By: Talking Nutrition Editors
Phenology, a pioneering women's health brand under healthtech leader and dsm-firmenich-backed venture, Hologram Sciences, has conducted a comprehensive survey of more than 32,000 women to delve deeper into their menopause experiences across different stages. As featured in Forbes, the study findings paint a vivid picture of the diverse experiences women have of this complex transition and reveal new insights that can transform care.
Most astonishing was the discovery of more than 15,000 unique menopause symptom signatures in the data set. In other words, among the 32,000 women surveyed, very few were likely to be experiencing the exact same set of symptoms out of a total of 16 symptoms measured.
"It's comparable to a gene sequence for menopause – each woman has a unique symptom signature," says Nate Matusheski, PhD, Chief Science Officer of Hologram Sciences and the study author. "This underscores the absolute need for personalized solutions tailored to individual experiences."
Further, the study revealed that timing of menopause can vary just as much as symptoms, with marked differences in the age at which women enter each stage. Age 50 was in the 25th-75th percentile range for four different stages: early perimenopause, late perimenopause, early postmenopause and late postmenopause. That means that at 50, some women are starting their journey in early perimenopause while others are already in late postmenopause. This finding illustrates that there is no standard timeline for the menopausal transition, which can last between 7 and 14 years.
On average, women reported experiencing 9 different symptoms at the same time. This count increased from 8 in the late reproductive stage to 11 during late postmenopause. Surprisingly, the early perimenopause stage was dominated by emotional symptoms, with 72% of women reporting mood swings, 70% feeling anxiety, 67% experiencing irritability, and 60% indicating a depressed mood. By contrast, only 49% reported hot flashes in this stage. It's essential to understand that these emotional changes might be caused by hormonal shifts so that women can seek proper care.
While menopause is technically defined as the point in time 12 months after a woman's last menstrual period, the Phenology study found that women in late postmenopause had the highest incidence of hot flashes (73%), night sweats (68%), brain fog (77%), and insomnia (70%). Sexual issues also intensified in this phase, with 62% of women reporting low libido and 52% noting vaginal dryness, which can lead to painful intercourse. Given the severity of symptoms in this stage, the term "post" doesn't adequately describe women’s actual experience.
These new findings call for a comprehensive rethinking of menopause care, with an emphasis on the kind of real-time personalization that today’s technology enables.
“It’s clear that a one-size-fits all approach can’t adequately address the dynamic journey of menopause,” said Sarah Montante Garcia, Hologram’s Chief Marketing Officer. “That’s why it’s so important to arm women with insights about their individual hormones and symptoms, and to provide personalized care, exactly what Phenology was designed to do.”
Phenology encourages every woman to educate herself about the menopausal transition and to actively communicate with healthcare providers for optimal relief. Releasing this study underscores the brand's dedication to enhancing the scientific understanding of menopause, paving the way for meaningful innovation.
About Phenology:
Phenology is the modern solution to menopause, offering personalized, hormone-free relief through each stage and symptom. Our mission is to empower women with individualized insights, science-backed solutions and tailored support. We offer a full range of naturally powerful supplements and relief products, as well as a free symptom-tracking app and one-on-one coaching for subscribers. Phenology is the flagship women's health brand from Hologram Sciences, a pioneering healthtech company reimagining the future of personalized wellness. Available at www.myphenology.com and in Vitamin Shoppe stores nationwide.
About Hologram Sciences:
Hologram Sciences is a consumer-facing health tech company that helps people get healthier through innovative personalized nutrition solutions. Backed by dsm-firmenich, Hologram Sciences brings together the latest evidence-based supplementation, pioneering technology, and habit-building techniques to create holistic, truly customized offerings that drive deep and lasting consumer relationships. Hologram Sciences is passionate about helping people overcome obstacles to feel better every day; grounded in transparency, proven clinical science, and committed to creating products and an organization that are fully inclusive and equitable. More information can be found at www.hologramsciences.com
10 November 2023
4 min read
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