When people think of menopause, they typically associate it with physical symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and changes in the menstrual cycle. Although these symptoms can be challenging, they are only one aspect of this transition. Menopause brings a lot of mental and emotional health changes to your life. It affects the way a person thinks, feels, and copes with daily life, but these discussions often go unaddressed.
In recent years, public figures like Halle Berry have helped bring menopause-related conversations into the spotlight. She has openly shared her experiences with menopause, helping normalize discussions around this life transition. Let’s understand the mental health challenges that women usually go through during this phase.
Hormonal Changes
Menopause is a natural phase of life during which estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate and eventually decline. These hormones regulate reproductive health and also affect other bodily functions. Estrogen plays a key role in brain function, affecting mood-regulating chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. These mood-regulating chemicals, in turn, influence how calm, motivated, and emotionally balanced you feel. When estrogen levels decline in the body, the brain needs to adjust, which can lead to emotional and psychological symptoms that may feel overwhelming.
Anxiety
Women often feel anxious during menopause. You may feel worried for no reason, be constantly on edge, or suddenly get overwhelmed by situations that may seem minor to others. In some cases, women also experience restlessness, racing thoughts, and even panic attacks. This happens due to hormonal changes, which increase sensitivity to stress. Insomnia and night sweats can worsen your anxiety even more.
Mood Swings
During this phase, women can feel intense and unpredictable mood swings. One moment, you may feel fine, and the next, you may feel emotionally drained or irritable. The emotional sensitivity during this phase often coincides with other major life changes like aging, career transitions, or children leaving home. When combined, these internal and external pressures can make you feel even more emotional and vulnerable.
Depression
In some women, menopause can increase the risk of depression. It can show up in the form of persistent sadness, low energy, hopelessness, or loss of interest in activities. However, it isn’t necessary that only women with a history of depression experience such symptoms during menopause. Some people think that occasionally feeling low also means that a person is suffering from depression, but that’s not true. If the low mood persists for weeks and starts affecting daily functioning, then it usually indicates depression, and seeking professional help becomes vital.
Cognitive Changes
Women often experience “brain fog” in this phase. This can include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, or trouble finding words. These changes can be frustrating and may increase anxiety, especially in social settings. While these symptoms are usually temporary, they can still affect your overall confidence and emotional health.
Get Professional Support
Mental health support can be quite beneficial during menopause. A therapist can provide a safe space to talk about the emotional challenges you may be going through and help you learn effective coping strategies. Get in touch with MySpectrum Counseling & Coaching today for personalized therapy in Virginia. With our support, you can grow and move through this phase of life with ease.