A Comparative Study of the Effect of Menopause on Mental Health in Relation to Emotions Among Working and Non-Working Women in Indore City

Menopause, or climacteric, signifies the end of menstrual periods due to decreased ovarian function and estrogen levels. This transition often begins with changes in the menstrual cycle and can lead to emotional instability, including irritability and sadness, highlighting the need for mental health support. Despite progress in education and societal views, menopause remains a taboo subject, leading to embarrassment and hesitancy among women to seek help for symptoms. A study involving 40 women from Indore, divided between 20 working and 20 nonworking groups, examined the link between menopause, mental health, and emotions. The women were selected using structured screening questionnaires and validated mental health assessment tools, Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 29.0, employing Karl Pearson's Correlation Coefficient to assess relationships. The results indicate a statistically significant positive correlation between menopausal symptoms and mental/emotional distress (ρ = 0.610, p < 0.01), with a marginally higher correlation in non-working women (ρ = 0.682) compared to working women (ρ = 0.654). These findings underscore the importance of creating inclusive, targeted mental health interventions during menopause, particularly for women lacking occupational or social engagement.