This piece is co-authored by Dr. Joanne Armstrong, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Women’s Health at CVS Health, and April Haberman, CEO and Co-Founder of MiDOViA.
After decades of being shrouded in silence, menopause is having a big moment ― from Halle Berry and Naomi Watts boldly speaking out about their menopause journeys, to Drew Barrymore experiencing her first hot flash live on TV. Though discussions have improved around the more visible symptoms of menopause, these are just the surface of menopause’s effect on women.
Mental health challenges are prevalent during this stage of life. More than one-third of women in late perimenopause report depressive symptoms ― prior history doesn’t reduce the impact either. Some 58% of women are at greater risk for another episode during perimenopause, while those with no history of depression are two to four times more likely to experience it during perimenopause.
Employers and providers can both play a critical role in bringing better mental health awareness and resources to women navigating menopause, along with addressing the physical symptoms more often discussed.
The Mental Health Impact of Menopause
During menopause, declining estrogen levels trigger hormonal shifts that can affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA ― both of which help regulate mood and anxiety. Other symptoms include irritability, mood swings, difficulty concentrating and low energy.
Hormonal fluctuations also result in vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes). Women experiencing hot flashes have a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, possibly linked to sleep disruptions that negatively impact mood.
Other notable life changes, such as children moving away from home, career shifts, or being a caregiver for an aging parent can further compound stress and other mental health issues. Coordinated, accessible care is essential to helping women stay well throughout this transition.
Reducing the Cost of Untreated Menopause and Mental Health
Only 49% of women in perimenopause have spoken to a health care provider about their menopause symptoms including related mental health impacts, reducing opportunities to intervene early and provide effective support. Mental health research on the topic also lags and can be complex to capture.
Additionally, while nearly 20% of the workforce is going through some phase of menopause, over half of women say they are not comfortable talking about menopause in the workplace because it feels too personal.
Although 75% of organizations have high confidence in their menopause benefits, just 26% offer a midlife care program to specifically address menopause symptoms.
Providing support for women going through menopause is not just a health imperative ― it’s a business need. According to the @Mayo Clinic, menopause symptoms result in an estimated $1.8 billion loss from missed days of work. Untreated mental health symptoms, such as anxiety or depression, are also associated with increased absenteeism and diminished productivity. Globally, the underinvestment in women’s health is estimated to cost the economy up to $1 trillion each year.
Improving Access in Women’s Mental Health Care
Every woman’s experience with menopause is unique. It’s important to work with a trusted health care provider to first address the spectrum of symptoms to create a holistic care plan. From mental health or therapy options to community through support groups, there are many meaningful ways to help women feel understood and supported. Health care providers play a critical role through screening patients for mood symptoms, making time for mental health check-ins, and staying up-to-date on the latest treatment approaches.
Employers can also play a critical role in supporting employees experiencing menopause through participation in programs such as MiDOViA’s Menopause Friendly Employer Membership and Accreditation program. The first of its kind in the U.S., the program offers evidence-based training, policy guidance, peer support frameworks, and employee-facing resources that normalize conversations around menopause, including mental health support. As the first U.S. company to receive the accreditation, CVS Health is championing a more open and supportive mindset around the mental health impacts of menopause.
The Menopause Society’s menopause training for CVS MinuteClinic practitioners included a behavioral health session on topics such as mood, sleep and cognitive function and provided educational resources on mental health conditions related to menopause. We’ve also expanded menopause resources for all CVS Health colleagues with initiatives such as our recently launched pilot peer support groups through Resources for Living.
Menopause isn’t the only area where women are looking for mental health support from their employers and providers. All stages of a woman’s health journey can be supported through tailored care that addresses individualized health and life experiences. Providing enhanced women’s health support, including dedicated attention to mental health during menopause, will greatly improve women’s health overall.
