Menopause and Mental Health: Hormone Therapy Could Be Better Solution

Every year on 28 May, the world observes Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Day to advocate for dignity, education, and better menstrual health. In 2026, the global movement rallied around the call, “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,” urging societies to break stigma and ensure access to menstrual health information and services for all. Yet in Bangladesh, one crucial part of the menstrual health journey remains largely invisible: menopause.

While conversations around menstruation are slowly entering schools, communities, and policy discussions, menopause continues to be treated as a private issue rather than a public health concern. As a result, many women enter this life stage with little knowledge, limited support, and significant health risks.

Globally, women now spend nearly one-third of their lives in the post-menopausal phase. However, awareness remains low, especially in countries where reproductive health discussions are often limited to fertility and motherhood. In Bangladesh, this gap leaves many women struggling to understand symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, mood swings, and declining bone health.

One woman interviewed about her experience described the confusion many face: “Sometimes I would suddenly feel intensely hot, like my body was burning. I didn’t understand it, so I initially ignored it.” What seemed like a temporary discomfort eventually contributed to severe osteoporosis and spinal complications.

The mental health dimension may be even more concerning. Research conducted among middle-aged women in Dhaka found that nearly one-third experienced major depression during the menopausal transition. International studies published in recent years have also linked perimenopause and menopause with increased risks of anxiety, loneliness, severe emotional distress, and suicidal thoughts among some women.

These findings challenge a long-standing misconception that menopause is simply the end of menstruation. In reality, it is a major biological transition with implications for physical health, mental wellbeing, economic productivity, and quality of life.

Experts increasingly point to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), alongside counselling, lifestyle changes, and regular health monitoring, as effective tools for managing symptoms and improving wellbeing. Evidence suggests that timely diagnosis and access to appropriate care can significantly reduce both physical and psychological distress.

The discussion is particularly relevant during MHM Day 2026. The vision of a “#PeriodFriendlyWorld” is not only about supporting girls during their first periods. It is also about ensuring that women receive information, dignity, and healthcare throughout every stage of their reproductive life, including menopause.

Bangladesh has made important progress in advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), but the conversation remains incomplete if it ends when menstruation stops.

A truly inclusive SRHR agenda recognises that women’s health does not begin with puberty and end with childbirth. It continues through midlife, ageing, and beyond. Breaking the silence around menopause may therefore be one of the next major frontiers in ensuring health, dignity, and wellbeing for millions of women across Bangladesh.