Psychological changes during menopause. Menopause and mental health 2022-11-08
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Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. It is characterized by the cessation of menstrual periods and the decline of estrogen and progesterone production in the ovaries. While the physical symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, are well known, the psychological changes that can occur during this time are often overlooked. However, these changes can have a significant impact on a woman's mental health and well-being.
One of the most common psychological changes during menopause is an increase in feelings of anxiety and stress. This can be due to the hormonal changes that occur during this time, as well as the challenges and responsibilities that many women face as they enter midlife. For example, women may be caring for aging parents, raising children, and managing demanding careers, all while dealing with the physical and emotional changes of menopause. These stressors can lead to increased feelings of anxiety and difficulty coping with daily tasks.
Depression is another common psychological change that can occur during menopause. This may be due to the hormonal fluctuations that occur during this time, as well as the social and cultural changes that many women experience as they age. For example, women may feel a sense of loss as they leave behind their reproductive years, or they may face discrimination or negative stereotypes about aging. These factors can contribute to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low self-esteem.
In addition to anxiety and depression, menopause can also lead to changes in a woman's mood and emotional state. Many women experience mood swings and irritability during this time, which can be due to the fluctuating hormone levels that occur during menopause. These mood changes can be difficult to predict and manage, and they can have a significant impact on relationships and daily life.
It is important to recognize that these psychological changes during menopause are normal and common, and that there are ways to manage and cope with them. Seeking support from friends, family, and healthcare professionals can be helpful, as can engaging in self-care practices such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and maintaining a healthy diet. Hormonal therapies, such as hormone replacement therapy, may also be effective in relieving some of the physical and psychological symptoms of menopause.
In conclusion, menopause is a time of significant physical and psychological changes for many women. While these changes can be challenging, they are also an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. By recognizing and addressing the psychological changes that can occur during menopause, women can take control of their mental health and well-being, and navigate this transition with resilience and grace.
Menopause and Your Brain: Hormones, Emotions, and More
Mood changes: Hormone changes can make you feel anxious, irritable, and tired. By taking steps to care for their physical and mental health, women can successfully navigate this transitional phase of life. Stress can cause this kind of concentration and memory loss. There are other differences too. Be certain to discuss planned exercise routines with your doctor.
Books, websites, and support groups can provide information and solace, and many women find that talking to other women who are going through the same thing can be a great help. This is not the case, and help is available. Menopausal hormone therapy adult. This is often much more than walking into a room and not remembering why you have done so. . As you approach your late 30s, your ovaries start making less estrogen and progesterone — the hormones that regulate menstruation — and your fertility declines. Some of the most common symptoms are hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood swings, but the extent to which women suffer from all of these is variable.
Coping With Emotional Changes Of Menopause: The feeling of irritability and sadness is one of the most common symptoms of menopause but they can be coped up with some relaxation techniques and learning some ways to relax your mind and body. Office on Women's Health. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder which is a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome, affecting mood and postpartum depression are other examples of conditions that are driven by hormonal changes inside the body — in these cases, before menstruation or after childbirth. There is some evidence that women are more likely to experience panic attacks during and after the menopausal transition, she says. Try to focus on the positive opportunities that are available to you know, including the chance to develop a healthier diet and fitness routine that you can continue throughout the rest of your life.
Instead, hormone replacement therapy HRT is the first line medical treatment for these symptoms. A lack of estrogen can also cause greater fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and stress. Within moments you work yourself up into believing she was never really your friend at all. It gives more hot flashes to a woman and a woman may feel that she is in a constant state of PMS premenstrual symptoms. Psychologists as mental health care providers play a major role in understanding biological, behavioral, and social factors that influence mental health and physical wellbeing. When your estrogen levels decline, your risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Insomnia, fatigue and loss of libido can all have both physical and psychological causes and often the two are intertwined.
How can this help? Health Visitor, 63 3. The years leading up to menopause and the transition itself can bring changes to your body. Retrieved February 10, 2012, from. Know that it's temporary. And nothing seems to make any sense. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of menopause. Mood disturbances can be enhanced by the rejection of this stage, so embrace it! Before a hot flash, some women experience an "aura," which is term doctors use to describe a sensation preceding a brain condition such as migraine.
Many women gain weight during the menopausal transition and after menopause because metabolism slows. While mood swings during menopause are normal, you should learn more about them and how they affect your body so you can work through this time and find ways to manage your symptoms. Office on Women's Health. Women who have struggled in the past with depression or anxiety might also see a resurgence in symptoms. Also, if hot flashes and " Finally, sleeping with a window open and using light covers may provide the most help of all, since remaining cool during the night can help net you some better quality and more restful slumber. With the help of these services, many women can maintain healthy and fulfilling social lives during this transitional time. Your sex drive might change, too.
Menopause Emotions: How to Manage Your Mood Swings
Many women experience hot flashes, night sweats, and weight gain during menopause, leading to feelings of frustration and inadequacy. Also, the rapid drop in estrogen may not be the only thing affecting your mood. Still, as reliable as it may be, this information can not be a substitute for any other medical recommendation received by a qualified physician after an individual examination. You couldn't be closer if you were sisters. Here is a tip to be aware of if you are treated with an SSRI; they are associated with loss of bone mass. While these psychological effects of menopause can be challenging to cope with, several strategies can help.
Health Visitor, 61 5. The Manitoba Project: A reexamination of the link between menopause and depression. Additionally, menopause can often lead to a loss of libido, which can be a source of frustration for both women and their partners. However, estrogen therapy may also increase your risk of breast cancer and blood clots. Remembering or paying attention to different things can sometimes be really hard! Resources for women going through menopause Going through menopause can be a difficult time for many women. While all of this is important, none of it happens specifically because of menopause. These cancer therapies can induce menopause, causing symptoms such as hot flashes during or shortly after the course of treatment.
One in four women will experience severe symptoms. Monitor your mood and make note of patterns in other factors such as sleep and stress levels. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are especially susceptible to fractures of their spine, hips and wrists. If a vaginal lubricant isn't enough, many women benefit from the use of local vaginal estrogen treatment, available as a vaginal cream, tablet or ring. What are the physical changes during perimenopause? This causes problems, not only for her but for the people around her.
Treatments are available to help ease these symptoms. People who opt to treat their condition using antidepressants or other methods won't necessarily have to continue treatment forever, potentially just through this time period, she says. Often, menstrual periods will skip a month and return, or skip several months and then start monthly cycles again for a few months. Continue getting these appointments during and after menopause. The main message is this, if you are struggling with symptoms during the perimenopause or after the menopause itself, be they physical or psychological, then please see your doctor as there are lots of options available. And that, in turn, may help control mood swings for a whole day. You may be acting crazy, feeling crazy, thinking crazy thoughts -- but basically, you're OK.
