New Intimina study of 4,000 women reveals the significant impact menopause has on body image, confidence and self-esteem
In recent years, menopause has become one of the most popular topics in women’s health discussions. It’s been a long time coming, but it looks like the world is finally ready to break the stigma surrounding this difficult stage of life that almost all women experience. In order to support women around the world, the public and media are increasingly covering menopause. For many people, this life stage can bring discomfort with multiple symptoms. However, this is a normal transition and should be recognized as such. It is essential for women to navigate this time with access to accurate information and support when they need it.
Intimate wellness brand to better understand how menopause affects women today intimate Survey of over 4,000 women aged 40 to 60 in the UK, Spain, France and Italy. The research focused on women who have experienced or are currently experiencing menopause and revealed the extent to which menopause changes women’s relationships with their bodies, revealing a significant crisis of confidence and highlighting the need for greater representation and support.
Menopause appears to have a huge impact on women, with women who have experienced or are currently experiencing menopause reporting feeling more negative (51%), dissatisfied (50%), critical (41%) and less confident (46%) since experiencing menopause.
Perhaps not surprising, considering the impact menopause has on women. 61% of these women are currently dissatisfied with their bodies, and 21% say they are not at all satisfied.
Physical changes cause dissatisfaction
When asked about the cause of this decline, women overwhelmingly cited physical changes. The majority said weight gain (56%) and hot flashes or other visible symptoms (50%) were the biggest factors affecting their confidence, followed by skin (28%), changes in vaginal or sexual health (22%), and muscle tension (22%). Many also noted that hair thinning, breast changes, and facial aging are particularly difficult to deal with.
Social pressure and lack of representation
The study found that these struggles are exacerbated by social pressure and lack of representation. Two in five women (41%) say they compare themselves to younger women more than they used to, and nearly four in 10 (39%) say they feel pressured by society and the media to maintain a youthful appearance. Surprisingly, more than half (54%) say they don’t see many relatable menopausal women in the media, highlighting how invisibility can exacerbate an already vulnerable stage of life.
Coping strategies and their limitations
While many women are actively looking for ways to cope, from exercise and fitness (53%) to dressing flatteringly (43%) and skincare routines (30%), nearly one in eight (12%) admit that nothing is helping them cope with these changes. Some rely on self-talk, conversations with peers, or even beauty treatments, but the overall picture is of women struggling to maintain their confidence with limited support.
Change your priorities around beauty and health
Despite these challenges, it appears that menopause can also lead to meaningful changes in values. More than four in 10 women (41%) said they are now more focused on their health than their appearance, while another 42% said they maintain an equal balance between the two. Nearly half (47%) also reported that their definition of beauty is evolving, with 26% saying they no longer care about traditional standards and 23% saying they are actively redefining their own beauty.
cultural blind spots
The cultural status quo remains grim. 41% of women believe that older women are viewed negatively in their culture, but only 14% feel that older women are valued positively. This lack of cultural awareness, combined with body changes and social pressures, has led to a decline in body acceptance. Compared to their 30s and 40s, 39% of women feel less accepting of their bodies, and only 28% say they have become more accepting.
What still makes women feel beautiful
But there are also sparks of positivity. Many women are finding beauty and confidence in new places, with 49% saying they feel most beautiful when taking care of their health and 41% believing in self-acceptance. A third said physical fitness (33%) and peace of mind (33%) played a central role, while others said they derived confidence from relationships, accomplishments and personal style.
Support that women seek
When asked how to feel better about aging, women pointed to clear solutions. 35% said they wanted better access to beauty and wellness resources specific to menopausal women, 33% said they wanted more authentic representations of older women in the media, and 32% emphasized the importance of supporting mental health and self-esteem. Just under a third also called for more open conversations about menopause. But almost one in five women (19%) say change won’t happen without resources, showing how deep-seated this trust crisis is.
Dunja Kokotovic, global brand manager at Intimina, said: “These findings reveal a sober truth: For too many women, menopause is accompanied by a loss of confidence and a deep sense of dissatisfaction with their bodies. Women are redefining beauty in an empowering way. Despite their gender, the majority of women still feel overlooked, pressured, and invisible. There is much more work to be done to ensure women feel happy and confident and represented at this stage of their lives. It’s time to break free.” We remove taboos, change the way society views older women, and provide real resources to support both body and mind. ”
The survey was conducted using a census survey of women aged 40 to 60 who had experienced/currently experienced menopause in the UK, France, Spain and Italy. Data was collected between July 21, 2025 and July 28, 2025. Census Entire complies with and employs members of the Market Research Association and follows the MRS Code of Conduct and the ESOMAR Principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Opinion Research Council.
