Key takeaways
Coroners highlight gaps in menopause-related care
Reports reveal missed opportunities to support mental health.
Employers urged to address workplace menopause risks
Proactive policies can reduce stress and prevent harm.
Mental health and menopause need joined-up action
Better awareness and training can save lives and careers.
A growing theme in inquests is the insufficient recognition of menopause symptoms and their significant impact on women’s mental health. Recent cases highlight how the hormonal changes associated with menopause can contribute to severe mental health issues, including depression and self-harm, yet gaps in clinical knowledge and service provision persist. Coroners are increasingly using Regulation 28 reports (Preventing Future Deaths or PFDs) to draw attention to these deficiencies and advocate for systemic improvements in care and understanding.
Menopause and mental health in inquests
Several inquests have brought attention to the interplay between menopause and mental health deterioration. In January 2024, the Senior Coroner for Stockport issued a PFD report to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care following the inquest into the death of a woman whose mental health had deteriorated significantly before her death. The Coroner noted that evidence from the family suggested her deterioration was, in part, due to menopause. The report emphasised that earlier and more effective interventions could have been achieved had there been better awareness of menopause as a factor in mental health decline and appropriate support in place.
Similarly, in a 2024 Somerset inquest, the Coroner found that inadequate training and a lack of joined-up care contributed to the suicide of a woman experiencing perimenopausal symptoms. Despite being prescribed HRT, her mental health continued to deteriorate, exacerbated by insufficient integration between menopause care and mental health support. The Coroner highlighted how clinicians demonstrated greater awareness of postnatal depression than menopause, underscoring the need for parity in understanding hormonal influences on mental health.
A 2021 Southampton case further illustrated these gaps. Here, the Coroner criticised clinicians for failing to consider menopause as a potential factor during an inpatient admission for depressive symptoms. While hormonal influences had been recognised in earlier postnatal depression treatment, this awareness did not extend to menopause, demonstrating an ongoing disparity in clinical knowledge.
Bridging the gap through PFDs and broader change
These cases, and the PFD reports they have generated, underscore a critical need for greater awareness and integration of menopause-related factors into mental health care. Coroners are playing a pivotal role in highlighting these systemic deficiencies and advocating for improved training, guidance, and service delivery. The Stockport Coroner’s report, in particular, draws attention to the importance of national-level change, urging policymakers to address these gaps to prevent future deaths.
In response to the Stockport Coroner’s concerns, the Minister for Mental Health and Women’s Strategy outlined initiatives to raise awareness of menopause and its impact on mental health. Funding has been provided to Mind in Greater Manchester, enabling free training for small and medium enterprises to educate managers and staff on menopause. Additionally, resources are being allocated for mindfulness and relaxation courses to help individuals manage the emotional and physical effects of menopause. Culturally appropriate menopause awareness sessions are also being delivered across Greater Manchester in multiple languages to ensure accessibility for diverse communities. Further support includes a free menopause resource for healthcare workers in Greater Manchester, aimed at fostering a wider cultural change and improving support for those experiencing menopause.
While updated NICE guidance and increasing recognition of menopause’s impact are positive steps, significant work remains. Coroners’ reports provide a valuable mechanism for driving systemic improvements, pushing for comprehensive, evidence-based approaches to menopause and mental health care. By addressing these gaps, the healthcare system can better support women during this critical life stage, ensuring timely and effective interventions.
