A consumer watchdog analysis has raised concerns about the menopause supplement market, which is valued at nearly $17bn globally and projected to reach $25bn by 2030. The investigation examined 26 popular supplements sold by major retailers and found that expensive menopause-specific products frequently underperformed compared to standard multivitamins at a fraction of the cost.
Researchers identified calcium and vitamin D as particularly important nutrients during perimenopause and menopause due to their role in supporting bone health as oestrogen levels decline. Other nutrients such as iron and magnesium can also assist with managing associated symptoms. However, the analysis found that none of the supplements studied contained the correct combination of nutrients in appropriate doses to substantiate their menopause-related claims.
Comparisons revealed significant price disparities with limited additional benefit. A standard multivitamin costing 6p daily contained all essential vitamins along with meaningful quantities of calcium and magnesium, while some specialized menopause supplements costing over £1 per day lacked these key nutrients entirely or contained them in insufficient amounts. The highest-rated menopause product examined cost 93p daily but still commanded a price more than 15 times higher than the budget alternative.
Experts expressed concern that inadequate regulatory oversight has enabled questionable marketing practices and health claims. A separate University College London study of 201 supplements found that fewer than half contained both vitamin D and calcium, and most ingredients were not specifically recommended by major menopause societies. Industry representatives countered that their products address specific nutritional needs associated with this life stage and contain evidence-based ingredient levels.
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