UPDATED 2025 - Finding The Hidden Connection Between Menopause And Brain Aneurysms: Our Pledge To Build Greater Awareness And Research
- HBA Support
- Oct 7
- 3 min read
Last year we made a pledge on World Menopause Day 2024, to focus on women – their risk of having an aneurysm and their risk of aneurysm rupture, especially those who have gone through the menopause.
Women are already more likely than men to develop brain aneurysms, with studies showing they are 1.5 times more likely to be affected. But after menopause, the risk rises sharply, increasing to 2.2 times more than in men.
So why is this? The truth is, we don’t fully know. There are several theories, one of which focuses on estrogen, a hormone that helps maintain the elasticity of blood vessels. As estrogen levels drop after menopause, the ability of blood vessels to remain flexible may be reduced, potentially increasing the risk of aneurysm formation. In addition to this, there’s evidence that inflammation could be a contributing factor, further complicating our understanding of the mechanisms at play.
While the influence of genetics is also being explored, especially for women with a family history of brain aneurysms, the lack of concrete answers leaves many questions unanswered.
What we do know is that there are huge gaps in the information, no tailored advice, a lack of conclusive research available and that the women in the UK deserve better, especially those who have a strong family history of aneurysms. For the women affected by this increased risk—particularly those who already have a history of aneurysms in their family—this uncertainty can be both worrying and frustrating.
At HBA Support, we believe it’s time to address this head on. That’s why we’re pleased to support genetic research that will look at these critical questions and find much needed answers.
Our Pledge for World Menopause Day - UPDATED 2025
On Menopause Awareness Day 2024, we pledged to take action across four key commitments. Here's how we are getting on:
|
|
|
|
These promises are not just words. We know there is a long road ahead in terms of research, but by working together with the medical community, researchers, and our supporters, we can start important dialogues and begin to bridge the gap in understanding, ensuring women receive the care and attention they deserve during this stage of life. The knowledge gap may be wide, but with the right research and community support, we can start to close it.
Further Reading
If you’d like to learn more about the connection between menopause and brain aneurysms, here is some academic research you may like to read:
