Menopause supplements costing more than £400 a year ‘no better than cheap multivitamin’

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-30T06:11:07.035Z • Permanent link

Regulators in the UK have launched a probe into the menopause supplement industry, following a damning report from consumer watchdog Which?. The investigation centers on products marketed to women over 45, with some costing over £400 per year. The report found that many of these supplements fail to deliver meaningful quantities of key nutrients, with some containing as little as 50% of the recommended daily allowance. For example, a supplement marketed by Swiss-based company, MenoXXi, contained a mere 20mg of isoflavones, a compound often touted as beneficial for menopausal symptoms. The product, which was available in the UK for £69.99 per month, was deemed "no better than a cheap multivitamin".

Investigations by Which? also revealed that some manufacturers are making unsubstantiated claims about their products, with some labeling their supplements as "clinically proven" when no such evidence exists. One such product, marketed by US-based company, Estroven, contained a list of ingredients that included a blend of "phytoestrogens", a term often used to describe plant-based compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen. However, Estroven's own website failed to provide any scientific evidence to support the use of these compounds for menopausal symptoms. The company's CEO, Steven M. Glikin, has been accused of making false claims about the product's effectiveness.

The probe has also raised concerns about the lack of regulation in the menopause supplement industry. In the UK, supplements are subject to a voluntary code of practice, rather than stricter regulations. Consumer watchdogs have long argued that this lack of oversight has led to a proliferation of low-quality products on the market. The investigation is expected to shed light on the industry's lack of transparency and accountability, and may lead to greater scrutiny of the menopause supplement market.

The investigation into the menopause supplement industry has significant implications for the broader AI & Tech Ecosystems domain. Many companies, including tech giants and pharmaceutical firms, have invested heavily in the development of menopause-related products and services. These companies have been relying on the success of these products to drive growth and revenue. The revelation that many of these products are of little value has the potential to disrupt this market, leading to significant financial losses for affected companies. Research communities and markets may also be impacted, as the lack of quality products could lead to a decline in investment and interest in menopause-related research.

The investigation has also raised questions about the role of social media influencers in promoting menopause supplements. Many influencers have been accused of making false claims about the benefits of these products, often in exchange for payment or other incentives. The probe has highlighted the need for greater regulation of the influencer marketing industry, to prevent the spread of misinformation and protect consumers. Affected companies, including pharmaceutical firms and tech giants, must also be held accountable for their role in promoting these products.

The investigation into the menopause supplement industry is part of a larger pattern of regulatory scrutiny in the health and wellness space. In recent years, regulators have been cracking down on the sale of unproven health supplements, including CBD oil and vitamin products. This trend is part of a broader shift towards greater regulation of the health and wellness industry, driven by concerns about consumer safety and product quality. The investigation into the menopause supplement industry is also part of a broader conversation about the need for greater transparency and accountability in the industry.