Menopause in women with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder

•Menopausal symptoms may have a negative impact on the course of severe mental illness.•Menopause is a risk factor for mood symptoms, but the evidence on the effect of menopause on new-onset severe mental illness is inconclusive.•The prevalence of chronic disease is higher in women with severe mental illness than in the general population.•The management of menopause in women with severe mental illness should take a multi-disciplinary approach.