{"id":8019,"date":"2025-06-03T15:57:23","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T15:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mutusystem.com\/en-us\/?p=8019"},"modified":"2025-06-03T15:58:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T15:58:19","slug":"menowashing-how-the-wellness-industry-hijacked-midlife-for-profit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mutusystem.com\/en-us\/uncategorized\/menowashing-how-the-wellness-industry-hijacked-midlife-for-profit\/","title":{"rendered":"Menowashing. How the Wellness Industry Hijacked Midlife for Profit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\u201cMenowashing\u201d describes the marketing practice of rebranding generic wellness or beauty products as menopause-specific, often with inflated prices, misleading claims, and no medical evidence. It\u2019s the latest iteration of the pink tax, and it\u2019s capitalising on vulnerability, rather than delivering genuine solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the menopause market forecasted to surpass $24 billion globally by 2030<\/strong> [1], businesses are racing to capitalise. But as products multiply, so do the pseudoscientific claims\u2014and women are left navigating a sea of expensive fluff wrapped in “empowerment” language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not innovation. It\u2019s exploitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd39 Moisturiser \u2192 “Hormone-Balancing Cream”<\/strong> \ud83d\udd39 Vitamins \u2192 \u201cMenopause Support\u201d Supplements<\/strong> \u201cNone contained ingredients recommended by The Menopause Society. Some contained ingredients associated with liver injury.\u201d [2]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd39 Fans and Cool Pads \u2192 “Flush Relief Systems”<\/strong> \ud83d\udd39 Soap \u2192 \u201cIntimate Cleanser\u201d<\/strong> \u201cDo not use soap or perfumed washes on your vulva. Just warm water is enough.\u201d [3]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Products marketed for “vulval hygiene” or “feminine freshness” can disrupt the natural pH, irritate skin, and worsen symptoms like dryness or itching. They don’t solve the problem\u2014they often cause<\/em> it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Menowashing isn\u2019t just a wallet issue\u2014it\u2019s a health issue. Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not just moisturisers and supplements. \u201cMenowashing\u201d has also crept into the workplace and policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n British-Norwegian journalist and menopause campaigner Mariella Frostrup<\/strong> recently accused the UK government of menowashing\u2014calling out performative actions that look<\/em> supportive but fail to deliver real change. Frostrup, chair of Menopause Mandate, argued that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe then-government could be \u2018meno-washing\u2019 rather than taking real action on menopause and women\u2019s rights.\u201d [4]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The term is now used in employment law. As Kate Palmer<\/strong>, employment services director at Peninsula, explains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMeno-washing is when an employer makes superficial promises so that they appear to support women experiencing the menopause when, in reality, they do not follow through.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n David Ward<\/strong>, partner at Blacks Solicitors, highlights the commercial dimension:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCompanies will use the menopause as a marketing strategy… it often involves using language or imagery that suggests genuine care… while the actual products may not effectively address those needs or may overpromise results.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n And perhaps the most telling quote of all comes from Dr Sarah Berry<\/strong>, chief scientist at the ZOE nutrition project:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you stick the word ‘meno’ in front of the product, you can double the price and sell more.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s talk about what\u2019s actually backed by clinical research:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc49 HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)<\/strong> \ud83d\udc49 Targeted pelvic floor and core rehab<\/strong> \ud83d\udc49 Strength training and movement<\/strong> \ud83d\udc49 Food that supports, not restricts<\/strong> \ud83d\udc49 Mental health support and community<\/strong> Ask these 3 questions before you buy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n At MUTU, we don\u2019t sell gimmicks. We sell proven, medical-grade pelvic health support trusted by the NHS and recommended by real healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We believe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What is Menowashing? \u201cMenowashing\u201d describes the marketing practice of rebranding generic wellness or beauty products as menopause-specific, often with inflated prices, misleading claims, and no medical evidence. It\u2019s the latest iteration of the pink tax, and it\u2019s capitalising on vulnerability, rather than delivering genuine solutions. With the menopause market forecasted to surpass $24 billion globally […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8021,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"blog-single.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8019","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nExamples of Menowashing in Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There is no cosmetic product that can \u201cbalance your hormones.\u201d If a cream could impact your oestrogen levels, it would be classified and regulated as a medicine. However, most of these are generic moisturisers, repackaged and relabeled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Jen Gunter, OB\/GYN and author of The Menopause Manifesto<\/em>, reviewed top-selling menopause supplements on Amazon. Her findings?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
A cold compress or fan is a helpful comfort aid. Calling it a “flush management system” and tripling the price? That\u2019s not healthcare. That\u2019s a hustle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)<\/strong> clearly states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
The Cost of Confusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Menowashing: Not Just in Products \u2014 But in Policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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So, What Does<\/em> Help?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When appropriate, HRT remains the most effective treatment for symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and low mood. It also helps reduce long-term risks like osteoporosis.
(NHS: Menopause Treatment<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Changes to pelvic health in perimenopause and menopause\u2014like prolapse symptoms, incontinence, or pain\u2014are common. Rehab that\u2019s clinically validated (like MUTU) can make a measurable difference.
(MUTU Clinical Evidence<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preserves muscle mass, improves metabolism, supports mental health, and reduces bone density loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nutritional basics matter: adequate protein, fibre, calcium, and healthy fats. You don\u2019t need a labelled \u201cmenopause bar\u201d to eat well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CBT has been shown to help with hot flushes and sleep disturbances. Connection with others experiencing the same transition is powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to Spot Menowashing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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MUTU\u2019s Commitment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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