"It's all about the money." Australian women's perspectives about menopause and the commercial determinants of health.

Abstract

With increased public attention on menopause, researchers have started to investigate the surge of commercial products and services which claim to provide solutions for menopausal symptoms. Few studies have explored the views of women about the commercial determinants of menopause. Using an online qualitative survey, this study sought insights from n = 509 Australian women aged 45-64 years about the factors that might influence the use of products and services for menopause, the risks associated with the increased promotion of commercial solutions for menopause, and the role of the pharmaceutical industry in sponsoring menopause-related women's health events. Three themes were constructed using a reflexive approach to thematic analysis. First, women perceived that commercial actors sought to exploit women's concerns to stimulate product demand through catastrophizing menopause, appearing to listen to experiences, and capitalizing on worries about ageing. Second, they stated that marketing, access, and perceived affordability of products and services intersected with lived experiences of menopause to amplify women's vulnerability to commercial tactics. Third, there were mixed views about the roles of the pharmaceutical industry in sponsoring women's health events. These ranged from significant scepticism about the motives of the pharmaceutical industry, to support for initiatives that helped increase information and awareness. This study highlights the risks associated with commercial practices related to menopause. It shows that women themselves are concerned about the exploitation of women's health for profit. It emphasizes the need for increased critical focus on the role of commercial determinants in shaping women's understandings and experiences of menopause.