Finding the Hidden Connection: Menopause and Brain Aneurysms: Our Pledge to build Greater Awareness and Research

Today, on World Menopause Day 2024, we’re focussing 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 2024

On Menopause Awareness Day 2024, we are pledging to take action. This is not just about raising awareness, but about starting conversations that will make a real, measurable change. Our pledge includes four key commitments:

1. Engaging with researchers who are working to increase knowledge and understanding of brain aneurysms, specifically in relation to menopause.

2. Understanding and sharing current research with our community, ensuring women have access to the latest findings and advice.

3. Recognising the gaps in knowledge and pushing for answers by advocating for more research, particularly on the link between menopause and aneurysm risk.

4. Calling for personalised care options for women pre-post-menopause, balancing the need to information and joint decision making with care professionals.

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:

• Why are Women More Likely to Develop Brain Aneurysms?

• Association of Reproductive Life Span and Age at Menopause with the Risk of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

• Why Are Women Predisposed to Intracranial Aneurysms?

• Younger Age of Menopause in Women with Cerebral Aneurysms

• Relationship Between Estrogen Hormones and Rupture of Cerebral Aneurysm in Premenopausal Women

More about Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support

• Read more about us

• Latest research

• Find out about support