£400 Menopause Supplements No Better Than £22 Multivitamin
Analysis by consumer watchdog Which? finds many popular menopause supplements lack key nutrients despite high costs, with the global market valued at nearly $17bn
Menopause supplements costing over £400 a year are no better than a £22-a-year multivitamin, according to an analysis by the consumer watchdog Which?. The global menopause supplement market is valued at nearly $17bn and is expected to reach $25bn by 2030, as women look for ways to manage a variety of symptoms associated with menopause.
The analysis found that many popular supplements lack meaningful quantities of key nutrients despite high costs. For example, Love Mushrooms’ Empower costs £1.33 a day for a two-tablet dose, which works out to £485 a year, but does not contain menopause-specific nutrients such as magnesium and calcium.
In contrast, Asda’s A-Z Multivitamins & Minerals costs 6p a day, or £22 a year, and contains all essential vitamins plus 200mg of calcium and 100mg of magnesium. Another supplement, Wild Nutrition’s Women’s 45+ Daily Multi Nutrient, costs £1.27 a day, or £468 a year, but contains just 1.5µg of vitamin D, 60mg of calcium, and 30mg of magnesium, which are lower than the recommended daily amounts by the NHS.
## Why it matters The findings of the analysis are significant, as many women rely on supplements to manage menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep, and mood swings. Calcium and vitamin D are particularly important during perimenopause and menopause, as they support bone health as oestrogen levels decline. Maintaining good levels of iron, magnesium, and other vitamins and minerals can also help with symptoms.
The analysis by Which? suggests that a high-quality multivitamin alongside targeted supplements where needed may be a more effective and cheaper option than a so-called all-in-one menopause blend. The consumer watchdog is concerned that the supplements industry has become unregulated, with firms making dubious marketing claims and cashing in on people’s health anxiety and insecurities.
## What happens next The findings of the analysis are likely to have implications for the menopause supplement industry, which is expected to continue growing in the coming years. As women become more aware of the lack of regulation and the potential ineffectiveness of some supplements, they may be more likely to seek out cheaper and more effective alternatives. The NHS and other health organizations may also need to review their guidance on menopause supplements in light of the findings.
