Womenâs Mental Health: Addressing distinct challenges and effects in the workforce
Mental health is vital for overall well-being and is influenced by many factors. For women, unique biological influencesâsuch as menopause, reproductive conditions, and certain cancersâaffect their mental health in distinct ways.[1]
The mental health of female employees is a workforce issue with tangible consequences. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women make up ~57% of the American workforce[2]. When their unique physical and mental health needs go unmet, employers see increased absenteeism, lower productivity, and higher turnover rates. Addressing womenâs health holistically can improve engagement, boost morale, and foster innovation.
Impact of life stages on womenâs mental health
Hormones, Fertility, and Pregnancy
The menstrual cycle itself can significantly affect mood, energy levels, and cognitive function, with symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and depression most pronounced during the premenstrual phase. According to a report from the Office on Womenâs Health, approximately 75% of women experience some form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), while up to 8% are affected by the more severe premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)[3], which is associated with substantial mood disturbances and functional impairment.
Pregnancy introduces a distinct set of mental health challenges, including heightened risk for prenatal anxiety and depression. For those experiencing high-risk pregnancies, the mental health burden is even more acute. The heightened uncertainty, frequent medical interventions, and concerns for both parent and baby contribute to increased rates of anxiety and depression, compounding the challenges already present during this life stage.
Fertility treatments can profoundly impact mental health, as the emotional strain of uncertainty, repeated medical procedures, and fluctuating hopes often leads to increased stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. According to a study from The Journal of Nurse Practitioners, current evidence indicates higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among individuals who are experiencing infertility, and those seeking assisted reproductive technologies often meet criteria for major psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and dysthymia.[4]
Post-Natal
The stage after giving birthâsometimes referred to as the “fourth trimesterââcan be marked by mood fluctuations, fatigue, and, for some, an increased vulnerability to conditions like postpartum depression and anxiety. While postpartum depression is widely recognized, it is also important to note that postpartum psychosis, though rare, can occur in the weeks following childbirth, presenting as hallucinations, delusions, or severe confusion, and requiring urgent medical intervention to ensure the safety of both parent and child.[5]
Perimenopause and Menopause
Menopause marks another significant transition, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disruptions, and changes in metabolism. These changes can heighten the risk for anxiety, mood swings, and depressive episodes, particularly for those with a prior history of mental health concerns. The American Psychological Association highlights that up to 20% of women experience depressive symptoms during perimenopause and menopause[6], and many report feeling overwhelmed by emotional and cognitive changesâsometimes described as âbrain fog.â
In the post-menopausal period, ongoing hormonal shifts may contribute to lingering mood disturbances and increased vulnerability to conditions such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease,[7] underscoring the importance of comprehensive support that addresses both physical and psychological well-being during and after this life stage.
Mental health and women-specific conditions and illnesses
The Endometriosis Foundation of America reports that women with the disease are twice as likely to experience depression and three times as likely to face anxiety[8], due in part to chronic pain and fatigue, necessitating frequent absences and impairing workplace productivity.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age, also carries a significant mental health burden. Studies show women with PCOS are up to three times more likely to experience depressive symptoms than their peers without the condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2023, PCOS affected approximately 1 in 10 women in the United States. Furthermore, more than half of women with PCOS develop type 2 diabetes by age 40 further impacting medical costs[9].
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the US, after skin cancer. It’s also the second-leading cause of cancer death (after lung cancer). According to the American Cancer SocietyÂź, about 1 in 8 women will get invasive breast cancer in their lifetime[10]. The American Cancer Society also found that nearly 30% of women with breast cancer experience anxiety and depressive symptoms, often exacerbated by concerns about body image, fertility, and mortality7. The psychological toll extends to those facing uterine or ovarian cancer, with the National Institutes of Health underscoring the need for integrated mental health support during and after treatment[11].
