Most of us, especially in India, believe that if a relationship has lasted a decade, it will last forever. And that has held true in most cases in India, but the tide is changing slowly. For many couples, midlife is a period of reflection. Children grow up, careers plateau, and priorities change. Yet an emerging conversation suggests that another powerful force may also be reshaping long-term relationships: menopause. In recent years, the term menodivorce has begun circulating in media and online discussions, describing a perceived rise in divorces initiated by women during the menopausal years. But why do women divorce their partners during menopause or is the reality more complex?

Why are menopausal divorces happening?

Menopause is a natural biological transition that usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. During this period, hormonal changes can trigger a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including hot flushes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, mood swings, and reduced tolerance for stress. However, for some women, menopause represents not just a biological milestone but also a psychological one. The end of fertility also coincides with other life changes, like children building their own lives and career reassessment. And so much change together can lead women to question other aspects of their lives that they may have previously shoved into the back of the closet. One of these aspects is unsatisfying relationships.

The rise of grey divorce

Grey divorces are increasingly taking up spaces in conversations, not only in Western countries but also in India, especially with celebrity couples like Malaika Arora-Arbaaz Khan and Hrithik Roshan-Sussanne Khan ending their marriages after more than 10 years together. While the causes are diverse, researchers note that women initiate a significant percentage of these divorces. Menopause may not be the sole reason, but it can act as a catalyst for reflection in women’s lives.

By midlife, many women have spent decades prioritising family responsibilities. As those responsibilities ease, they may feel newly empowered to pursue personal fulfilment. If a relationship has been marked by imbalance, emotional neglect, or lack of communication, menopause can sharpen awareness of those issues.

Related: Divorce After Decades Of Marriage Is Not A Failure: What Desi Families Need To Know About Grey Divorces

Hormones, emotions, and self-perception

Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can influence mood and emotional regulation. Lower estrogen levels may contribute to irritability or heightened sensitivity, which can intensify existing relationship tensions. However, reducing menodivorce purely to hormones oversimplifies the situation.

Psychologists often emphasise the role of identity. Midlife can encourage a renewed focus on self-worth, autonomy, and happiness. For women who have long prioritised others, menopause may trigger a reassessment of whether their relationships truly support their well-being.

According to a survey done in the United Kingdom, seven in 10 women said they divorced their partners due to menopause or perimenopause.

When partners struggle to adapt 

Another reason why women divorce their partners during menopause is the way their partners respond to the menopausal transition. Women frequently report feeling misunderstood or dismissed when discussing symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, or anxiety. If partners lack awareness or empathy, resentment can build.

It is also important to consider broader social changes. Women today tend to have greater financial independence, longer life expectancy, and fewer social pressures to remain in unhappy marriages than previous generations. As a result, leaving an unsatisfying relationship later in life has become more feasible. Menopause may coincide with this moment of freedom, but it is rarely the sole cause. It’s just that the issues that have always existed become clear in the light of menopause. 

Rather than framing menopause as a threat to marriages, couples should view it as a period requiring greater understanding and adaptation. Education about menopausal symptoms, empathy from partners, and open dialogue can help couples navigate this stage together.

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