A survey of 1,000 women revealed that a third were unaware perimenopause could impact mental health. Many mistook symptoms for anxiety or depression without recognizing the hormonal connection.
Symptoms went unrecognized for months
The survey, conducted by Dynata for LifeStance Health in June 2026, included women born between 1960 and 1990 who either had or suspected they were in perimenopause or menopause. Most participants—74%—endured symptoms for six months or longer before linking them to hormonal changes. Another 27% made the connection within six months.
Anxiety and depression emerged as the most common issues. Two-thirds described their anxiety as somewhat or extremely severe, while 54% said the same about depression. Nearly half initially believed they were dealing with anxiety alone, and 39% thought it was depression unrelated to menopause.
Stephanie Eken, chief medical officer at LifeStance Health, stated in a release that women’s mental health needs evolve across life stages. Perimenopause and menopause represent major transitions, she noted. Specialized care tailored to these stages should become standard.
Awareness gaps contributed to delays in treatment. Nearly half of respondents were surprised to learn that mental health symptoms tied to these transitions can persist for years. Another 22% didn’t know the process could begin shortly after childbirth. Over a third were unaware that symptoms could resemble standalone mental health conditions, leading to misdiagnosis or postponed care.
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Once women sought help, most found it useful. Among those who tried therapy, 83% said it helped, and 82% of those using medications like antidepressants or estrogen reported improvements. Nearly half believed mental healthcare should be included in perimenopause treatment, while 59% said they’d be more likely to seek care if they knew it could ease symptoms.
The effects weren’t uniform. While 35% reported a slight to significant negative impact on their overall mental health, 32% noticed no effect. Mood changes followed a similar pattern: 42% experienced a decline, but 22% saw no difference.
The delay in recognizing symptoms extends beyond personal challenges. A 2023 study in Mayo Clinic Proceedings estimated that menopause symptoms cost the U.S. economy $1.8 billion annually in lost work productivity. Including healthcare costs, the total reached $26.6 billion. The research, based on responses from over 4,400 employed women ages 45 to 60, called for further investigation in larger, more diverse groups.
For many, the survey’s results highlight a persistent frustration: symptoms that disrupt daily life often go unrecognized for too long. The disconnect between experience and understanding creates opportunities for better education. As Eken suggested, healthcare should adapt to the realities of women’s health at every stage, including transitions like menopause.
