Qualitative study uncovers relational strain and feelings of helplessness in men supporting menopausal partners, highlighting the need for partner-inclusive couple counseling.
This study explored men’s experiences of supporting partners through the menopause transition, focussing on relational impacts and therapeutic implications. Using a qualitative design, one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten British men whose partners were experiencing menopausal symptoms. Reflexive thematic analysis generated five themes: Recognizing Menopausal Changes; Emotional and Physical Distance; A Desire to Help and Feelings of Helplessness; The Impact of Societal Norms; and Where to Go from Here. Men described reduced intimacy, strained communication and uncertainty about support. Findings highlight the value of partner-inclusive interventions, with therapists facilitating communication and shared coping to strengthen relational resilience.
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Owen et al. (2026) studied this question.
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