Menopause and suicide: A systematic review

Hendriks, O ORCID: 0009-0005-0990-318X, McIntyre, JC ORCID: 0000-0002-5601-524X, Rose, AK ORCID: 0000-0003-3267-7318, Sambrook, L ORCID: 0000-0002-4798-9536, Reisel, D, Crockett, C, Newson, L and Saini, P ORCID: 0000-0002-4981-7914 (2025) Menopause and suicide: A systematic review. Women's Health, 21. pp. 1-18. ISSN 1745-5057

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Abstract

Background The menopausal transition is a critical phase in a woman's life marked by hormonal fluctuations that can result in a wide variety of physical and psychological symptoms. These symptoms vary in strength and their negative impacts on women's health and well-being. One of the most severe impacts of (peri)menopause is increased vulnerability to suicidality in some women, yet no systematic review has examined the holistic relationship regarding this potential link. Objectives To examine the relationship between the menopausal transition and suicidality, and identify menopause-related factors contributing to increased suicide risk. Design A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Data sourcesMedLine, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched for studies addressing both menopause and suicidality. Studies were screened independently by two reviewers. Data extraction focused on suicidal ideation, attempts, and completed suicide among menopausal women. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results Nineteen studies published between 1987 and 2025 met the inclusion criteria. Of the 19 studies, 16 (84%) reported an association between the menopausal transition and increased suicidality, with 7 studies specifically noting this association in perimenopausal women. Hormonal changes, pre-existing mental health conditions, physical symptoms, and limited social support emerged as key factors associated with increased suicide risk. Three studies did not find a significant link. Conclusion There is some evidence of an association between the menopausal transition and suicidality, particularly during perimenopause, though conclusions are limited by study design and heterogeneity. The review highlights the importance of integrating mental health support within menopause care and suggests further research to clarify the mechanisms underpinning suicide risk during the menopausal transition. Enhanced screening and supportive interventions may benefit menopausal women experiencing suicidality.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans; Risk Factors; Suicide; Menopause; Middle Aged; Female; Suicidal Ideation; cultural and social factors; hormones; menopause; primary ovarian insufficiency; suicidality; Humans; Female; Menopause; Suicide; Suicidal Ideation; Risk Factors; Middle Aged; 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences; 3202 Clinical Sciences; 42 Health Sciences; Mental Illness; Contraception/Reproduction; Behavioral and Social Science; Suicide; Mental Health; Estrogen; Aging; Suicide Prevention; Prevention; 2.3 Psychological, social and economic factors; 3 Good Health and Well Being; Humans; Female; Menopause; Suicide; Suicidal Ideation; Risk Factors; Middle Aged; 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine; 3215 Reproductive medicine; 4206 Public health
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Date of acceptance:	2 July 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	16 October 2025
Date Deposited:	16 Oct 2025 15:06
Last Modified:	16 Oct 2025 15:15
DOI or ID number:	10.1177/17455057251360517
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27357

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