Menopause and mental health have a connection. Menopause can lead to various mental health issues such as mood changes, anxiety, anger, irritability, and depression. This is due to fluctuating hormone levels in the body.
Hot flashes and lack of sleep, declining sex drive and circumstances further contribute to mood swings.
Menopause and mental health already have a connection. Various life events such as retirement, loss of parents, loss of near and dear ones, the onset of chronic ailments, children leaving the home can all add up and lead to mental health issues.
Some women may not have any symptoms and others may have the whole range.
Mood swings are characterized by being sad, anxious, panicky, tiredness all the while, lack of interest in routine activities, low on confidence, lack of decision making and similar changes. Low mood often gets better in a few days or weeks.
Depression is a much more serious condition in which a very low mood lasts for 2 weeks or more. It should not be confused with mood swings.
Other symptoms of depression are feeling lost and hopeless, not living a routine life, not going to work, and having suicidal thoughts.
Fluctuating estrogen levels are the key cause of the mood swings. Serotonin is an important substance in the body that plays an important role in controlling various systems in the body but has an important role in controlling the mood.
Low or fluctuating levels of serotonin are cause for bod mood. Once the fluctuations settle and the body gets acclimatized to the low levels, the mood swings will settle.
Menopause And Mental Health: Management Of Mood Swings
A positive attitude to menopause can make a world of difference.
If one feels that due to menopause one is less feminine then she is more likely to have mood swings as compared to the woman who thinks menopause is freedom from periods and fear of unwanted pregnancy.
Healthy lifestyle – Adequate rest, healthy diet (increasing soya intake in diet), regular exercise can be very useful.
Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. These can worsen the mental health.
Yoga And Meditation.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of talking therapy that can improve low mood and feelings of anxiety. Ideally dealt with by a psychologist.
Medication such as HRT and Antidepressants can be very useful.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help emotional symptoms due to menopause but is not effective in treating severe depression.
Anti-depressants are very safe and effective in the management of symptoms and are regularly used under the supervision of mental health professionals.
