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Kenvue unveils new data demonstrating ethnicity focused variations in menopause symptoms as well as patient perceptions of menopause hormone therapy

Versalie™* data confirms menopause simultaneous symptom variation is significantly influenced by ethnicity and income, and patient perceptions differ by age group and knowledge level

September 12, 2024 — Kenvue (the Company) will present findings on symptom co-occurrence and patient perceptions of Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT) at The Menopause Society 2024 Annual Meeting, September 10-14, in Chicago.

“We look forward to sharing new science that provides useful information for clinicians, helping them understand how patients of different demographics might perceive MHT during a very transitional time. We hope this information encourages proactive conversations between patients and their healthcare providers,” said Michelle Bateson, Global Head, Self Care Research and Development at Kenvue*.

Through two new data abstracts supported by the Company’s recently launched digital platform, Versalie™, Kenvue will highlight the benefit of symptom screening to personalized menopause care and guide healthcare providers in tailored questioning, educating the next generation of women who are undergoing the menopause transition. “Versalie™ aims to assist women in understanding menopause, managing their hormonal wellness journey, and feeling more confident about their experiences,” said Benjamin Serbiak*, Director, New Ventures – Versalie™ at Kenvue. “These studies are proof that treating menopause is not a one size fits all experience and there is a greater need to educate and tailor treatment based on patient’s individual needs.”

Abstract posters will be displayed in the Exhibit Hall during the Poster Session & Reception on Thursday, September 12, 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM CST.

Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT) among Women Aged 40-65 years: Age-Based Perceptions (Poster P-73)

The study aims to provide more insights on women’s perceptions and experiences with MHT, and to explore potential age-related variations.

To identify the role of MHT knowledge on women’s attitudes toward MHT, Spearman correlations were conducted for paired symptoms at the individual level within each ethnic group. To examine the age variations, women were categorized into four age groups: 40-44 years, 45-49 years, 50-54 years, 55-60 years, and 61-65 years. Kruskal-Wallis tests then compared differences in attitudes towards MHT across age groups. Post hoc Dunn’s tests (FDR corrected) were conducted for pairwise comparisons to examine specific age group distinctions in each attitude towards MHT.

The study indicated that women aged 55 to 65 have a greater understanding of MHT, exhibit more positive attitudes towards MHT, and are more receptive to utilizing MHT compared to women aged 40 to 50.

Understanding Variations in Menopause Symptom Co-occurrences Across Ethnicity and Income Levels (Poster P-74)

This study looked at how menopause symptoms vary across different demographic groups, particularly ethnicity and income levels, by focusing on a range of symptoms including vasomotor, sleep, and cognitive symptoms along with mental and sexual health.

It found different ethnic groups experience common and unique menopausal experiences. For instance, hot flashes were accompanied by night sweats and mood swings across all ethnicities, and all ethnicities except Asian Americans also experienced mood swings. Anxiety was accompanied by depression, insomnia, fatigue and loss of mental sharpness and memory issues across all ethnicities. Native American women had more concurrent symptoms in all 14 categories other than memory loss, while Caucasian women experienced more symptoms concurrent with cognitive issues. Asian American women experienced more symptoms concurrent with irregular heartbeat than all ethnicities other than Native Americans. And finally, Hispanics noted more symptoms concurrent with changes in body odor than all ethnicities other than Native Americans

This study – conducted via online survey with respondents self-reporting their symptoms and menopause stages – also found that ethnicity significantly influences symptom experiences, informing clinical practices. Additionally, the research suggests genetic testing may enable a better understanding of ethnic patterns and genetic variability and facilitate targeted treatments for diverse groups of women.

To learn more about the data or to schedule an interview regarding the significance of these findings, please contact Kenvue R&D media relations.


*VersalieTM is a brand of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., a subsidiary of Kenvue, and. Michelle Bateson and Benjamin Serbiak are employees of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.