According to a first-of-its-kind study by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) researchers, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could reduce suicidal thoughts among menopausal women by more than 90%. The findings emerge as families speak out about the critical link between menopause and mental health, highlighting cases where women struggling through the menopause transition received antidepressants instead of targeted hormonal care.
HRT Study Findings and the Impact on Menopausal Mental Health
Researchers at Liverpool John Moores University spoke to more than 1,000 women experiencing symptoms of depression, distress, and suicidal thoughts during the menopause. According to the study data, suicidal thoughts among menopausal women dropped by 92% after participants were prescribed HRT. Researcher Dr Olivia Hendriks noted that women who had previously attempted suicide multiple times and faced psychiatric hospitalization reported improvements within months of starting hormone replacement therapy.
“A lot of them said after they had taken HRT, they felt a lot better and it only took… months for them to stop feeling like that again,” Dr Hendriks stated.
Did you know? Suicide rates among women peak between the ages of 45 and 54, which is the age where the menopause typically happen.
Misdiagnosis Rates and Outdated Medical Training Barriers
Despite the efficacy of hormone replacement therapy, the LJMU study revealed that one in six women struggling with menopause symptoms were either misdiagnosed or offered antidepressants instead of HRT. According to project researcher Professor Pooja Saini, this persistent gap in treatment stems largely from outdated fears regarding medical safety.
Professor Saini explained that a prominent 2002 study alluded that HRT caused cancer. Although that research has been debunked repeatedly, she noted that doctors remain influenced by those initial findings taught during their medical degrees. Furthermore, Professor Saini pointed to broader systemic issues, stating that she encountered significant resistance getting these findings published due to institutional misogyny within health research fields.
Real-Life Impact: The Tragic Case of Helen McGraw
The statistical findings mirror personal tragedies experienced by families across the UK. Helen McGraw, a grandmother from Ellesmere Port, sought help from her general practitioner after she began to “lose herself” following the menopause. Rather than receiving hormone-specific support, she was prescribed antidepressants.
Her daughter, Heather Wilson, recalled the overwhelming physical and psychological toll her mother faced, noting difficulties with skin changes, hair loss, and severe emotional distress. In 2021, after becoming trapped in a cycle where crisis lines directed her to A&E and hospital staff redirected her back to her GP, Helen took her own life.
“Every time she went to A&E, they told her to talk to her GP and she was just stuck in a cycle that she couldn’t break,” Heather Wilson said. “She just couldn’t get that help that she needed.” Heather believes her mother would still be alive today if she had received the right help at the right time.
Understanding Menopause Symptoms and Available Treatments
The menopause is clinically defined as 12 months passing since a woman’s last menstrual period, with the natural transition typically beginning around age 46 and periods stopping by 51. The preceding phase, known as perimenopause, involves fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels lasting anywhere from a few months to over a decade.
Common symptoms range from mild to debilitating. According to a survey by Ipsos MORI for the British Menopause Society, 79% of women experience hot flushes and 70% experience night sweats, alongside emotional instability, heavy bleeding, and bladder problems. The primary medical treatment, HRT, replaces lost estrogen through tablets, patches, gels, sprays, or implants. According to the Department of Health, women prescribed HRT can access a year’s worth of treatment for just under £20.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main cause of menopausal mental health struggles?
Research indicates that the natural hormonal fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone during perimenopause and menopause impact mood, contributing to depression, distress, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation.
Why are some doctors reluctant to prescribe HRT?
According to researchers like Professor Pooja Saini, some medical professionals remain hesitant due to lingering, outdated interpretations of a 2002 study regarding cancer risks, despite those findings being repeatedly debunked.
Where can individuals in crisis find immediate support?
Support is available through organizations such as the Samaritans, Mind, the Martin Gallier Project, and specialized crisis services like EPiC HOPE.
Support Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, distress, or suicidal thoughts, help is available:
- Samaritans: Offering confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
- Mind: Visit mind.org.uk for mental health advice and campaigning resources.
- The Martin Gallier Project: Offering non-clinical suicide interventions in the North West.
Worth a look