Millions of women across the UK are being swept up in what researchers from University College London describe as a “menopause gold rush”. The trend refers to the rapid growth of unregulated products, influencer-led advice, and commercial services that promise relief from menopause symptoms but may instead be harming women’s well-being.
Researchers from UCL’s Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health said the menopause marketplace has become dominated by profit-driven companies and online personalities, often offering conflicting or misleading information. They warned that this commercialisation risks worsening misinformation, financial exploitation, and health inequality among women in mid-life.
According to their findings, only 22% of women in a national survey said they felt “well informed” about the menopause. More than half described themselves as only “somewhat informed”, while around one in five said they were “not at all informed”. Nine in ten respondents supported the creation of a free, national education and support programme on menopause.
Many participants said they would prefer this programme to be delivered through weekly sessions, either online or in person. They also wanted it to include myth-busting content, practical advice, and up-to-date scientific evidence.
Lead author Professor Joyce Harper said that menopause often arrives at a “crunch point” in women’s lives, when career pressures, family responsibilities, and caregiving demands overlap. Without reliable information and emotional support, she explained, this period can have serious effects on mental health and self-confidence.
The researchers highlighted the rise of commercial hormone testing, unregulated supplement sales, and influencer endorsements as major causes for concern. They said private companies have increasingly entered the menopause space, offering advice and treatments for profit without sufficient medical oversight.
Dr Shema Tariq of UCL, one of the report’s co-authors, described this as a “perfect storm” where women are encouraged to spend money on products that lack proven benefits. She added that the combination of confusion and unrealistic expectations can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and frustration, especially for women already experiencing emotional changes linked to menopause.
Experts also noted that many online services promote “hormone balancing” tests or personalised therapies that are not clinically justified. These can divert women from evidence-based care and may delay access to appropriate medical or psychological treatment.
Menopause is widely recognised for its physical symptoms such as hot flushes, sleep disruption, and changes in metabolism. But researchers stress that mental health effects are often overlooked. Symptoms such as mood swings, brain fog, and low motivation can significantly affect quality of life. Without appropriate guidance, these psychological challenges may worsen, particularly when women feel isolated or uncertain about which advice to trust.
The UCL team called for a national education and support programme that is accessible, evidence-based, and inclusive. They said such a programme should offer clear information about physical and psychological symptoms, provide guidance on treatment options, and create a safe space to discuss the emotional impact of menopause on work, identity, and relationships.
They also urged policymakers to ensure that the programme reaches women from all backgrounds, including those in marginalised communities who may face greater barriers to healthcare and reliable information.