THE SOCIO-PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT IN MENOPAUSAL ADAPTATION

Menopause is a complex life transition shaped not only by hormonal and physiological changes but also by deeplyembedded psychological, cultural, and social factors. This review explores the socio-physiological role of socialsupport in menopausal adaptation, drawing on evidence from clinical, cross-cultural, and psychosocial studies.Findings consistently show that supportive relationships—whether from family, peers, healthcare providers, orworkplace structures—can reduce symptom severity, buffer psychological distress, and enhance resilience. Socialsupport mediates both emotional well-being and physiological responses, such as cortisol regulation and improvedsleep quality. Cultural contexts that normalize menopause are linked to more positive experiences, while stigmaand isolation intensify distress. By integrating biological, emotional, and social mechanisms, this study reframesmenopause not as a period of decline, but as a dynamic and adaptive phase of life. It argues for healthcareinterventions and community programs that center relational support as a core component of midlife women’shealth, advancing a biopsychosocial model that reflects the true complexity of menopausal experience.