Menopause moves from taboo to trillion-dollar market as companies target women’s health

Menopause, historically kept out of public discourse, is now attracting unprecedented media attention and commercial interest, creating a market estimated at €535 billion. The boom includes a wide array of products and services—books, podcasts, digital trackers, supplements, cosmetics, specialized clothing and wellness retreats—many of which lack solid scientific validation. Scholars note that this commercialization is not just meeting demand but actively defining what counts as a menopausal problem and prescribing consumer-driven solutions.

Demographic shifts, with over a billion women expected to be post-menopausal by 2030, have drawn companies to this previously ignored consumer segment. The rise of the “responsible consumer” narrative encourages women to self-manage their transition, but also shifts responsibility away from collective health systems. Social media amplifies both genuine support networks and aggressive marketing, blurring the line between information and advertisement. Critics warn that without stronger regulation, misleading claims could harm vulnerable women, underscoring the need for clearer scientific standards and consumer protection.