Menopause experiences among women with mental health difficulties
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The experience and meanings of menopause for postmenopausal women with a history of mental health difficulties
IRAS ID
333293
Contact name
Regan Bailey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Research has shown that women with pre-existing mental health difficulties are at greater risk of further mental health difficulties during menopause. Still, there is little research which looks at the experience of menopause for women with a history of mental health difficulties. Research so far has mainly looked at the relationship between mental health and menopause, and less at the views and experiences of women told through their stories.
The aim of this study is to find out how mid-life and older women with pre-existing mental health difficulties experienced the menopause using a semi-structured interview schedule. We will interview 20 postmenopausal women aged 50 years and over who have a diagnosed mental health condition about their experiences of menopause, and the interaction with their mental health. The interview questions will focus on individual experiences, what meaning the menopause has for them and what sense they have made of this experience in their lives.
The interviews will last approximately 60 minutes, these will be audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed by the researcher using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) as an exploratory method for capturing a detailed account of each woman’s experience. It is hoped that across the participants there will be some common patterns (“themes”) that can be grouped together to improve our understanding of women’s lived experience of, and the personal meanings they attach to, menopause. The findings from this study could help us to identify how to best support women and ensure that women can access services which consider and meet their menopausal and mental health needs at the appropriate time.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SW/0009
Date of REC Opinion
29 Feb 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion