Women’s Health Concerns in the UK
Research commissioned by the Daily Mail in association with LloydsPharmacy looked into key health concerns and attitudes towards health information providers of women aged 30-80 in the UK.
Key topics to understand included, but were not limited to:
- Personal health, attitudes to health, health goals
- Sources of information and advice
- Medication and health checks taken
- Supplements and probiotics used
- Experience and attitudes relating to mental wellbeing, menopause and sexual health
The survey was conducted via Ipsos’s online global panel among a sample 2,002 women aged 30-80 years old across the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Interviews were conducted between 26th April and 1st May. Quotas were set and survey data was weighted by age and region to the known population proportions of women aged 30-80.
All data is ‘claimed’ data and is based on responses given in the survey.
Daily Mail Articles:
- Revealed: One fifth of women are unhappy with their sex lives and half make love once a month or less
- What women really worry about: The fascinating results of our women's health survey and what you should do to put your mind at ease
Survey data
If you personally had a health concern and needed information or advice, which of the following sources would you be likely to go to/ consult?
Base: All participants
|
|
Total |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
|
My GP |
83% |
|
Website connected to NHS (e.g. www.nhs.uk) |
51% |
|
General search of the web |
40% |
|
High street pharmacist |
27% |
|
NHS direct |
25% |
|
Family |
19% |
|
NHS nurse |
18% |
|
Independent pharmacist |
17% |
|
Friends |
15% |
|
Website connected to chemists/pharmacist |
11% |
|
Books |
8% |
|
Leaflets |
6% |
|
Nutritionist |
2% |
|
Newspaper |
2% |
|
TV |
2% |
|
Personal trainer |
1% |
|
Other health professional |
9% |
|
None of the above |
1% |
|
I don’t know |
1% |
You said that you would not go / consult your GP about a health concern, or if you needed information or advice. Which, if any, of the following are the reasons for this?
Base: All who would not consult GP
|
|
Total |
|
Unweighted base |
354 |
|
Weighted base |
340 |
|
It is quicker and easier to get information/ advice by other means |
44% |
|
It is too difficult to get an appointment at the GP |
38% |
|
GP surgery opening times are not convenient for me |
12% |
|
I trust other sources more |
6% |
|
My query would probably be too specialized for the GP to answer |
4% |
|
I'd be too embarrassed to seek help in person |
4% |
|
I am not registered with a GP |
2% |
|
Other |
10% |
|
None of these |
14% |
|
I don't know |
8% |
Which, if any, of the following statements best describes your current weight?
Base: All participants
|
|
Total |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
|
Under weight |
3% |
|
Normal weight |
42% |
|
Overweight |
45% |
|
Obese |
8% |
|
Prefer not to answer |
1% |
Which, if any, of the following best describe you and your relationship with dieting?
Base: All participants
|
|
Total |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
|
I always seem to be on a diet |
20% |
|
I occasionally diet (e.g. for a special occasion post-Christmas/pre summer holidays) |
43% |
|
I have never been on diet |
34% |
|
Prefer not to answer |
3% |
Which, if any, of the following statements best reflect your attitudes to the following health checks / procedures?
Base: All participants
|
Cervical screening / 'smear' test |
Total |
30 – 44 years old |
45 – 64 years old |
65 – 80 years old |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
642 |
811 |
549 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
615 |
797 |
589 |
|
I regularly seek out this type of appointment |
4% |
6% |
5% |
1% |
|
I always attend this appointment when invited |
52% |
59% |
61% |
34% |
|
I have missed this type of appointment when invited before |
10% |
13% |
13% |
4% |
|
I never attend this type of appointment when invited |
5% |
7% |
4% |
2% |
|
I am not currently required to attend this type of appointment |
22% |
9% |
13% |
48% |
|
I don't know what this type of appointment is |
0% |
1% |
0% |
0% |
|
None of these |
5% |
6% |
3% |
8% |
|
I prefer not to say |
1% |
0% |
1% |
1% |
Which, if any, of the following statements best reflect your attitudes to the following health checks / procedures?
Base: All participants
|
Mammogram (Breast cancer screening test) |
Total |
30 – 44 years old |
45 – 64 years old |
65 – 80 years old |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
642 |
811 |
549 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
615 |
797 |
589 |
|
I regularly seek out this type of appointment |
3% |
0% |
4% |
3% |
|
I always attend this appointment when invited |
46% |
14% |
62% |
58% |
|
I have missed this type of appointment when invited before |
3% |
2% |
5% |
3% |
|
I never attend this type of appointment when invited |
3% |
3% |
3% |
2% |
|
I am not currently required to attend this type of appointment |
38% |
69% |
23% |
27% |
|
I don't know what this type of appointment is |
1% |
2% |
0% |
0% |
|
None of these |
6% |
9% |
3% |
5% |
|
I prefer not to say |
1% |
0% |
1% |
1% |
How frequently, if at all, do you engage in sexual intercourse nowadays? By sexual intercourse we mean physically involved in sexual activity with another person.
