A recent study has revealed that a significant number of Rwandan women going through menopause—particularly those aged 51 and above—experience serious mental health challenges, including severe depression and anxiety, which in some cases can lead to thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
The research was conducted on 600 women across four major hospitals in Rwanda, including King Faisal Hospital, CHUK, Kanombe Military Hospital, and the University of Kigali, by a team of Rwandan and American researchers, including specialists in women’s health.
Findings indicate that 65.2% of women reported symptoms of severe depression, while 52.2% exhibited signs of anxiety.
Despite the prevalence of mental health challenges, the study showed that only 41.2% of affected women sought medical care, and among them, a mere 1.7% received hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—a treatment designed to help women manage both physical and mental changes associated with menopause.
Experts explain that HRT works by replenishing key hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which naturally decline during menopause. Low levels of these hormones can lead to symptoms including hot flashes, depression, insomnia, and painful sexual experiences, all of which significantly impact quality of life.
Hormone replacement therapy can involve oral medications, topical creams or gels, and even devices for sexual health, aimed at restoring normal hormone function in women who require medical intervention.
However, many women visiting clinics are prescribed standard anti-depressant medications rather than HRT, which may be more directly effective in addressing hormonal-related mental health challenges.
Health professionals emphasize that mental health counseling, proper use of medications, and strong family support can greatly reduce the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts among women undergoing menopause.
