Making sense of women’s experiences of menopause: treatment decisions and ‘subjective’ cognitive complaints

Palmer, Yasmin (2025) Making sense of women’s experiences of menopause: treatment decisions and ‘subjective’ cognitive complaints. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Background: Approximately half of the population will experience menopause. During the initial stages (perimenopause), women commonly report the most severity of these symptoms. These cognitive changes are thought to have a significant impact on women’s daily lives. However, little is understood about the experience of these changes. Additionally, women commonly disengage with potentially helpful treatments, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which may have beneficial effects on cognition and other menopause-related symptoms.

Aim: The thesis portfolio aimed to develop an understanding of women’s experiences of cognition in perimenopause and to better understand the barriers to women engaging in potentially helpful treatments (HRT) to improve symptoms.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to understand women’s experiences of cognition during perimenopause. A systematic review of the existing qualitative literature using thematic synthesis was conducted to understand the experience of decisions related to taking HRT.

Results: The qualitative study produced four themes: Cognitive changes, The mental load, Symptom synergy and “You either cry, or you laugh it off”. The systematic review identified the themes: When symptoms get too much, HRT is the last resort, “You’ve got to weigh it all up”, Women want informed choices and shared decision-making, and The journey is unique and changeable: no single answer.

Conclusions: This thesis portfolio highlights the multifaceted experiences of cognition and treatment options relating to menopause. It promotes a need to consider symptoms through a sociocultural lens to support research and clinical implications.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Nicola Veasy
Date Deposited:	27 Oct 2025 14:42
Last Modified:	27 Oct 2025 14:42
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100793
DOI:

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