Base: All participants
|
|
Total |
30 – 44 years old |
45 – 64 years old |
65 – 80 years old |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
642 |
811 |
549 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
615 |
797 |
589 |
|
More than once a week |
10% |
18% |
9% |
3% |
|
Once a week |
10% |
15% |
11% |
5% |
|
2-3 times a month |
11% |
14% |
13% |
6% |
|
Once a month |
5% |
7% |
5% |
2% |
|
Every 2-3 months |
6% |
8% |
6% |
5% |
|
Every 6 months |
3% |
4% |
4% |
1% |
|
Once a year |
1% |
2% |
1% |
1% |
|
Less often |
9% |
7% |
9% |
11% |
|
Never |
27% |
10% |
23% |
50% |
|
Prefer not to answer |
17% |
15% |
19% |
17% |
Please indicate your level of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with your sex life?
Base: All participants
|
|
Total |
30 – 44 years old |
45 – 64 years old |
65 – 80 years old |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
642 |
811 |
549 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
615 |
797 |
589 |
|
Very dissatisfied (1) |
9% |
11% |
10% |
6% |
|
Fairly dissatisfied (2) |
11% |
15% |
10% |
8% |
|
Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied (3) |
27% |
20% |
26% |
35% |
|
Fairly satisfied (4) |
19% |
24% |
20% |
13% |
|
Very satisfied (5) |
17% |
18% |
16% |
17% |
|
Prefer not to answer |
17% |
13% |
18% |
22% |
Which, if any, of the following conditions/feelings have negatively impacted on your sex life in the last 12 months?
Base: All participants
|
|
Total |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
|
Tiredness |
25% |
|
Vaginal dryness |
13% |
|
Levels of stress / anxiety |
13% |
|
Lack of intimacy with partner |
11% |
|
Discomfort / pain |
11% |
|
Erectile dysfunction |
5% |
|
Premature ejaculation |
1% |
|
Other illness |
8% |
|
Not applicable |
18% |
|
None of these |
27% |
|
Prefer not to answer |
12% |
Which, if any, of the following statements best describes your current state of health?
Base: All participants
|
|
Total |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
|
I'm in good health for my age |
39% |
|
I'm in reasonable health for my age |
49% |
|
I'm in poor health for my age |
9% |
|
I'm in very poor health for my age |
3% |
|
I don't know |
1% |
|
Prefer not to answer |
0% |
Thinking about your own health and the factors that contribute to a healthier lifestyle, which, if any, of the following are your biggest concerns?
Base: All participants
|
|
Total |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
|
My weight |
49% |
|
The amount of exercise / physical activity I do |
44% |
|
My mental health (e.g. depression, stress, anxiety) |
30% |
|
My diet |
29% |
|
My blood pressure |
19% |
|
My cholesterol level |
16% |
|
The amount of alcoholic beverages I drink |
9% |
|
The amount of cigarettes I smoke |
7% |
|
None of the above |
16% |
|
Prefer not to answer |
1% |
Which, if any, healthcare conditions do you or members of your family currently have, or have had in the past?
Base: All participants and all with a partner
|
|
Myself |
My partner / spouse |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
1401 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
1399 |
|
Alzheimers |
0% |
1% |
|
Arthritus |
18% |
11% |
|
Cancer (lung) |
0% |
1% |
|
Cancer (others, not lung) |
5% |
5% |
|
Dementia |
0% |
2% |
|
Diabetes |
6% |
8% |
|
Heart disease |
3% |
6% |
|
Lung disease |
2% |
2% |
|
Liver disease |
1% |
1% |
|
Mental health issues (e.g. depression) |
19% |
9% |
|
Osteoporosis |
6% |
2% |
|
Parkinson's disease |
0% |
0% |
|
Stroke |
2% |
3% |
|
Something else not listed |
19% |
18% |
|
None of these |
45% |
54% |
|
I prefer not to say |
1% |
1% |
For which, if any, of the following medicines that you been prescribed are you particularly worried about potential side effects for?
Base: All who take each kind of prescription medicines
|
|
Total |
|
Analgesics: reducing pain (e.g. painkillers, paracetamol, ibuprofen, codeine) |
30% |
|
Statins: e.g. lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin |
35% |
|
Hormone replacements: e.g. oestrogen-only, cyclic combined HRT, continuous combined HRT, Tibolone |
40% |
|
Oral contraceptives: e.g. progesterone-only pill, combined pill, “biphasic” pill, and “triphasic” pill |
25% |
|
Mood stabilizers: e.g. lithium and valpromide |
31% |
|
Tranquilizers: e.g. meprobamate, chlorpromazine, reserpine, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, and alprazolam |
30% |
|
Antibiotics: inhibiting germ growth |
12% |
|
Stimulants: e.g. methylphenidate, amphetamine |
37% |
|
Antiseptics: prevention of germ growth near burns, cuts and wounds |
28% |
|
Antipyretics: reducing fever (e.g. pyrexia/pyresis) |
15% |
|
Antimalarial drugs: treating malaria |
- |
Continuing to think about health checks that you can perform yourself. How regularly, if at all, do you conduct a thorough examination of your breasts?
