Menopause and mental health: Symptoms and management
The hormonal changes associated with menopause can affect a person's mental health. A person may also experience changes in their mental health due to the physical symptoms of menopause.
Menopause is a natural event in which a person permanently stops having menstrual periods. The menopausal transition, or perimenopause, describes the time leading up to menopause in which a person experiences changes in the menstrual cycle and other symptoms.
This article explores the mental health symptoms someone may experience during the menopausal transition. It also examines how the physical symptoms of the menopausal transition may affect a person's mental health, tips for managing mental health during the menopausal transition, and when to speak with a healthcare professional.
You'll notice the language used to share stats and other data points is pretty binary, fluctuating between the use of 'male' and 'female' or 'men' and 'women.' While we typically avoid language like this, specificity is key when reporting on research participants and clinical findings.changes in mood, such as increased irritability
increased irritability signs of depression, which may include chronic feelings of: sadness emptiness guilt or worthlessness
signs of anxiety, which can involve feelings of:
Gender roles and expectations may also affect a person's mental health. In heterosexual relationships, women still do the most child care and household labor overall. These responsibilities, combined with the physical symptoms of menopause, may contribute to stress and other changes in mental health.
Furthermore, some people may experience changes in mental health due to changes in caregiving responsibilities, such as children leaving home or older relatives requiring care due to illness or disability. Hot flashes: A hot flash describes a rush of heat that affects the upper body and face. If a hot flash occurs at night, it may interrupt someone's sleep and lead to tiredness or fatigue during the day. Lack of sleep may contribute to irritability and feelings of depression.
A hot flash describes a rush of heat that affects the upper body and face. If a hot flash occurs at night, it may interrupt someone's sleep and lead to tiredness or fatigue during the day. Lack of sleep may contribute to irritability and feelings of depression. Vaginal dryness: As estrogen decreases during the menopausal transition, the lining of the vagina may become dryer, thinner, and less elastic. This may cause pain during sex, which, in turn, may cause feelings of anxiety or distress.
As estrogen decreases during the menopausal transition, the lining of the vagina may become dryer, thinner, and less elastic. This may cause pain during sex, which, in turn, may cause feelings of anxiety or distress. Low sex drive: People often experience low libido during the menopausal transition. This may lead to feelings of anxiety.
People often experience low libido during the menopausal transition. This may lead to feelings of anxiety. Sleep problems: Menopause may contribute to sleep problems, such as insomnia and waking up much earlier than usual. Changes in sleep schedule may contribute to irritability and other changes in mood.
Menopause may contribute to sleep problems, such as insomnia and waking up much earlier than usual. Changes in sleep schedule may contribute to irritability and other changes in mood. Urinary incontinence: Individuals often experience difficulties with bladder control and an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) during menopause. This may lead to feelings of anxiety and irritability.
Individuals often experience difficulties with bladder control and an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) during menopause. This may lead to feelings of anxiety and irritability. Changes in body composition: People may lose muscle while gaining fat, experience skin dryness and thinning, or have muscle and joint pain or stiffness. These changes may lead to lower self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence, as well as negative body image. A 2023 review suggests that menopausal symptoms are associated with a more negative body image perception.
Some tips for managing mental health during menopause include:
People may need to try several different management techniques or a combination of management techniques before finding the right one for them. » Learn more:Natural remedies to help manage perimenopause symptoms
A person should contact a doctor if they notice any new or worsening mental health symptoms during the menopausal transition.
A healthcare professional can recommend appropriate treatment and other resources to help with the mental and physical symptoms of menopause.
If they experience severe mental health symptoms, such as suicidal ideation, they should contact their local emergency services.
Some possible mental health symptoms associated with the menopausal transition include changes in mood and signs of anxiety and depression.
People may also experience changes in mental health, such as low self-esteem and self-confidence, due to the physical symptoms of menopause.
Tips for managing mental health during menopause include seeking support from loved ones, speaking with a mental health professional, and talking with a doctor about treatments for the physical symptoms.
A person should contact a healthcare professional if they notice any new or worsening mental health symptoms during the menopausal transition.
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