Menopause is a normal transition in a woman’s life, typically between ages 45 and 55. Most people associate menopause with physical symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. But menopause can also affect your mental health.
While each woman responds to hormone changes differently, it’s important to understand the facts about menopause and mental health. That way, you can take better care of yourself during your season of change.
Menopause and Mental Health
Mental health issues can happen during perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause. When your hormone levels drop, your brain chemistry can change, leading to emotional disruptions that impact your mental well-being.
Some women may not notice any changes, while others experience more severe challenges. They can be milder, like those of premenstrual syndrome. Or they may be more intense, like postpartum depression.
Potential Effects of Hormone Changes
Fluctuating hormones influence your body’s production of serotonin. After all, it's a chemical in the brain that's bound to affect mood and well-being. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, four in 10 women have mood changes perimenopause.
Here are some ways your hormones may affect you:
- Fatigue: exhaustion impacts mood and brain function
- Impatience: frustration, annoyance and less tolerance
- Mental fog: trouble focusing, forgetfulness or confusion
- Mood swings: irritability, sadness, depression and anxiety
Keep in mind that menopause also can be a challenging season due to other life changes at this time. Often, women work demanding jobs or manage a career transition, send kids to college, and care for aging parents. These demands can add emotional stress.
Menopause and Mental Illness
If you have depression or anxiety before entering perimenopause, your symptoms may worsen as you go through this season. But even if you haven’t had mental health issues before, hormone changes may cause new challenges.
Some conditions related to mental health and menopause include:
- Anxiety: The connection between anxiety and menopause is less clear. Some women say they worry more and feel tense. They may have panic attacks where they sweat, tremble and have trouble breathing
- Bipolar disorder: Women with bipolar disorder may have more mood swings during menopause. Hormone changes can trigger bouts of mania and depression
- Depression: The risk of depression increases during the menopause transition. That can mean persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness or worthlessness. You may also have changes in appetite, fatigue or lack of interest in activities
- Menopause psychosis: This is a rare health condition when you lose contact with reality. You may have trouble thinking logically, hallucinate or have delusions. Some may characterize this as menopause and mental breakdown
- Postpartum psychosis and menopause: If you had postpartum psychosis, your risk increases for mental health issues during menopause. Tell your doctor about mental health concerns you’ve had after pregnancy
Treating Mental Health Issues
If you have any signs of mental illness during any stage of menopause, talk to your doctor right away. They can provide treatment and connect you with a psychiatrist if necessary.
There are several ways to treat mental health issues during menopause. You may find one option is effective or try a combination.
- Exercise: Regular exercise has many benefits for your physical and mental health. Research shows it boosts your mood and reduces anxiety and depression
- Healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet enhances your overall health. Choosing nutritious foods increases your energy and contributes to your physical and mental well-being
- Medication: Hormone therapy can ease many physical and mental symptoms of menopause. Antidepressants can help manage depression and anxiety. Mood stabilizers can help if you have bipolar disorder. Note that hormonal changes can affect how your body processes medicine. Your doctor may need to adjust the dosage, change medication or combine therapies
- Sleep: Addressing sleep disruptions and insomnia helps you feel rested, which improves your mood and brain function
- Stress management: Proactively manage your stress with activities you enjoy that help you relax. These can include prayer, journaling or deep breathing
- Support system: Staying connected to your family and friends positively impacts your well-being. Support groups also provide an empathetic community
- Therapy: Talking with a counselor can help you process your feelings and develop coping strategies. With cognitive behavioral therapy, you can identify and replace negative thought patterns
Accessing Support
Menopause is a natural life change. But that doesn’t mean you must suffer from the mental health issues that may accompany it. Talk to your doctor about your concerns so you can prioritize self-care. By proactively managing your mental health, you can navigate this season.
AdventHealth can help. To learn more about menopause, contact us. Make an appointment with a behavioral specialist here.
