The person who said, “There are only two certainties in life — death and taxes,” was obviously a man. For women, menopause is also an inescapable certainty.
Physiologically, menopause marks the end of your menstrual cycle. Physically, you may experience vaginal dryness, hot flashes and night sweats, chills, irregular sleep patterns, weight gain, thinning hair, dry skin, loss of breast fullness, “brain fog,” and mood changes.
The stigma surrounding menopause, while stupid, is real and can lead to isolation that may enhance the emotional challenges of menopause.
The bottom line is menopause sucks, and the emotional strain menopause can cause, especially if you have a pre-existing mood disorder, is real and should be taken seriously.
what’s normal vs. when it’s “something else”
Feeling sad or depressed, irritable, anxious, stressed out, forgetful, and fatigued are all typical mood changes related to menopause’s hormone changes. You should consult your healthcare provider to evaluate your symptoms to ensure your feelings aren’t out of the ordinary.
If you have a pre-existing mental health disorder, menopause may worsen symptoms, and you should consult with your mental healthcare provider to monitor your condition.
- Research suggests women who experienced severe PMS and/or postpartum depression may have more severe mood swings during menopause.
- If you are being treated for depression or have been treated in the past, be aware that your symptoms can worsen during menopause.
- If you live with bipolar disorder, menopause can lead to more depressive episodes than those without. This is likely to be linked to the decrease in estrogen, which naturally happens during menopause.
- Women with pre-existing schizophrenia may experience worsening conditions, and medical attention should be sought.
This is by no means a definitive list, and if you have any concerns about your emotional health, contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our care providers.
To learn more, visit the Menopause page on our a focus on women website.
