New research released to coincide with World Menopause Day cements what has been long assumed, but never proven, that the menopause has a clear and negative impact on divorce, separation and relationships.
A survey conducted by The Family Law Menopause Project and Newson Health Research and Education, shows that 7 in 10 women (73%) who responded blame the menopause for the breakdown of their marriage. A further 67% of the 1,000 women taking part worryingly claimed it increased domestic abuse and arguments.
Sadly, only a fifth of those women had sought support to talk about the perimenopause/menopause because they didn’t, at the time, think it was a contributing factor to the breakdown of the relationship.
With an estimated 13 million women of menopausal age in this country alone, and one in four of them having severe symptoms, these figures paint a bleak future for the legally recognised union of two people, as 9.5million marriages and relationships in the UK are arguably under threat because of a women’s hormone deficiency, and the correlation between the two not being fully understood or acknowledged.
The study also reveals that despite almost 80% of respondents admitting that their perimenopause/menopause symptoms put a strain on their children and/or family life, only a third of all women had been offered treatment or HRT to relieve their symptoms despite it being the optimum treatment. These findings echo recent reports of the lack of specialised menopause care available to women within the NHS.
In contrast 65% of those who were offered HRT said it had made a positive impact on their menopause-related symptoms. Some 70% of those who had not received support or treatment had said that if they had, it would have had a positive impact on their relationship and potentially avoided the breakdown of their marriage.
With the onset of perimenopause in the mid-40s, the average age of menopause at 51 and the peak time of divorce being between ages 45 and 55, these results highlight the need for awareness and have been released, to open the conversation, offer advice, and encourage women to seek help and support.
This Survey looked at the impact of menopause on separation and divorce
New research released to coincide with World Menopause Day cements what has been long assumed, but never proven, that the menopause has a clear and negative impact on divorce, separation and relationships.
A survey conducted by The Family Law Menopause Project and Newson Health Research and Education, shows that 7 in 10 women (73%) who responded blame the menopause for the breakdown of their marriage. A further 67% of the 1,000 women taking part worryingly claimed it increased domestic abuse and arguments.
Sadly, only a fifth of those women had sought support to talk about the perimenopause/menopause because they didn’t, at the time, think it was a contributing factor to the breakdown of the relationship.
With an estimated 13 million women of menopausal age in this country alone, and one in four of them having severe symptoms, these figures paint a bleak future for the legally recognised union of two people, as 9.5million marriages and relationships in the UK are arguably under threat because of a women’s hormone deficiency, and the correlation between the two not being fully understood or acknowledged.
The study also reveals that despite almost 80% of respondents admitting that their perimenopause/menopause symptoms put a strain on their children and/or family life, only a third of all women had been offered treatment or HRT to relieve their symptoms despite it being the optimum treatment. These findings echo recent reports of the lack of specialised menopause care available to women within the NHS.
In contrast 65% of those who were offered HRT said it had made a positive impact on their menopause-related symptoms. Some 70% of those who had not received support or treatment had said that if they had, it would have had a positive impact on their relationship and potentially avoided the breakdown of their marriage.
With the onset of perimenopause in the mid-40s, the average age of menopause at 51 and the peak time of divorce being between ages 45 and 55, these results highlight the need for awareness and have been released, to open the conversation, offer advice, and encourage women to seek help and support.