Why Don't Women On Screen Ever Address Menopause? Survey Seeks Answers

Menopause appears in very few Hollywood films and is often shown in a wrong or humorous way, according to a new survey by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. The report, "Missing in Action: Writing a New Narrative for Women in Midlife on the Big Screen," analysed top-grossing films from 2009 to 2024 to see how midlife women are portrayed.

The study looked at 100 top-grossing films per year, identifying 225 films with a lead or co-lead woman over the age of 40. Among these, only 14 films mentioned menopause. That is just 6%.

Most of these references were short, shallow, or used as a joke. The report found that real experiences of midlife women are almost never shown on screen.

The research shows that women over 40 are often defined by their age or appearance. They are twice as likely as men to have storylines focused on physical changes or cosmetic treatments.

When menopause does appear, it is often linked to emotional instability, reinforcing the “meno-rage” stereotype. Hot flashes and other symptoms are frequently exaggerated or medically inaccurate.

Audience Views and Demand for Change

The study surveyed 750 U.S. adults to understand what viewers think about menopause in media. Two in three respondents said realistic menopause stories are important.

Younger viewers, especially women under 40 and people of colour, were most likely to say movies and TV shaped their first understanding of menopause. This suggests that audiences want more accurate depictions.

While most films treat menopause as a joke, the report notes a few positive examples. Some comedies show women sharing experiences or building connections around midlife challenges. These moments stand out because they are rare.

Why Menopause Representation Matters

The report emphasises that telling accurate menopause stories is more than entertainment. It can reduce stigma, increase understanding, and show that women over 40 are still active and capable.

According to the Geena Davis Institute, erasing menopause from film makes midlife women less visible and undervalued.

The research combines 16 years of film analysis, audience survey results, and medical review by menopause expert Dr Nanette Santoro. It provides the most complete picture to date of how mainstream movies handle menopause.

Procter & Gamble funded the study, showing growing support for women’s health and better visibility of midlife experiences. 

The report makes it clear that cinema has a long way to go. Accurate and meaningful portrayals of real women's issues are still rare, but there is strong audience demand for change.