Menopause
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the name given to the time surrounding a person’s last period and the following 12 months with no further period.
While the transition to menopause is primarily viewed as a reproductive phenomenon, about 80% of women experience neuropsychiatric symptoms during the perimenopause. Emerging evidence suggests that this phase poses a heightened risk for the development or exacerbation of psychiatric disorders.
While systematic evidence for severe mental illness is lacking, the charity Action on Postpartum Psychosis and case reports have observed severe psychiatric recurrences at the time of perimenopause in women with history of postpartum psychosis, followed in rare but tragic cases, by suicide.
Despite the importance and increasing interest, little is known about the association between psychiatric disorders and perimenopause.
Professional organisations and institutions worldwide have emphasised the gender disparity in psychiatric research, resulting in a scarcity of evidence to inform the risk of psychiatric disorders during the perimenopausal period.
Consequently, the conceptualisation, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric disorders associated with perimenopause remain subjects of controversy.
Our Research
Our current study aims to quantify the risk of psychiatric disorders associated with perimenopause.
Through a comprehensive investigation encompassing psycho-social, clinical, and genetic markers, this research endeavors to enhance the current approach to the classification, study, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders among perimenopausal women.
By investigating the relationship between hormonal changes and psychiatric disorders, we want to shed light on this crucial but understudied aspect of women’s health.
The research we are conducting at the moment is using a secondary data set (UK Biobank) and we aren’t yet involved in any primary data collection.
Take Part
Members of our team are currently working with the National Centre for Mental Health to launch a menopause survey later in 2026. This survey will be open to anyone that has experienced periods and is over the age of 35.
We are also looking for volunteers to help us with a range of research projects. Read more about our studies that are currently recruiting.