Relationship expert shares top tips for dating during menopause for women

A quarter of women feel better about themselves since the menopause.

A survey of 1,000 women who have gone through or are currently going through hormonal changes found that 18 percent now feel able to focus on what they want for the first time, despite 24 percent dreading it.

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While 23 percent generally feel more carefree and 18 percent have more self-confidence.

It also found that of the 28 percent who are single, 16 percent are more likely to ask what they want from a relationship – because they now know themselves better than before.

The research was commissioned by Ourtime, which is partnering with Pause Live, a health and wellness event at The Grand Connaught Rooms in London, on September 14 from 9am to 6pm, with the aim of supporting women through their menopause journey.

Kate Taylor, dating and relationship expert for the over 50s dating app, said: “The menopause is a time of big change for women.

“While hormonal issues can cause a range of symptoms, it can also be a time of increased confidence and self-awareness.

“This stage of life encourages women to reevaluate what is truly important to them and who they want to spend their lives with, allowing them to better embrace their needs and desires.

“Our research has shown that women feel there is a real lack of support and education around menopause – and that is something we want to change.”

The survey found that 23 percent of single women were concerned about the impact of menopause on their love life.

Still, 26 percent admitted they had nothing to worry about: the average menopausal single has been on three dates since starting.

And 35 percent said they liked “most” of them.

It also found that 46 percent of respondents said there had been no change in their romantic relationships since symptoms first appeared.

It is encouraging that 46 percent feel confident enough to open up about their menopause experiences to the person they are seeing.

And 54 percent believe that more honest and open conversations would help men and women cope better.

Of all respondents via OnePoll, 56 percent said they were unprepared for what was to come, while 37 percent attributed this to a general lack of education.

However, 24 percent still feel there is a taboo surrounding the subject, while 22 percent claim they had no one to talk to.

The most common misconceptions about menopause were also revealed, such as not being able to get pregnant once menopause has started, the inevitable weight gain and it always causing hot flashes.

However, when it comes to the biggest benefits, 62 percent are happy to say goodbye to menstruation for good, while 29 percent are happy to no longer suffer from premenstrual syndrome.

Kate Taylor added: “We hope to empower women during this time with our Meno-Power Guide, which we have created to give women the information and support they need to make the most of this time and feel optimistic about the future.”

KATE TAYLOR’S TIPS FOR DATING DURING MENOPAUSE:

1. Find a date-friendly exercise:
Exercise is the best thing you can do during menopause – and on dates! Do social activities like dancing, tennis or hiking and invite athletic partners to join you.

2. Start a new hobby:
A hobby ensures that dating is no longer your only hobby, increases your self-confidence, expands your circle of friends and gives you more to talk about on dates.

3. Go to single events:
A fun way to meet new people of a similar age is to attend singles events. We organize meet-ups where you can meet other suitable 50+ singles in person with fun activities such as wine tasting, cooking classes or simple drinks.

4. Resist reassurance:
If you’re feeling clingy, avoid the urge to ask new partners for too much reassurance. Explain your insecurities and suggest ways they can help, such as staying in touch or addressing problems quickly.

5. Release information on a ‘need to know’ timeline:
Get to know a new love interest gradually. Sharing too much too soon can leave you feeling vulnerable when the relationship ends. For the first few dates, focus on general, lighthearted topics like books, music, and hobbies. As your relationship progresses, you can be more open.

6. Give partners space to help:
If you’ve been single for a while, it can be hard to ask for help, but a new romantic partner will likely want to help you. Share a problem, like feeling hot at night, and give them the space to come up with a solution.