A recent investigation by consumer watchdog Which? has revealed that numerous supplements marketed to women experiencing perimenopause or menopause are significantly overpriced and frequently lack effective amounts of key nutrients. Some of these products, intended to support women over 45, can cost up to 20 times more than a standard multivitamin yet offer little additional benefit.
Which? experts analysed 26 supplements targeted towards women in or approaching menopause, evaluating over 78 ingredients against the latest scientific research. Their findings concluded that none of the products provided the appropriate combination and dosage of nutrients to specifically support menopausal health.
During menopause, declining oestrogen levels make calcium and vitamin D vital for maintaining bone health. Other potentially beneficial nutrients include magnesium, iron, B vitamins, and vitamins C, E, and K, alongside minerals such as iodine, selenium, and zinc.
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The watchdog suggests that purchasing a high-quality multivitamin and supplementing with targeted nutrients when necessary may be more cost-effective and potentially more beneficial than investing in comprehensive menopause-specific blends.
For example, Asda’s A-Z Multivitamins & Minerals, costing just 6p per day (£22 annually), contains all essential vitamins plus 200mg of calcium and 100mg of magnesium.
Beyond price concerns, Which? identified many menopause supplements containing key nutrients at doses too low to be effective, a practice referred to as “fairy-dusting”. Others completely omitted important vitamins and minerals. Additionally, while many products include botanical ingredients such as black cohosh, soy, and red clover, evidence supporting their efficacy is mixed, and the doses present often fall below those used in clinical studies.
Expressing concern over the industry’s lack of regulation, Which? described the supplements market as a “wild west”, critiquing regulator inaction on misleading marketing and unchecked medical-like claims that exploit consumers’ health anxieties.
The organisation advises shoppers to look beyond promotional messages, carefully consider their actual nutritional needs, and assess whether products provide meaningful value. Higher prices do not guarantee superior quality.
Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth commented: “Navigating mid-life is tricky enough, but with so many products making big claims about how they can help, finding what actually works can be completely overwhelming, and costs can quickly escalate.
“Our research shows that despite these claims, the vast majority of these products lack the nutritional basics to address the deficiencies most likely during menopause, despite some costing hundreds of pounds a year.
“Our advice is to look beyond the marketing hype and think carefully about what you actually need. A higher price doesn’t automatically mean a product will be effective, and a cheap multivitamin might do the same job without breaking the bank.”
A spokesperson for Holland & Barrett, a retailer stocking supplements aimed at menopausal women, stated: “Our own-brand menopause products are specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs associated with this life stage. They contain meaningful, evidence-based levels of key vitamins and minerals and are not simply standard multivitamins with menopause branding.
“We believe customers should have clear, transparent information to help them make informed choices. We ensure the health benefits we communicate are appropriately substantiated and continually review our formulations against evolving scientific evidence and our own rigorous standards.”