Women experiencing menopause often face a shortage of resources to manage their symptoms. But for those living with serious mental illness (SMI), this gap is even more critical. A new scoping review published today in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society, underscores the urgent need for tailored support and psychoeducation for this vulnerable population.
Serious mental illnesses—such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, recurrent depression, severe anxiety, eating disorders, personality disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder—are chronic conditions that cause significant functional impairment. These illnesses are also linked to poorer physical health outcomes and elevated mortality rates, often due to inadequate healthcare access.
The menopause transition is widely recognized as a period of heightened vulnerability to mood disturbances, including depression and anxiety, even among women without psychiatric diagnoses. While awareness around menopause has improved in recent years, many women still report feeling frustrated by the lack of reliable information and support.
For women with existing mental health challenges, the emotional and physical toll of menopause can be especially severe. Previous studies have suggested that these women often report more intense menopausal symptoms and experience worsening mental health. For instance, women with schizophrenia may notice an increase in psychotic symptoms, while those with eating disorders may face additional struggles related to body image during this life stage.
Despite growing interest in the relationship between menopause and mental health, researchers say little work has focused specifically on women with chronic psychiatric diagnoses. The recent review sought to address this gap by examining existing studies on psychoeducational interventions aimed at helping this group manage menopausal symptoms.
Although the review identified only a limited number of relevant studies, it revealed a clear consensus: women with serious mental illness are often unprepared for the menopause transition and need specialized resources. The authors emphasize the importance of developing psychoeducation programs tailored to this population to improve both mental and physical health outcomes.
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