The Womenâs Health Gap: An ongoing challenge
According to a recent Commonwealth Fund report, one notable concern within the womenâs health gap is the delayed diagnosis of heart diseaseâthe number one killer of women in the U.S.âcompared to men[12],[13]. This disparity is often attributed to the longstanding misconception that heart disease is a âmaleâ condition, combined with the fact that women frequently present with subtler or atypical symptomsâsuch as fatigue or nauseaârather than the classic chest pain. As a result, their symptoms may be overlooked or misattributed, contributing to an increased risk of complications and poorer mental health.
Access to care is another critical factor. The KFF highlights disparities in insurance coverage, affordability, and availability of female-specific mental health services. Women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and those in low-income communities face even steeper barriers, amplifying stress and reducing opportunities for optimal wellness[14].
A study from the World Economic Forum (the Forum) in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute (MHI) shows that closing the womenâs health gap represents an opportunity to add $1 trillion to the global GDP annually by 2040[15]. This economic growth would result from increased productivity, with women having fewer health conditions and a greater capacity to contribute to society.
An integrated approach to address womenâs unique mental health needs
Ultimately, addressing the intersection of mental health and womenâs physical health requires a holistic approachâone that not only acknowledges the unique challenges women face across the lifespan but also prioritizes timely diagnosis, equitable access to care, and comprehensive support systems. By closing these persistent gaps, all women can be empowered to achieve both physical and psychological well-being, resulting in healthier individuals, communities, and businesses.
Visit our Cigna Healthcare Mental Health Support page for more information and resources to improve your overall well-being.
This content was created with assistance from AI tools. The material has been reviewed and edited by a human to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT), or its affiliates. In Utah, all products and services are provided by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT).
[1]National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Committee on the Assessment of NIH Research on Womenâs Health; Geller A, Salganicoff A, Burke SP, editors. A New Vision for Womenâs Health Research: Transformative Change at the National Institutes of Health. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); February 2025. The Biological Basis for Womenâs Health Through the Lens of Chromosomes and Hormones.
[2] U.S. Department of Labor, Labor Force Status of Men and Women, August 2025.
[3] Office on Womenâs Health, Liguori F, Saraiello E, Calella P. Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder’s Impact on Quality of Life, and the Role of Physical Activity. Medicina (Kaunas). November 2023.
[4] Identifying Mental Health Issues Associated With Infertility. Author: Michele Martens, Matt Schroer, Ty Williams, Betsy Kennedy. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, February 2023.
[5] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health NIH Publication No. 23-MH-8116. Revised 2023
[6] American Psychological Association, Menopause can be rough. Psychology is here to help. Tori DeAngelis, September 2023.
[7] Office on Womenâs Health, Menopause and your health, March 2025.
[8] Endometriosis and mental health disorders: identiïŹcation and treatment as part of a multimodal approach, Anna Lena Zippl, M.D., Elisabeth Reiser, M.D., and Beata Seeber, M.D., March 2024.
[9] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Diabetes and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), May 2024.
[10] American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts for Women, May 2025.
[11] National Institutes of Health, The Impact of Cancer on Mental Health and the Importance of Supportive Services, Fereidouni Z, Dehghan Abnavi S, Ghanbari Z, Gashmard R, Zarepour F, Khalili Samani N, Rajesh Sharma A, Ghasemi A. The Impact of Cancer on Mental Health and the Importance of Supportive Services. Galen Med J. February 2024.
[12] Commonwealth Fund, To Improve Cardiac Outcomes for Women, Increase Their Representation,â July 2023.
[13] Go Red for WomenÂź, The Facts about Women and Heart Disease, accessed September 2025.
[14] Kaiser Family Foundation, Access to Fertility Care: Findings from the 2024 KFF Womenâs Health Survey, Usha Ranji, Karen Diep, Brittni Frederiksen, Ivette Gomez, and Alina Salganicoff, October 2024.
[15] McKinsey Health Institute, Blueprint to close the womenâs health gap: How to improve lives and economies for all, January 2025.
Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The
Cigna Group, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT), or its affiliates. In Utah, all
products and services are provided by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT).
Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The
Cigna Group, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT), or its affiliates. In Utah, all
products and services are provided by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT).