Almost 75% of women in the UK are unaware that menopause can lead to a new mental illness, according to recent polling data. This lack of awareness is so significant that the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) has issued its first focused position statement aimed at enhancing understanding of the connection between menopause and mental health.
A YouGov survey, commissioned by RCPsych, which includes over 20,000 psychiatrists, discovered that merely 28% of women recognize the potential mental health impacts of menopause. Meanwhile, a staggering 93% link menopause primarily to hot flashes, and 76% associate it with a decreased libido.
This gap in understanding means many women are missing out on essential support, as highlighted in the RCPsych report. Dr. Lade Smith, the college’s president, emphasized, “Menopause can have a serious yet often ignored effect on women’s mental health. Since women represent 51% of the population and all will experience menopause eventually, it’s a societal concern. We must improve our approach.”
The report points out the mental health challenges during perimenopause, revealing notable statistics. While anxiety and low moods are frequent side effects due to hormonal shifts, the risk of developing severe mental health issues markedly increases for some women during menopause.
Women in perimenopause are more than twice as likely to develop bipolar disorder and face a 30% higher chance of clinical depression. Additionally, hormonal and physical changes can trigger relapse or lead to the onset of eating disorders, with suicide rates also spiking among menopausal women.
Dr. Cath Durkin, who focuses on women’s mental health at RCPsych, stated, “Perimenopause can pose a specific clinical threat for those with or at risk of bipolar disorder, a fact that has typically gone unrecognized.” The report also noted that women with histories of postnatal depression or premenstrual mood issues may face an increased risk of depression during menopause.
The report urges health services and governments across the UK to take immediate action for improved care. It calls for mandatory education on menopause and mental health in medical training and for workplace policies to address this intersection.
Additionally, research from University College London, published in the journal Post Reproductive Health, revealed that 58% of black women in the UK feel completely uninformed about menopause, with many considering it “psychologically damaging.” Over half (53%) reported experiencing anxiety, yet numerous women found themselves misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression instead of menopause by their GPs. Consequently, only about one in five (23%) opted for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to address their menopausal symptoms.
TV presenter and author Davina McCall expressed her support for RCPsych’s position statement, noting, “The gap in knowledge and persistent stigma hinder open discussions between doctors and patients, in workplaces, and among peers, ultimately leaving women without essential support during such a vulnerable phase of their lives.”
Janet Lindsay, CEO of Wellbeing of Women, commented, “For far too long, women’s symptoms have been either misunderstood or dismissed. We fully endorse the push for heightened awareness, integrated care, improved workplace support, and research to ensure women’s experiences are heard and validated during menopause.”
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care noted the unacceptable barriers women face in accessing care. The department is addressing this by introducing menopause inquiries into NHS health checks, renewing the women’s health strategy, and investing an additional £688 million in mental health services while adding 8,500 mental health professionals.
“Women now have a greater selection of treatments available and enhanced training for new doctors to facilitate quicker diagnoses and more effective support,” they added.
‘Nobody knew how bad things really were’
Sonja Rincón, 43
“I first visited my doctor for symptoms I couldn’t quite explain—overwhelming fatigue and persistent low mood—when I was 35. I sensed something fundamental had shifted in my well-being. The doctor’s response was to prescribe antidepressants, then adjust the dosage, and later switch to different medications altogether.
“At that time, I had no clue perimenopause was even a thing, let alone that it could lead to depression. As a single parent, I managed to care for my daughter, but it took an exhausting toll. Even the simple act of reading a newspaper or doing laundry felt monumental. I was getting by, but inside, I felt numb and would sleep whenever possible. I still went to work but contributed only the bare minimum to maintain my job.
“Nobody around me recognized how dire my situation was because I had mastered the art of appearing okay. My prior history had been free from mental health issues, so this hit me like a bolt from the blue. For seven long years, I received treatment for depression while the true cause—perimenopause—went unnoticed.
“Repeated visits to the doctor with the same complaints only reinforced my feeling of something being wrong. It intensified the negativity I was grappling with. I lost trust in my body and my own judgment.
“I started realizing I might be close to menopause when peers my age began experiencing hot flashes, which I also started having. So, I took the initiative to learn about menopause, insisted I be taken seriously, and advocated for treatment. Finally diagnosed with perimenopause last year, I began HRT. It felt like reclaiming myself after being on antidepressants for years. I’m now so well that I’ve stopped taking them completely.
“It’s crucial for GP training to adapt. If a woman in her mid-30s comes in with fatigue, low moods, and brain fog, perimenopause should be a potential explanation.
“Women like me shouldn’t continue to be dismissed because they’re deemed ‘too young’ for perimenopause. Delays in diagnosis are robbing us of years that could be avoided with better training. This is why I created the Menotracker app, to empower other women and help them navigate their symptoms more confidently.”
