How Menopause Impacts Women’s Mental Health

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Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle and is officially diagnosed after a continuous absence of menstruation for 12 months. While the average age of menopause is 51, variations do exist. Therefore, in some women, it may occur earlier or later.

Symptoms of menopause can occur months or years in advance of the actual halt of menstruation and usually consist of the following:

• Hot Flashes
• Sleep Difficulties
• Weight Gain
• Thinning or Loss of Hair
• Irregular Periods
• Vaginal Dryness
• Loss of Breast Fullness

Naturally, these symptoms can vary in each woman, resulting in a wide range of experiences and varying degrees of intensity of these symptoms. Besides these above-mentioned physical symptoms, there are also psychological symptoms that may be experienced, such as:

• Anger and Irritability
• Mood Changes
• Anxiety
• Forgetfulness
• Loss of Self-esteem
• Poor Concentration (“Brain Fog”)

To further elaborate on the effects of menopause on mental health, evidence was found that women are more likely to experience panic attacks during and after menopausal transition. Furthermore, studies have also concluded that women are more likely to suffer from major depressive episodes during menopause. Additionally, women going through menopausal transition have been found to exacerbate existing mental health issues, for instance, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, due to the depleting levels of oestrogen.

As mentioned above, the symptoms of menopause are related to the change in levels of the female reproductive hormones, such as oestrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinising hormone. However, the symptoms are not fully explained by them. Other factors, such as stress levels and lifestyle, can influence these symptoms.

Psychological symptoms, like physical symptoms of menopausal transition, can be experienced differently by all women. Consequently, there is more than one way to tackle the symptoms, which can be understandingly frustrating. However, to safeguard your mental health during the menopausal transition, no matter the extent to which you experience the symptoms, it is recommended to:

• Be aware of the symptoms that come along with menopause.
• Keep track of your mood changes and monitor potential causes.
• Adapt your lifestyle by being physically active, ensuring enough rest and controlling stress.
• Get in touch with other people to not feel lonely during this transition.

If the menopausal symptoms become too severe and interfere with your daily life, feel free to reach out for assistance. At Incontact, our team of skilled professionals is here to support you in adjusting to this new phase of life and guide you through the transition.