“I was just a shell”: Mental health concerns for women in perimenopause and menopause

Abstract

AbstractEarly detection of deteriorating mental health for women who are experiencing symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause is critical to ensure the well‐being of women. Unfortunately, many women during this phase of their lives find it difficult to access relevant and timely treatment. This concurrent mixed methods study using an online survey and qualitative interviews explored Australian women's knowledge and experiences of perimenopause and menopause and specifically reports on findings associated with women's mental health. Four hundred and eleven women completed the online survey in its entirety and 25 women participated in semi‐structured interviews between April and July 2022. Survey data were analysed using SPSS and, in this article, data are presented as descriptive statistics. Qualitative interviews were analysed using thematic analysis guided by Braun and Clarke (2013; 2019). Quantitative and qualitative data specific to women's mental health were integrated into three themes: (1) increased anxiety and depression, (2) a negative impact on emotions and (3) a negative impact on self‐worth. Findings from this study will help to inform clinical services for women as it highlights the need to improve education about perimenopause and menopause for healthcare providers and women.