Menopause and Perimenopause: Ethics, Rights, Well-being

Human rights and healthcare converge distinctly when examining how life changes, like perimenopause and menopause, impact emotional health, interpersonal relationships and human connections. This paper examines medical factors, such as psychophysical symptoms, anxiety, cognitive challenges, mood alterations and cultural factors, emphasising their effects on physical and mental change, social belonging and personal identity. Psychophysical symptoms, such as anxiety, cognitive challenges and mood alterations, as observed in counselling and healthcare settings, can affect relationship quality and lead to stigma, isolation and misunderstanding. Medical and philosophical perspectives underline the importance of early recognition of physical and emotional symptoms. This approach and appropriate healthcare and counselling are essential for supporting women during significant life changes. A key interpretation of these physical and emotional symptoms is also found in the Aristotelian concept of the ‘matter-form/soul-body’ relationship. Creating supportive environments, through education, workplace policies, empathetic communication and government, can enhance well-being and human rights and strengthen relationships. Through case study analysis, this paper advocates for holistic support approaches - integrating medical care with therapeutic interventions like person-centred, CBT, mindfulness and pluralistic approaches - to improve understanding and connection during these significant life phases. Keywords: Perimenopause; Menopause; Life stages; CBT; Healthcare; Social well-being; Mental health; Pluralistic approach; Human rights.