Menopause: Myths and Mental Health

Menopause: Myths and Mental Health
Pain, Power and Psychology

This year’s Menopause Awareness Day focuses on chronic pain in midlife, with a call to action to recognise the role menopause can play alongside wider issues relating to pain and women’s health. Highlighting the inequalities women may experience in the recognition and treatment of pain being under researched and cared for, the awareness day prompts recommendations for support in a white paper. This topic also highlights a deeper imbalance of power in the provision — or lack of provision — of holistic, continuous and inclusive healthcare for women throughout menopause and beyond.

In my work as a psychosexual and relationship therapist, alongside my role as a mental health educator with the team at Maudsley Learning, the under-resourcing of women’s health has long been apparent. From reports on perinatal mental health, which highlight how women’s voices can go unheard during childbirth, to the training I undertook with the British Menopause Society in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for menopause, I have become increasingly aware of the myths and inequalities that shape women’s experiences of healthcare. This training explored the many misconceptions surrounding menopause, while also highlighting in discussion how this life transition can expose wider inequalities and discrimination across dimensions including sex, gender, race and age.

Raising awareness of menopause is essential to addressing these inequalities, challenging existing power imbalances and supporting wellbeing more effectively during this stage of life and beyond.

Below are three helpful resources to support understanding, challenge common misconceptions and promote evidence-informed approaches to menopause and mental health:

• Common myths about menopause and wellbeing: A summary of five prevalent myths and their links to mental health, with the aim of challenging misconceptions and reshaping the narrative around menopause.
• Therapeutic takeaways from CBT: Four key therapeutic insights exploring approaches to managing stress and anxiety, hot flushes and night sweats, and sleep difficulties.
• Signposting to resources: A collection of reliable resources underpinning the information shared across these materials, alongside a link to this year’s Menopause Awareness Day.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Low 5: Breaking down five top myths of menopause
• Therapeutic 4: Four key takeaways to support your experience of Menopause and Mental Health
• Signposts for Next Steps: Trusted resources for menopause, mental health, work and relationships