Mental HealthThe Effects Of Menopause On Mental Health

Menopause is a major transition for many people. It begins around the middle years (40s and 50s) and can for a few years. This is a long transition and can result in some major physical and mental health changes.

The effects of menopause on mental health are not as understood by the public as its effects on physical health. For example, many people don’t realize that menopause may develop or worsen mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. Read on to learn about what happens to the body during menopause and how those changes affect mental health.

What Happens To Your Body During Menopause?

Menopause is a transition time where a body that once menstruated and could become pregnant ends these cycles. During the transition, the body goes through many physical and hormonal changes that can alter both the physical health and mental health of the person in question.

During this period, people going through menopause may experience many physical symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleeping problems, and weight changes. Depending on the severity of these symptoms, this period can significantly hinder the life of a person in menopause as well as their mental health.

How Do These Changes Affect Your Mental Health?

Though most people understand the physical changes that occur during menopause, fewer understand how this transition affects mental health. Below are some mental health conditions and concerns that people with menopause experience.

Depression

The dramatic hormonal changes that occur during menopause sometimes develop mild cases of depression. This can occur to anyone, even those who do not have a history of mood disorders or other mental health conditions. Luckily, the symptoms are usually mild and severe cases are rare.

However, those who have a history of depression sometimes see a worsening of their symptoms. This is especially true for those whose moods are dramatically affected by their menstruation cycle before reaching menopause. Though the worsening of symptoms is sometimes attributed to hormonal changes, external factors (such as an aging body, career and home stress, juggling responsibilities, and other major life changes) may also play a role in this.

Anxiety

The connection between menopause and anxiety is less understood. However, many people may experience anxiety during this transition. What makes the relationship complicated is that the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks often overlap with the symptoms of hot flashes. As a result, so many people with menopause may think they are having a panic attack when they are actually having a hot flash (and vice versa).

However, people going through menopause also encounter many life changes during this period which may contribute to anxiety. For example, aging parents, major career and life decisions, and children leaving home can all contribute to feelings and symptoms of anxiety.

Worsening Of Psychiatric Disorders And Other Mood Disorders

Menopause and the hormonal shifts that come with it have been shown to worsen or even develop certain psychiatric disorders. For example, people with bipolar disorder often report worsening symptoms during their menopausal years.

A more concerning trend is that some people develop schizophrenia during this time. Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric condition that most commonly forms before adulthood. It is rare that someone develops this condition after passing their young adult years. However, there is a spike in cases during middle-aged years, which has now been linked with menopause. Those who already live with schizophrenia may see a worsening of their symptoms.

How To Care For Your Mental Health During Menopause

One of the best ways to care for your mental health during menopause is to take care of your physical health. Healthy lifestyle changes such as consuming a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and sleeping well can do wonders for your mental health. These changes often help people with mild symptoms of depression, anxiety, or similar mental health conditions.

It’s also important to surround yourself with supportive and loving people during this transition. Frequent socialization can keep you happy and ease symptoms of the mood disorders listed above.

Finally, if you’re going through menopause, you should have frequent discussions with your doctor as well as a counselor. While a doctor can help you with the physical symptoms, a counselor can work with you to ease your mental health symptoms. This is especially important if you have had mental health conditions previously that are worsening or you exhibit signs of the development of schizophrenia.

Bottom Line

Menopause is a major transition that can take up the health of a person’s life for years. Therefore, it is important to understand both the physical and mental health concerns for this period. If you have concerns about your mental health during this time, speak with a doctor or counselor for guidance and treatment options.

Marie Miguel Biography

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

This is a sponsored post