the effects of aging. In second and third place are the arms (64%) and the face (61%), which are also sources of serious insecurities. The least paid attention to body parts are the buttocks and legs (42% each).
It’s important to recognize that these inevitable physical changes can have a direct impact on women’s mood. One of the most common symptoms the study identified is postmenopausal weight gain, which was experienced by 75% of women. Of these, 39% felt this affected their mood. Although 82% of women surveyed reported the appearance of wrinkles and signs of aging, they were significantly more susceptible to other menopause-related factors. In fact, only 17% of those surveyed experienced the effects of wrinkles.