Restriction lift date: 2028-12-31
"..getting to know this changed body, mind and soul." What women's and healthcare professionals experiences tell us about menopause
Loading...
Files
Date
2025
Authors
West, Samantha
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
Introduction: Biopsychosocial factors influence how women experience and make sense of the menopausal transition. Women’s mental health is particularly vulnerable during the perimenopausal period. Healthcare and social supports may be influential in what supports women during perimenopause. While the Department of Health in Ireland has prioritised providing effective menopausal care, Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) may not possess the necessary knowledge and training to provide this care. Study 1 aimed to capture the experience of perimenopause for women in Ireland using a case formulation approach. Study 2 aimed to assess and explore HCP's knowledge, training, and perspectives towards menopause in Ireland and assess if HCP’s recognise an association between perimenopause and increased mental health difficulties.
Method: Both studies used a mixed-methods online survey design, with open and closed formatted questions, content analysis, and descriptive statistics. Patient and Public Involvement in Research processes were used, whereby experts in menopause in Ireland and members of the public joined an advisory panel to inform the design of both surveys.
Results: 772 women living in Ireland participated in Study 1. Study 1 highlighted that fatigue, insomnia/problems sleeping, and anxiety were symptoms that had a major and severe impact on quality of life. Study 1 found that recognising perimenopause was a gateway for accessing protective factors such as shared experiences, learning, and social and healthcare support. 207 HCPs participated in Study 2. Most HCPs reported they had received no training on menopause and felt they would benefit from updated training. HCPs recognised an association between perimenopause and mental health, and noted they wanted training on mental health presentations and interventions in menopause. HCPs reported barriers to providing menopausal care included a lack of HCP training and skills, and a lack of resources, services and acknowledgement from the health service.
Conclusion: The results highlight that although the perimenopausal experience for women living in Ireland is multifaceted, there are clear protective factors that the health service and society can implement and be aware of to support women through this transition. Although many women reported symptoms had a major and severe impact on daily life, access to detection of perimenopause and healthcare supports may mitigate the effects of symptoms and support the overall experience. Findings reflected that women’s access to preferred quality healthcare appeared inequitable, and this may be due to the lack of training HCPs receive on menopause and a lack of service provision, which was highlighted in Study 2. Results showed that HCPs want updated training to better support women, and in line with Irish policy to prioritise menopause, training needs to be updated to ensure better health outcomes. Mental health was noted to be impacted by both women and HCPs, reflecting that mental health assessment, formulation and intervention specific to the perimenopausal transition should be prioritised. Psychologists may be uniquely positioned to provide primary, secondary, and specialist care for women during peri/menopause in Ireland. To the researcher’s knowledge, this is the first study to apply the 6Ps psychological formulation theory to capture the perimenopausal experience and is the first study in the Republic of Ireland to explore a wide range of HCPs training and perspectives on menopause.
Description
Keywords
Menopause , Perimenopause , Mental health , Clinical psychology , Healthcare professionals
Citation
West, S. 2025. "..getting to know this changed body, mind and soul." What women's and healthcare professionals experiences tell us about menopause. DClinPsych Thesis, University College Cork.