Breaking the Silence: The Taboo Menopause Symptom Affecting Half of UK Women

Perimenopause and menopause are natural phases in a woman's life that are inevitable. However, while most women are aware of hot flushes, sleep disorders, and mood swings as common symptoms of menopause, they may not be aware of a less well-known symptom, vaginal dryness, migraines, memory issues. Nearly half of the women in the UK are living in silence during their menopause journey, ignoring symptoms and living in day-to-day discomfort, according to a recent survey by Replens.

Replens, the number one GP recommended vaginal moisturiser brand, has partnered with TV presenter Anna Richardson to raise awareness and break stigmas around vaginal dryness.

Vaginal dryness is a debilitating symptom that affects quality of life, causing discomfort in the vaginal and pelvic regions. Women with the condition experience burning, loss of libido, pain during sexual intercourse, soreness, recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs), and vaginal itching or stinging. This symptom can have a significant impact on a woman's mental health and personal relationships. The brand is helping to raise awareness, break stigmas, and normalize conversations about vaginal dryness.

Best known for her broadcasting work with Naked Attraction and The Sex Education Show, TV presenter Anna speaks honestly about her own menopause journey whilst juggling her career, health, and personal relationships. 

Anna comments: “I started to go through my perimenopause journey when I  was 46 years old, and it had a significant impact on me psychologically. I had highs and lows with my mood and became quite forgetful – being a TV Presenter expected to remember scripts, interviewees' names, and be good with my words, I did find it challenging to overcome this, and really be ‘me’ on TV.  I have had to overcome the physical impacts of menopausal symptoms, which definitely takes a toll on my everyday life – I’m still going through it; feeling tired, with aching muscles and joints, and often there are times where I just don’t want to do anything at all. 

Your body is going through so many changes, sometimes it is hard to tell the symptoms apart or understand just exactly what is happening - particularly with the vaginal dryness symptom which, sadly, many women don’t really get the chance to discuss openly. I have experienced this myself and can understand what many women must be thinking or feeling, and what I do know now, is that you don’t have to suffer in silence and go through it alone.  There are many treatment options available, particularly over the counter like Replens, to help relieve symptoms and have lasting effects so you don’t have to live in discomfort every day.  

After hearing other women share their journey and wanting to help others who have had similar experiences to mine, I'm getting my confidence back. I now feel empowered to share my experience and take back control of my health. Working alongside Replens to normalise the taboo around menopausal symptoms like vaginal dryness is  going to help many women feel more knowledgeable and comfortable in understanding what their body is going  through and I am happy to say I can be a part of it.”

 The Silent Problem

The research was commissioned by Replens to highlight National Women’s Health Week (8th-14th May 2023), revealing that women are living in silence with vaginal dryness symptoms, choosing to live in day-to-day discomfort because they feel their symptoms are not serious enough to bother a healthcare professional. Sadly,  women feel the need to ignore vaginal dryness symptoms, accepting that it is just a part of menopause – accentuating the stigma around discussing vaginal dryness as an important menopause symptom.   

Over a third of women surveyed (36%) are living in discomfort, admitting to ignoring vaginal dryness – over half of women (53%) have accepted that they must put up with this as a part of the menopause journey. As well as this, just under half of women (43%) are too embarrassed to buy a product for their symptom, or to ask for advice from a medical professional.  

With such a high number of women experiencing problems related to vaginal dryness, there is a clear need to break down conversation barriers surrounding ‘The Silent Problem’. Shockingly, nearly 70% of women (68%) have never discussed vaginal dryness with a healthcare professional, to actively seek the appropriate treatment they need to help relieve their symptoms. One anonymous respondent sadly admitted they did not think their symptoms were serious enough to bother a healthcare professional, alluding to the fact that women think other people have more urgent problems and are not putting themselves first. Moreover, 44% of women agreed - highlighting vaginal dryness as an underrated menopause symptom.  

Vaginal dryness does not need to be treated as an inevitable part of growing older – there are accessible treatment solutions to empower women and help them lead more comfortable, intimate lives day-to-day. 

In line with National Women’s Health Week 2023 (8th – 14th May), Replens is working in collaboration with Rest Less; the UK’s fastest-growing digital community for over 50’s who support and inspire the generation across careers, body, lifestyle, and health, to host the nation’s biggest live conversation and invite you to join us. The aim - to break the taboos around the “The Silent Problem” of vaginal dryness and help to raise awareness and normalise the conversation.  

To join the nation’s biggest conversation, visit the Rest Less events page here.