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Women living with serious mental illness (SMI) often experience complex interactions between menopause, psychiatric medication, physical health, and everyday wellbeing. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect how medications work, influence symptom presentation, and can contribute to challenges that may be overlooked in routine care.
In this second webinar of the Menopause and Serious Mental Illness series, experts in psychiatry and pharmacy will explore the relationship between menopause and medication management, helping clinicians understand how to better support women with SMI during this important life stage.
Professor Iris Sommer, Psychiatrist and Physician, will discuss the impact of menopause on the body’s handling of medication, including changes in pharmacokinetics and the potential interactions between hormonal changes and psychiatric treatment. She will explore how fluctuations in oestrogen and other hormones may influence mental health symptoms, medication effectiveness, and treatment considerations during the menopause transition.
Dr. Shiobhan Gee and Dr. Shubhra Mace, Consultant Pharmacists, will focus on the practical realities of medication management for women with SMI. Drawing on their extensive clinical experience, they will discuss common medication-related challenges encountered in practice, approaches to conducting effective medication reviews, and strategies for identifying and addressing side effects, drug interactions, and physical health implications.
This session aims to improve understanding of the complex relationship between menopause and medication, equipping clinicians with the knowledge and confidence to support informed, personalised, and holistic care for women living with serious mental illness.
