What the Investigation Found
Which? examined 26 supplements marketed to women experiencing perimenopause, menopause or those over 45. The team cross‑checked more than 78 active ingredients against current scientific guidance. Their conclusion was stark: not a single product delivered the correct balance or dosage of nutrients needed to support menopausal health. Despite some carrying price tags that run into hundreds of pounds each year, the formulations fell short of the basic nutritional requirements most women need during this stage of life.
Nutrient Gaps and Marketing Tactics
The watchdog highlighted a practice dubbed “fairy‑dusting”, where key vitamins and minerals appear only in token amounts that are unlikely to confer any benefit. Many products also omitted essential nutrients altogether. While several blends added botanicals such as black cohosh, soy and red clover, the evidence for these ingredients remains mixed, and the doses used were often far below those tested in clinical trials.
In contrast, a standard high‑street option performed far better. Asda’s A‑Z Multivitamins & Minerals, priced at just 6p a day (£22 a year), supplied the full spectrum of essential vitamins together with 200mg of calcium and 100mg of magnesium – nutrients that are particularly important for bone health as oestrogen levels decline.
Expert Advice for Consumers
Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth urged shoppers to look past the glossy packaging:
> “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 spiral.
> Our research shows that despite these big claims the vast majority of these products lack the nutritional basics to cover the deficiencies most likely to happen with menopause despite some costing hundreds and 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 could do the same job without breaking the bank.”
The organisation also warned that the supplements market has become a “wild west”, with regulators failing to curb dubious marketing and unchecked quasi‑medical claims that exploit health anxieties.
Why it Matters
For women navigating menopause, the promise of a miracle pill can be both tempting and costly. This investigation shows that spending large sums on specialist blends is unlikely to yield any extra benefit over a modest, well‑chosen multivitamin – potentially saving hundreds of pounds each year while still meeting nutritional needs. Armed with clear, evidence‑based information, consumers can avoid costly missteps and focus on strategies that genuinely support their health during this important life transition.
