What Are the Mental Health Challenges of Menopause?
Menopause marks a major milestone in a woman’s life. While it’s a natural transition to the end of her reproductive years, the changes aren’t always easy. While we often talk about the physical parts, like night sweats and hot flashes, we don’t usually talk about the mental struggles aging women face.
For women who have a mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, menopause can make their symptoms resurface. Understanding the mental health challenges of menopause is the first step to getting appropriate treatment.
Mood Swings
Hormonal fluctuations, particularly the decline in estrogen levels, are the biggest culprit for mood swings during menopause. Estrogen isn’t just a reproductive hormone; it also impacts neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood.
As estrogen levels drop, neurotransmitter levels may become imbalanced, leading to fluctuating emotions, irritability, anxiety, and even depression. In other words, these huge hormonal shifts are an expected part of the menopause process, and feeling upset, worried, or angry isn’t a personal failing at this stage in a woman’s life.
Anxiety
Many women report feeling increased anxiety during menopause. It’s normal to worry about the physical changes they’re going through, such as insomnia, heart palpitations, changes in libido, or hot flashes.
The more existential worries about aging, loss of fertility, or the perceived loss of femininity can also contribute to anxiety at this time. Some women may experience more panic attacks as they go through menopause; however, panic attacks can sometimes be confused as hot flashes.
Depression
Menopause can be a triggering time for depression, especially for those with a history of mood disorders. The hormonal changes, especially when coupled with big changes such as children leaving the nest or a career shift, can make depressive symptoms worse.
The uncomfortable physical symptoms and sleep disturbances associated with menopause can further contribute to depression.
Relationship Dynamics
Menopause can also affect intimate relationships. Physical symptoms like vaginal dryness or decreased libido can have an impact on intimacy and sexual satisfaction for both partners.
Mood swings, anxiety, and depressive symptoms can also put a damper on emotional and physical intimacy, which can lead to conflict in the relationship. A rocky relationship can further exacerbate the negative mental health challenges of menopause.
Caring for Yourself During Menopause
Eat and sleep well
Eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep are two powerful lifestyle changes that can help you take control of your mental well-being. Make sure you’re eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and getting the nutrients your body needs through these hormonal changes. Sleeping at least eight hours a night is a great way to care for your brain and give yourself time to reset.
Communicate with your support system
Now is the time to rely on those closest to you for support. If you have a partner, communicate with them honestly about your feelings. Reach out to the women in your life who can give you advice about the many transitions during menopause.
Talk to your doctor
While many of these changes are a normal part of growing older, deeply struggling with your mental health is not. Talk with your medical doctor about possible interventions, such as hormone replacement therapy, that might ease your symptoms. They can also determine whether your mental health issues are actually caused by menopause or have another underlying reason.
Seek therapy
Menopause can be an introspective, existential journey. Whether you’re trying to cope with the mental health effects of these changes or just want to talk about your feelings, therapy can help. A therapist can offer guidance and support as you transition from your old life to your new one.
To find out more about how therapy can help women through menopause, please reach out to us.