Childhood Trauma in Menopausal / perimenopausal women

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? Menopause-clinic sample: 58.5% ≥1 ACE; 17.2% ≥4; 2026 community/social-media sample 58.4% any ACE
Is it more common among menopausal / perimenopausal women? Childhood adversity associated with greater menopausal symptom burden
Are menopausal / perimenopausal women at higher risk? #N/A
How much higher is the risk? Severe menopausal symptoms associated with ACE 1–3 OR 1.84, ACE ≥4 OR 4.51 in Mayo sample
How often can it be missed? #N/A
Does it show up differently among menopausal / perimenopausal women? Strong Yes
How might it look different? Trauma-related hyperarousal and somatic distress can overlap with sleep, mood and vasomotor symptoms
What commonly occurs alongside it? #N/A
What can it be confused with? Menopausal symptoms; depression; PTSD
Common screening tool ACE Questionnaire — Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire
Separate screening tool for menopausal / perimenopausal women None
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