Abstract
Background
There is an increased risk of mood changes in perimenopause. There is evidence that patients and General Practitioners (GPs) may overlook this association and that there is a lack of confidence in managing such perimenopausal symptoms.
Aim
This study aimed to explore the experiences of clinical consultations in 1) patients in the perimenopausal age range presenting with mental health symptoms, and 2) GPs providing care to patients with mental health symptoms in the perimenopausal age range.
Design & Setting
A qualitative study was conducted with 18 women aged 45-55 who had consulted with their GP about a mental health symptom in the last 6 months and 11 GPs in the same area. Participants were recruited between February and August 2023.
Method
Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns and key insights regarding consultation practices, patient-GP communication, and education gaps.
Results
Women either did not recognise, or were uncertain, as to whether perimenopause was a factor in their mental health symptoms and felt inhibited or embarrassed about raising the issue. GPs reported variable approaches to asking about perimenopausal symptoms and acknowledged gaps in their training. Time constraints and the stigma surrounding menopause further hindered consultations.
Conclusion
Addressing mental health symptoms during perimenopause requires a proactive and informed approach in primary care. Improved GP training on menopause, coupled with patient education to increase awareness and confidence, could improve consultations and management of mental health symptoms in perimenopause.
Keywords
Menopause, women’s health, mental health
How this fits in
Mood changes are a recognised symptom of perimenopause, for which Hormone Replacement Therapy is considered a first line treatment. Recent studies have found mental health symptoms are overlooked in menopause care, which is mostly delivered in primary care. This study identifies some key barriers to identifying perimenopause in women presenting with mental health symptoms and suggests important changes clinicians could make to their consultations to address this.
There is an increased risk of mood changes in perimenopause. There is evidence that patients and General Practitioners (GPs) may overlook this association and that there is a lack of confidence in managing such perimenopausal symptoms.
Aim
This study aimed to explore the experiences of clinical consultations in 1) patients in the perimenopausal age range presenting with mental health symptoms, and 2) GPs providing care to patients with mental health symptoms in the perimenopausal age range.
Design & Setting
A qualitative study was conducted with 18 women aged 45-55 who had consulted with their GP about a mental health symptom in the last 6 months and 11 GPs in the same area. Participants were recruited between February and August 2023.
Method
Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns and key insights regarding consultation practices, patient-GP communication, and education gaps.
Results
Women either did not recognise, or were uncertain, as to whether perimenopause was a factor in their mental health symptoms and felt inhibited or embarrassed about raising the issue. GPs reported variable approaches to asking about perimenopausal symptoms and acknowledged gaps in their training. Time constraints and the stigma surrounding menopause further hindered consultations.
Conclusion
Addressing mental health symptoms during perimenopause requires a proactive and informed approach in primary care. Improved GP training on menopause, coupled with patient education to increase awareness and confidence, could improve consultations and management of mental health symptoms in perimenopause.
Keywords
Menopause, women’s health, mental health
How this fits in
Mood changes are a recognised symptom of perimenopause, for which Hormone Replacement Therapy is considered a first line treatment. Recent studies have found mental health symptoms are overlooked in menopause care, which is mostly delivered in primary care. This study identifies some key barriers to identifying perimenopause in women presenting with mental health symptoms and suggests important changes clinicians could make to their consultations to address this.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | e807-e815 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| Journal | British Journal of General Practice |
| Volume | 75 |
| Issue number | 761 |
| Early online date | 23 Jun 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 23 Jun 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© The Authors.
