Third of women unaware of perimenopause mental health impact - FemTech World
A third of women surveyed did not know perimenopause could affect mental health, with many experiencing symptoms for months before recognising them. The survey of 1,000 women found many had been caught off guard by mental health symptoms linked to perimenopause or menopause. It was conducted by Dynata on behalf of LifeStance Health in June 2026 and included women born…
Premature menopause is linked to a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, according to a study of more than 107,000 women. The risk was highest among women who reached menopause between the ages of 25 and 35. Researchers said the findings support earlier cardiovascular screening for women who reach menopause before the age of 40. Dr Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society, said: “The results of this study highlight the potential adverse long-term health outcomes associated with premature menopause, and in particular, the need to regularly screen forcardiovascular riskfactors such as hypertension. “Use of hormone therapy is also routinely recommended in women with premature menopause at least until the natural age of menopause unless contraindications exist. ”Hormonal changes during menopause are known to affect women’s wider health, while earlier menopause has previously been linked to coronary heart disease and stroke. Coronaryheart diseasedevelops when the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked. However, previous evidence directly linking the timing ofmenopauseto high blood pressure has been mixed. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels and can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers said it can be difficult to separate the direct effects of hormonal changes from factors that often accompany menopause, including weight gain, metabolic changes and other cardiovascular risks. Metabolic changes affect how the body processes and uses energy, including sugar and fat. The study analysed data from 107,836 postmenopausal women who joined the UK Biobank between 2006 and 2010. They were followed for a median of almost 15 years. Researchers divided the women into three groups based on their age at menopause: after 45, between 40 and 45, or before 40. They also examined whether menopause occurred naturally or followed surgery. During the follow-up period, 18,508 women, or 17. 2 per cent, were diagnosed with high blood pressure. The proportion increased as the age at menopause fell. Hypertension developed in 16. 6 per cent of women who experienced menopause after 45, compared with 18. 8 per cent of those who reached menopause between 40 and 45. Among women who experienced menopause before 40, 22. 6 per cent developed the condition. After taking account of more than 50 factors, including weight, lifestyle habits, family history and laboratory results, premature menopause remained linked to a 12. 3 per cent higher risk of hypertension than menopause after age 45. Further analysis suggested the risk peaked among women who reached menopause between the ages of 25 and 35. The researchers said this may mean that the cardiovascular risk associated with premature menopause is concentrated among a younger group than the conventional under-40 definition suggests. Surgical menopause was initially linked to higher rates of hypertension, but the association was no longer significant after other risk factors were taken into account. The authors said clinicians should consider age at menopause as a distinct cardiovascular risk factor, particularly for women who experience it before 40. They also called for earlier detection and management of hypertension, alongside individual discussions about hormone therapy. Hormone therapy replaces hormones that decline during menopause and may be recommended for some women, depending on their individual health and medical history.