Thursday October 1st 2026
Photo by Linkedin Sales Solutions (Unsplash)
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Half of women attending a Menopause Café said they were able to talk to a partner or friend about their menopause in more depth than before, finds a new report launched today by the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School.
The research into the health and wellbeing benefits of Menopause Cafés also found that 32% of attendees engaged with a healthcare professional about their menopause for the first time after attending a café.
And according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Wellbeing Index, attending Menopause Cafés improves self-reported health and wellbeing by over eight percentage points.
The first Menopause Café took place in the UK in 2017, with the aim of normalising conversations around the menopause, and to address the stigma and shame that many women feel, especially at work.
Since then, these volunteer-led, informal discussion groups have been empowering women across the world to share vulnerable experiences, reclaim their identities, and gain the confidence to self-advocate and seek further support for menopause.
Whilst the research demonstrates the grassroots success of the movement in terms of improving health and wellbeing, it also highlighted challenges such as negotiating different backgrounds and experiences, the emotional labour required of hosts and the risks of unpaid gendered labour by hosts in the workplace and social settings where Menopause Cafés take place.
This research highlights the essential role of Menopause Cafés in providing accessible menopause support and fostering open conversations about women’s health. It also provides actionable guidance for large employers reviewing their menopause provision ahead of the introduction of mandatory Gender Equality Action Plans in spring 2027.
Professor Kathleen (Kat) Riach of the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, led the research exploring the impact of Menopause Cafés on hosts and participants. An internationally recognised authority on menopause in the workplace, she has made a significant contribution to understanding how organisations can better support women’s health and wellbeing at work.
Professor Riach said: “For many women, menopause remains difficult to discuss, whether at home, in healthcare settings, or at work. Our research shows that Menopause Cafés demonstrate that these commercial-free spaces where people can share experiences, learn from one another, and gain the confidence to seek further support have a meaningful impact on wellbeing, while also highlighting the need to recognise and support the often-unseen labour involved in creating and sustaining these spaces.”
Rachel Weiss, Founder of the Menopause Café, said: “Menopause Cafes are open to anyone, regardless of gender or age, to come together to have a chat, grab a drink, laugh, cry and talk about the menopause. The menopause can be an isolating and stressful time for women, their families, friends and colleagues. Having the opportunity to meet others and talk openly can make the transition through this phase easier. Indeed, people often tell us what a lifesaver their local Menopause Cafe has been. It’s good to have this confirmed by objective research.
“However, while I started the charity nine years ago because nobody was talking about menopause, the pendulum has swung the other way, and we only hear tales of how debilitating and awful menopause is. For me, it’s about removing the stigma. We need the pendulum to balance, so that we can normalise menopause rather than ignoring or sensationalising it for others, including those yet to experience it. Surveys show that 20% of women have debilitating symptoms, 20% sail through, and the rest manage somehow with lifestyle changes or medication. Let’s have the discussions, both at home, with our friends and peers, and in the workplace, and support each other, however we experience menopause.”
Dame Kelly Holmes, who is a Menopause Café Patron, said: “This report from the University of Glasgow team is a vital breath of fresh air in showing the value and effectiveness of Menopause Cafes in supporting people who are personally or vicariously experiencing menopause.”
Scotland’s Women’s Health Champion, Professor Anna Glasier OBE, added: “Menopause is a significant life transition for women that, for some, can be challenging. There are lots of different ways to manage menopause symptoms, but we know that some people find peer support particularly helpful and it is great to see the impact of this quantified in this report.”
Based on the analysis, the report identifies Care, Connection, and Collaboration as the three primary pillars that contribute to positive health and wellbeing outcomes for participants.
It provides strategic recommendations for Menopause Café stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, and organisations, to better support these community based health initiatives through sustainable funding and formal recognition of their social value.
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