The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded study found that many women aged 45–55 who visit their GP with mental health concerns may not realise their symptoms could be linked to perimenopause, and GPs often don’t ask.
Researchers interviewed 18 women and 11 GPs across the South West of England to explore how mental health symptoms are discussed during GP consultations in the perimenopausal age range.
The study revealed that both patients and doctors frequently miss the connection between mood changes and hormonal shifts during perimenopause.
Many women said they felt unsure or embarrassed about raising menopause-related concerns, while GPs admitted they often didn’t ask about symptoms like changes in periods or hot flushes, even when patients were in the typical age range for perimenopause.
Time pressures and a lack of menopause-specific training were also cited as barriers.
Lead author Dr Jo Burgin, Clinical Research Fellow at the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, said: "Mood changes are a recognised symptom of perimenopause, but they’re often overlooked in primary care. Women may not know what’s happening to them, and GPs may not feel confident in managing these symptoms."
The study calls for better training for GPs on menopause and more public education to help women understand what to expect during this life stage.
The researchers say these changes could lead to more effective consultations and better support for women experiencing mental health symptoms during perimenopause.
Paper: Mental health consultations during the perimenopausal age range: a qualitative study of GP and patient experiences by Jo Burgin, Yvette Pyne, Anna Davies and David Kessler. Published in British Journal of General Practice. October 2025.