Menopause Can Affect A Woman’s Mental Health

Menopause brings about physical and hormonal changes to a woman’s body that can affect her mental health. Menopausal women often experience hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, memory loss, mood swings, bloating, depression and irrational thinking. These changes can also affect relationships.

Menopause

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s child baring years and the end of her menstrual cycle as she stops ovulating and becomes infertile. For some women menopause symptoms can begin around their 40s or even 50s. Menopause is a normal part of the life cycle of a woman’s reproductive system.

Psychology Today, describes menopause as, “…the time during which a woman’s ovaries begin producing less oestrogen and progesterone and cease the ripening and releasing of ova. The transition can last up to five years and typically occurs at mid-life. The hallmark of menopause is a woman’s loss of menstrual cycle—rendering her unable to conceive for the remainder of her life. But a woman’s body undergoes many additional changes that are both physical and psychological in nature, including hot flashes, night sweats, irregular heartbeat, headaches and sleep difficulties. Menopause is also often accompanied by mood swings, irritability, depression, and anxiety, as well as cognitive symptoms like forgetfulness. Other symptoms of menopause may include urine leakage, vaginal dryness, infection, painful sexual intercourse, and joint aches or pains.”

Menopause is a part of the natural aging process for women. Each individual’s experience with menopause can differ from the next. It’s crucial that we seek medical advice when needed during menopause as the symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Dealing with Menopause & Treatment

Because each case is different it is best to see a doctor who may be ableto help alleviate symptoms by recommending or prescribing medications. Quite often menopausal women are placed on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to stabilise their moods and to receive some relief from the symptoms of menopause.

According to an article published in Psych Central, studies have found that more and more women are seeking the help of a psychologist to help with the emotional changes and mental health symptoms of Menopause.

Peri-menopause

During the lead up to menopause, a woman will go through a stage called ‘perimenopause’ that can last around 5 years.   Some of the symptoms of menopause will be present along with irregular periods. Perimenopause means, ‘around menopause’.

What is Andropause?

Similarly men go through a change of life called, ‘Andropause’.

Pastor Kevin Mitchell explains

“Andropause is the impact of decreasing androgens, also called, “Male Menopause.” It is a normal part of aging, although, for some men it is accompanied by a gradual and undesired decline in their sexuality, mood and overall energy. Sometimes it can even expose men to more serious health risks.”

Further Reading

Read more about Menopause on The Better Health Channel

Sources:  

Psyche Central –Menopause Its Mental Health Impact http://pro.psychcentral.com/menopause-its-mental-health-impact/002062.html

Pastor Kevin Mitchell – What is Andropause? http://www.livingthelovewalk.org/what-is-andropause/

Psychology Today – What is Menopause? https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/menopause

Image courtesy of:www.freedigitalphotos.net /stockimages

Seeking Help

It is recommended that men and women seek the help of their GP and/or a counsellor should they experience changes affecting their mental health and general well-being.