Survey of Women Aged 35–54 Finds 70% Report Menopause Affects Mood & Mental Health, Only 30% Seek Support
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9:00 AM on Tuesday, September 30
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 2, 2025--
A new survey of U.S. women aged 35-54 found that while menopause symptoms are common and 70% of women surveyed report effects on their mood or mental health, only three in ten have sought or received support for these challenges. This survey was commissioned by OLLY, the leading wellness brand known for innovative benefit-forward supplements, in partnership with Carrot, a global, comprehensive fertility and family care platform.
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OLLY and Carrot engaged Ipsos, a global market research firm, to conduct a survey to better understand how perimenopause and menopause affect women today and to shed light on the need for increased support and resources during an often-overlooked stage of life. The survey asked 3,000 American women between 35 and 54 years old about how prepared they feel for perimenopause and menopause and the impact it has on their lifestyle, relationships, careers and more.
In addition to the impact on emotional and mental health, the survey found that symptoms are widespread, with one-third of women experiencing menopause symptoms reporting three or more occurrences per day of symptoms, such as hot flashes. Additional findings included:
- Workplace Support Gap: Eleven percent of women aged 35-54 in the workforce are aware of formal HR benefits addressing menopause, and 64% of these women say that their workplaces offer no formal benefits through human resources. This lack of support is noticed, as 23% of women reported that a lack of offerings reflects negatively on the employer.
- Dismissed or Minimized Symptoms: Of those who have sought healthcare, three in five were acknowledged and offered options, while one in five were acknowledged but not taken seriously, and the remaining one in five were dismissed, minimized, or referred to another provider.
- Information Disconnect: While 45% of women aged 35-54 mention hearing about menopause or perimenopause-related content on social media, only 34% have heard about it in a medical setting. Twenty-two percent report finding it difficult to access reliable information about menopause or perimenopause.
- Impact on Relationships: Fifty-four percent of women aged 35-54 experiencing menopause symptoms report that menopause had an impact on their sex life or relationships, such as reduced libido (46%) and vaginal dryness (35%). In contrast, 11% of women report finding increased satisfaction.
“At OLLY, we believe that no woman should feel alone or dismissed during perimenopause and menopause,” said Hanneke Willenborg, CEO of OLLY. “These survey results reinforce just how critical it is to destigmatize this life stage and ensure women have the resources, care, and understanding they deserve. By shining a light on the emotional, physical, and workplace impact of menopause, we hope to break down barriers, normalize the conversation, and drive meaningful change for women everywhere.”
The survey underscores the need for more education and resources, particularly in the workplace. Eleven percent of women surveyed were aware of formal HR benefits addressing menopause and 14% said some form of support is offered in the workplace. In addition, roughly half (45%) of the employed women surveyed who have experienced menopause symptoms report at least some impact on their work performance, and almost one-quarter (23%) have considered reducing their work hours.
“Women want and deserve better care and it’s encouraging to see growing recognition of that need from employers like OLLY,” said Dr. Asima Ahmad, Chief Medical Officer at Carrot. “We’re proud to be closing critical gaps in access and ensuring that women have support across all aspects of hormonal care with comprehensive benefits.”
OLLY and Carrot are committed to supporting women in all phases of life, advocating for more education and resources to provide women with what they need. Last year, OLLY introduced a comprehensive employee menopause policy to support employees, including through a benefit offering from Carrot. OLLY was among the first companies to implement such policies, pioneering efforts to break the stigma around women’s wellness and fostering an open environment where menopause conversations are normalized. The policy includes access to office wellness rooms, flexible hours to accommodate sleep disruption, desk fans for temperature regulation, and a benefit offering from Carrot, including extended fertility and family care. Through Carrot, employees can receive support throughout their entire hormonal health journey, including access to a specialized network of vetted providers, hormone therapy through Carrot Rx, clinically backed educational resources, and unlimited access to virtual experts. OLLY also recently published its first clinical study on the impactful benefits of its supplement product, Mellow Menopause, further investing in their commitment to advancing women’s health research.
About the Survey Methodology
Ipsos fielded an online, self-administered, cross-sectional survey among women in the United States between August 19, 2025, and August 26, 2025. The sample was randomly drawn from Ipsos’ non-probability-based (opt-in) online panel, partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling. To participate in the survey, all respondents had to identify as women between the ages of 35-54 years old. Sampling was representative of the U.S. population of women ages 35-54 with respect to: age group (35-44/45-54, U.S. census region, race/ethnicity, education level and household income After a sample has been obtained from the Ipsos panel, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the U.S. population of women 35-54 years of age using standard procedures such as rim weighting. Findings reflect the opinion of these respondents only.
About OLLY
OLLY is a San Francisco-based B-Corp with a mission to make wellness easy to understand, so you can pursue good health without compromise. Known for its gummies, ultra softgels, and capsule supplements, OLLY brings 10 years of science-backed formulas to the supplement industry, solving common consumer needs, including mood, sleep, women's health, gut health, and more. OLLY is passionate about educating and shedding light on women's wellness as well as tackling the ongoing stigma of mental health; this includes ongoing partnerships and initiatives with The Loveland Foundation, SeekHer, Project Healthy Minds, and more. Find OLLY at major retailers, OLLY.com, and @ollywellness.
About Carrot
Carrot is a global, comprehensive fertility and family care platform, supporting members and their families through many of life's most memorable moments. Trusted by many of the world’s leading multinational employers, health plans, and health systems, Carrot’s proven clinical program delivers exceptional outcomes and experiences for members and industry-leading cost-savings for employers. Its award-winning products serve all populations, from preconception care through pregnancy, IVF, male factor infertility, adoption, gestational carrier care, and menopause. Carrot offers localized support in over 170 countries and 25 languages. With a comprehensive program that prioritizes clinical excellence and human-centered care, Carrot supports members and their families through many of the most meaningful moments of their lives. Learn more at get-carrot.com.
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CONTACT: For OLLY
Aleah Feuerborn
For Carrot
Rachel Katz
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH CONSUMER WOMEN OTHER HEALTH GENERAL HEALTH VITAMINS/SUPPLEMENTS
SOURCE: OLLY
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PUB: 10/02/2025 08:36 AM/DISC: 10/02/2025 08:35 AM
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