ROCK ICON Tina Turner has simply the best attitude to life at a time when most women are going through the menopause, a new study reveals today.
ROCK ICON Tina Turner has simply the best attitude to life at a time when most women are going through the menopause, a new study reveals today.
The 61 year-old singer tops a poll of women most admired for getting on with life during the years when many women experience menopausal symptoms.
Close on Tina's high-heels are British stage supremo Dame Judi Dench and Hollywood actress Goldie Hawn, in the 'Managing the Menopause' research commissioned by Norwich Union Healthcare.
Of the seven and a half million women* who suffer menopausal symptoms, two in five say their partner was unsympathetic when they were undergoing the menopause.
A third of women also felt that if their husband or partner understood what they were going through, it would have made the whole experience much easier.
The research, which looked at both male and female attitudes to the menopause, shows that men reject the idea of a 'male menopause' - with two thirds of men denying its existence. However three in five men suffer typical menopausal symptoms such as sleepless nights and aches and pains.
The 'Managing the Menopause' survey also reveals:
- Nine in ten menopausal women have suffered uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flushes or insomnia
- Women would rather talk to their friends or doctor about the menopause than to their partner
- Three in five men say their partner's mood swings were the hardest thing to cope with during the change
- Two in five women and one in three men think women should be given extra time off work during the menopause
- Both women and men feel the menopause is the third most taboo issue in society, after death and sex
In response to the need to provide both women and their partners with realistic information and advice about the menopause, Norwich Union Healthcare has produced a guide called 'Managing the Menopause'.
The free guide is designed to give people practical information and advice on how best to survive the common physical and lifestyle changes during the menopause, such as alternative remedies, diet and exercise and who to contact for advice and guidance.
Dr. Doug Wright, of Norwich Union Healthcare, said: "Each woman's experience of the menopause is different, yet many women feel their lives have come to an end.
"However for decades women have proved that life can be as exciting as ever, and continues to be as enjoyable and fulfilling. Our research also highlights the fact that women feel that their partners and family need to be better informed about the menopause, and we hope this guide is a good resource for women - along with the support of their GP and other support groups - when discussing their experiences with others."
To request a free copy of Norwich Union Healthcare's 'Managing the Menopause' guide call Freefone 0800 200 203.
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*Source: Office for National Statistics and General Register Office for Scotland
Notes to editors
- Norwich Union Healthcare commissioned Brand and Issues to conduct an independent survey of 250 men and 250 women between the ages of 45-70. The survey was carried out in May 2001.
- Norwich Union Healthcare was founded in 1990 as the healthcare arm of Norwich Union and now provides a range of income protection and private medical insurance products to around 675,000 customers. It is one of the largest providers of income protection and private medical insurance in the UK.
- CGU and Norwich Union merged on 30 May 2000 to create CGNU plc - the world's 6th largest insurer, the UK's largest insurance group and one of the top-five life insurers in Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world.
CGNU's principal business activities are long-term savings, general insurance and asset management with worldwide premium income and retail investment sales of Ł26 billion and assets under management of more than Ł200 billion
- Norwich Union's news releases are available on the internet at www.cgnu-group.com
The combined life and pensions, general insurance and retail fund businesses in the UK operate under the Norwich Union brand, while the institutional business operates under the Morley Fund Management brand.
For further media information, contact Anja Kueppers or Jane Wheeler at QBO on 020 7379 0304 or Louise Zucchi at Norwich Union Press Office on 08703 66 68 60