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The research found that 30 percent wish there had been more education available about what to expect during menopause – with one in ten taking over a year to recognise the signs.

It took me a while to realise I was going through the menopause, but when I did, it honestly was a relief

Lorraine Kelly, Always Discreet Brand Ambassador

More than a third reckon menopause should be more openly discussed, while a quarter didn’t feel there was enough information readily available about it.

A metallic taste, hair loss and itchy skin were also among the health complaints women didn’t realise could be linked to menopause – until they were going through it.

Nearly two-thirds agreed menopause should not be a taboo topic, and over half admitted it is so much more than “when your period stops” – as it’s currently defined in the dictionary.

The research was commissioned by Always Discreet, which has created an online educational hub offering free menopause masterclasses designed to educate women on how best to manage their menopause.

Emma Gerrard, from P&G Fem Care, UK & Ireland said: “There appears to be a real information gap when it comes to the menopause and clearly many feel it’s simply not spoken of enough.

“But the more women speak to each other about it, the more we can demystify the experience and empower women to live it and define it, their way.

“Many believe women who go through menopause experience a few hot flushes and then their period stops.

“But it can last for many years and there are a variety of other signs some women experience which are completely swept under the carpet and not spoken about. It’s time women got talking.”

The study also found more than a quarter (28 percent) of women felt “too young” to be going through the menopause when the signs started.

While one in four (24 percent) felt apprehensive and 17 percent felt worried – although 15 percent admit it left them feeling sentimental about the past.

And 52 percent would have felt more empowered if they knew more about how to better manage their menopause.

It also emerged 67 percent admitted they didn’t realise the signs of menopause would last so long.

Despite this, more than one in ten (11 percent) said they felt more confident since going through the menopause, and a further one in 14 claimed to feel more feminine.

Just under half (45 percent) of those polled, via OnePoll, were lucky to have been able to share their experience with others to try and help them through it all.

But 54 percent said they had no one to help them through the menopause at all.

The survey also found that more than half of women didn’t realise they were going through the menopause until seven months after they first experienced signs.

Always Discreet Brand Ambassador, Lorraine Kelly said: “It took me a while to realise I was going through the menopause, but when I did, it honestly was a relief. It suddenly all clicked and what I had been going through made sense.

“I think it’s because people don’t talk about it enough and so when it does happen, you don’t recognise the signs.

“The awareness and education that Always Discreet are driving will help more women understand what is happening to them and will empower them to live their menopause their own way.”

To access the free menopause masterclasses created in conjunction with experts Over The Bloody Moon, visit here. 

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