An inquest into the death of a 52-year-old architect from Norfolk has highlighted the potential mental health impacts of perimenopause, including cognitive difficulties and mood disturbances, which may contribute to a decline in well-being and, in some cases, tragic outcomes.

Victoria Baker, a mother of two and a property developer, was found hanging at Hellesdon Hospital in November 2024, where she had been receiving treatment after being sectioned. She died a week later when life support was withdrawn. The inquest jury returned a narrative conclusion, noting that it was unclear whether her death was intentional.

Ms. Baker had struggled with what is commonly referred to as “brain fog,” characterized by memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and mental sluggishness. These symptoms, along with anxiety and insomnia, worsened during her transition through perimenopause—the phase preceding menopause when ovarian hormone production, particularly estrogen, decreases.

Her husband, Sefton Archer, told the hearing in Norwich that Victoria had always maintained high personal standards and that her deteriorating focus and cognitive difficulties during perimenopause caused her intense fear about losing her career and identity. He emphasized that menopause can exacerbate previously latent mental health conditions and called for greater support for women experiencing this life stage.

During the inquest, psychiatrist Daniel Dalton explained that Ms. Baker sincerely believed her symptoms were connected to medication she had taken for an insect bite or a seafood meal consumed while on holiday in Italy. However, medical experts found no evidence linking those treatments to her neurological problems. Instead, they suspected a combination of anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and hormonal changes associated with perimenopause as contributing factors.

Emerging research indicates that hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause can exacerbate symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD and other mental health conditions. Declining estrogen levels reduce dopamine activity in the brain, which plays a critical role in regulating emotion, motivation, and cognitive function.

Ms. Baker had expressed thoughts of traveling to Switzerland for euthanasia, underscoring the severity of her distress during this period. Her case adds to growing awareness about the complex interplay between menopause-related hormonal changes and mental health deterioration. Recent studies also note a rise in suicide rates among women aged 45 to 54, the demographic typically undergoing menopausal transition.

The inquest spotlighted the need for heightened recognition and specialized care for women facing perimenopausal symptoms that affect mental well-being, as well as the importance of supporting those with coexisting neuropsychiatric conditions during this vulnerable phase.