Base: All participants
|
|
Total |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
|
Once a week |
10% |
|
Several times a month |
11% |
|
At least once a month |
22% |
|
Every two to three months |
17% |
|
Every six months |
9% |
|
Once a year |
3% |
|
Less often |
11% |
|
I never do this type of check |
15% |
|
I prefer not to say |
2% |
How confident or not, are you that you are performing this examination accurately?
Base: All who do conduct a thorough examination of their breasts
|
|
Total |
30 – 44 years old |
45 – 64 years old |
65 – 80 years old |
|
Unweighted base |
1666 |
516 |
690 |
460 |
|
Weighted base |
1666 |
492 |
679 |
495 |
|
Very confident |
10% |
6% |
13% |
11% |
|
Fairly confident |
52% |
42% |
52% |
60% |
|
Not very confident |
24% |
32% |
24% |
16% |
|
Not at all confident |
10% |
17% |
8% |
6% |
|
Don't know |
4% |
4% |
3% |
7% |
|
I prefer not to say |
0% |
0% |
0% |
- |
Which, if any, of the following conditions or feelings would you say that you personally have experienced in the last 12 months?
Base: All participants
|
|
Total |
30 – 44 years old |
45 – 64 years old |
65 – 80 years old |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
642 |
811 |
549 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
615 |
797 |
589 |
|
Stress |
40% |
52% |
40% |
28% |
|
Depression |
25% |
35% |
25% |
13% |
|
Anxiety |
34% |
44% |
33% |
26% |
|
Panic |
12% |
16% |
13% |
6% |
|
Sleeplessness |
47% |
47% |
51% |
40% |
|
Poor concentration |
24% |
31% |
27% |
11% |
|
None of these |
31% |
24% |
30% |
40% |
|
Prefer not to answer |
1% |
1% |
1% |
0% |
Which, if any, of the following, have you done to help tackle these feelings in the last 12 months?
Base: All who have experienced depression in the past 12 months
|
|
Total |
|
Unweighted base |
514 |
|
Weighted base |
500 |
|
Spoke to a GP |
45% |
|
Ate comfort food |
45% |
|
Got some fresh air/went for a walk |
37% |
|
Spoke to a friend/partner/colleague |
33% |
|
Exercised |
29% |
|
Spoke to a counsellor |
16% |
|
Went shopping |
15% |
|
Drank alcoholic beverages |
12% |
|
Read 'self-help' books |
12% |
|
Smoked/vaped |
10% |
|
Had a relaxing treatment (e.g. massage) |
8% |
|
Connected with people online |
7% |
|
Played video games |
5% |
|
Sought advice from a pharmacist |
1% |
|
None of these |
10% |
|
Prefer not to answer |
1% |
Which, if any, of the following symptoms of the menopause have you experienced?
Base: All who are going through menopause
|
|
Total |
|
Unweighted base |
288 |
|
Weighted base |
281 |
|
Hot flushes |
77% |
|
Night sweats |
63% |
|
Fatigue |
61% |
|
Mood swings |
51% |
|
Weight gain |
47% |
|
Loss of libido |
40% |
|
Irregular periods |
39% |
|
Vaginal dryness |
33% |
|
Hair loss |
17% |
|
Incontinence |
16% |
|
None of these |
2% |
|
Prefer not to answer |
- |
Have you taken any medication to help reduce the symptoms of the menopause?
Base: All who are going through menopause
|
|
Total |
|
Unweighted base |
288 |
|
Weighted base |
281 |
|
I have not taken anything |
63% |
|
I have taken natural supplements |
18% |
|
I had Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) |
17% |
|
I had other prescription medicine |
5% |
|
Prefer not to answer |
1% |
Thinking about the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements.
Base: All participants
|
|
I am very concerned about the side effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) |
The benefits of taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) outweigh the risks |
|
Unweighted base |
2002 |
2002 |
|
Weighted base |
2001 |
2001 |
|
Strongly disagree (1) |
6% |
6% |
|
Somewhat disagree (2) |
9% |
9% |
|
Neither agree nor disagree (3) |
28% |
29% |
|
Somewhat agree (4) |
21% |
17% |
|
Strongly agree (5) |
16% |
10% |
|
Don't know |
20% |
30% |
