Menopause is a significant public health challenge for the majority of women in Denmark, according to new research from the University of Copenhagen. For the first time, researchers have conducted a nationwide survey on women's health and experiences of menopause. The researchers are surprised by the results, which highlight the need for more knowledge in this area.
97 percent of women in Denmark experience symptoms during menopause. 83 percent report at least one symptom of moderate to severe intensity, and more than one in four women (28 percent) report six or more symptoms.
Additional findings from the survey
- 54 % of women report a moderate to extremely severe symptom profile during perimenopause.
- 18 % report a severe to extremely severe symptom profile during perimenopause.
- 25 % report a severe to extremely severe symptom profile during early postmenopause (1-8 years after the final menstrual period).
- 21 % report a severe to extremely severe symptom profile during late postmenopause (more than 8 years after the final menstrual period).
This is shown by the largest national survey on menopause in Denmark, conducted as part of the research project Women in Healthy Transition (KISO) at the University of Copenhagen.
"It's an astonishing proportion of women in Denmark who are significantly affected during menopause - and we don't know enough to support them," says Associate Professor Maria Hybholt from the Department of Public Health, who conducted the study together with PhD student Sigrid Normann Biener and Associate Professor Terese Sara Høj Jørgensen.
"These are very large and surprising numbers. Our knowledge of menopause has long been insufficient because the topic has flown under the radar in both research and healthcare. That can no longer be the case with these figures," says Maria Hybholt.
Comprehensive survey of women's health
A total of 153,800 women in Denmark aged 45 to 59 responded to an extensive questionnaire about their menstrual cycle, menopausal symptoms, health-related lifestyle, and other factors.
Most prevalent symptoms
Most prevalent symptoms experienced to a moderate to extremely severe degree during perimenopause and postmenopause:
- Sleep disturbances (54 %)
- Hot flushes (43 %)
- Physical and mental exhaustion (39 %)
- Joint and muscle pain (39 %)
- Sexual problems (35 %)
This makes the survey the first of its kind nationally and the only one internationally with this scale, providing a solid foundation for understanding women's health and symptoms during menopause.
"Menopause is not a disease, but our study strongly emphasizes that it is a significant public health challenge for women in Denmark, and we must take it seriously," says Maria Hybholt.
More knowledge about the stages of menopause
Maria Hybholt wants Danish women to become familiar with the stages and symptoms of menopause.
Number of symptoms
Number of symptoms during perimenopause and postmenopause:
- 28 % report 6 or more symptoms of moderate, severe, or extremely severe intensity
- 29 % report 3-5 symptoms of moderate, severe, or extremely severe intensity
- 25 % report 1-2 symptoms of moderate to extremely severe intensity
- 17 % report mild or no symptoms
- Only 3 % of women reported no symptoms at all
"Menopause begins in the years leading up to the final menstrual period, and this phase is called perimenopause. It is often overlooked because women are still menstruating. But this phase is characterized by significant bodily changes and marked symptoms," she explains.
Although the average age of the final menstrual period is 52 years, the survey shows that 41 percent of women report being in perimenopause at age 45.
"The results highlight the different stages of menopause and that it doesn't only occur in the late 40s or early 50s - for many, it starts earlier," says Maria Hybholt.
The data also show that symptoms increase in number and intensity during menopause and peak approximately 1-2 years after the final menstrual period.
KISO is anchored at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Public Health and Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports.
Read the study: "Women in Healthy Transition (KISO) Survey: a cohort of 153,800 women aged 45-59 years living in Denmark".
In summer 2024, all women aged 45 to 59 living in Denmark - a total of 575,863 individuals - received the KISO Survey via Digital Post. Of these, 153,800 women (27 %) shared their experiences of menopause, providing unique insights into Danish women in this life stage.
The survey maps how many women are in pre-, peri-, or postmenopause, what symptoms they experience, and how it affects their quality of life.
The questionnaire survey is planned to be repeated every three years over a 15-year period to create unique insights into women's health and menopause in Denmark.
KISO also includes a long-term research project (KISO Cohort), following 200 women through menopause physiologically, socially, and personally - a unique study design enabling interdisciplinary understanding of menopause's complexity.
KISO has also initiated qualitative studies exploring challenges and opportunities women face in work and private life related to menopause, how significant symptoms affect women's self-perception and agency, and how encounters with general practitioners influence their management of menopause.
KISO will soon launch a knowledge portal where women can find evidence-based information about menopause.
Learn more at www.nexs.ku.dk/kiso
