Menopause and the Prison: a Systematic Review Exploring the Experiences and Support Needs of Women in Prison in Relation to the Menopause

Lockwood, Kelly; Wood, Antonia

Abstract

Background
The convergence of an aging prison population and increasing numbers of women in custody globally, has resulted in a growing sub-population of females of menopausal age experiencing imprisonment; however, this specific area is rarely studied.
Objectives
To investigate the experiences and support needs of women in prison transitioning to the menopause.
Design
A systematic review performed to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.
Data Sources and Methods
A thorough search of multiple databases, including Web of Science, Proquest, JSTR, Ovid Medline and Google Scholar was conducted to identify studies that explored menopause and the prison. The search was not restricted by publication date, geographical origin, or methodology,
Results
The study reviewed 19 studies in total from a range of geographical locations. Through a process of thematic analysis, four unique themes were identified; (Un)Awareness of menopausal symptoms and treatment options; Experiencing menopausal symptoms in the context of imprisonment; Barriers to managing symptoms in the prison environment; and Positive support and responses to the menopause. This review makes recommendations for policy and practice, and highlights significant gaps in knowledge, indicating further research is required.
Conclusion
The systematic review has highlighted that the menopause in the context of imprisonment remains poorly understood and that there is a significant need for advances in research, policy, and practice. The lack of awareness of the menopause, symptoms, and treatment options for women in prison, accompanied with a lack of perceived understanding from professionals, highlights the distinct and urgent need for education and knowledge exchange.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 30, 2025
• Deposit Date: Aug 1, 2025
• Journal: Women's Health
• Print ISSN: 1745-5057
• Electronic ISSN: 1745-5065
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: menopause, prison, women, experiences, feminism
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/whe