Menodivorce: how menopause can impact relationships

As family lawyers, we’re seeing menopause and perimenopause cited more and more as a trigger for relationship breakdown. Whilst menopause itself does not cause divorce, coupled with other midlife challenges, it can intensify any existing cracks in relationships.

What is ‘menodivorce’?

‘Menodivorce’ is a term that has emerged to reference a divorce that occurs during or as a result of perimenopause or menopause. As awareness and education around menopause continue to grow, there has been much wider recognition in recent years of its role as a contributing factor in more women choosing to divorce in midlife.

Research conducted by the Family Law Menopause Project and Newson Health Research found that 7 in 10 of the 1,000 women they surveyed blamed the menopause for their relationship breakdown, showing a clear link between menopause and divorce.

How can menopause impact relationships?

Menopause brings both emotional and physical changes, which can have an impact on mood, energy and intimacy, altering relationship dynamics. For those who already feel uncertainty in their marriage, it can exacerbate these issues and bring them to the forefront. Hormonal fluctuations can also trigger a reassessment of priorities and a period of reflection, leaving some women reevaluating whether their relationship still meets their needs.

In some cases, these changes can be the catalyst someone needs to leave an unfulfilling relationship or to no longer tolerate behaviour they may have previously accepted. This shift in attitudes is reflected in the rise in midlife divorce and in trending terms such as ‘walkaway wives’, whereby more women are choosing to start afresh and leave marriages that no longer serve them.

Often, menopause also coincides with other midlife challenges, whether that’s childcare responsibilities, caring for ageing parents or career demands, all of which can put further pressure on relationships.

The rise in mid and later life divorce

In the UK, over 60% of divorces are initiated by women in their 40s, 50s and 60s, which coincides with perimenopause and menopause. However, this isn’t the only factor behind rising midlife divorce rates or ‘grey divorce’ – couples over 50 choosing to end their marriages. As societal attitudes shift, female financial freedom increases and life expectancy rises, more women are choosing to divorce later in life. At Maguire Family Law, we estimate that 7 in 10 of the divorce cases we deal with are now initiated by women.

What to do if menopause is putting a strain on your marriage

Seek professional advice

Deciding to get a divorce is a big decision and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you think menopause is a contributing factor to your relationship breakdown, it’s important to seek medical advice and emotional support in the first instance. Treatment like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or counselling could enable you to better manage your emotional and physical symptoms and get your relationship back on track. Sometimes, the best advice we can give to clients is to take some time and come back to us in six months if you’re still feeling the same way.

Communicate with your partner

If you’re going through the menopause, it can be difficult to understand how you feel, let alone explain this to someone else. However, communicating with your partner and letting them know how they can support you as you navigate your symptoms can be key to keeping a healthy dialogue and making lifestyle or relationship adjustments to suit your needs. To help initiate these conversations, you could consider seeking the support of a relationship counsellor.

Specialist support from expert family law solicitors

If you’ve reached a point at which your relationship feels unsalvageable or you would like to have a better understanding of the law should that become the case, then it’s important to seek legal advice at the earliest possible stage.

At Maguire Family Law, we understand the impact that menopause can have and the challenges it can bring. Our specialist family lawyers have knowledge and experience in this area and take an empathetic, personal approach in helping you to navigate life’s big decisions.

If you’re ready to start divorce proceedings or simply want to chat about your options, get in touch to find out how we can help.