Menopause Mental Health

Menopause Mental Health

“All midlife health issues and concerns are important,
whether they are caused by menopause or not.
Speak with your doctor about any health issue or…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Menopause Mental Health Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Emotional Health/Welfare/Well-Being
  • Mental Health/Welfare/Well-Being
  • Psychological Health/Welfare/Well-Being
  • Social Health/Welfare/Well-Being
  • Well-Being

Definition

What is mental health?

DotS the definition of mental health may vary. The World Health Organization’s definition is:

“Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community. It has intrinsic and instrumental value and is a basic human right.

Mental health exists on a complex continuum, which is experienced differently from one person to the next. At any one time, a diverse set of individual, family, community and structural factors may combine to protect or undermine mental health. Although most people are resilient, people who are exposed to adverse circumstances are at higher risk of developing a mental health condition”.2

Menopause Mental/Emotional Health

Is there an association between menopause and our mental and emotional health?

In Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms – Mental and Emotional Health the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

“Menopause can affect your:

  • Mental health, which is your psychological wellbeing and how you think, make decisions and cope with daily life
  • Emotional health, which is how you experience, handle and express your moods, feelings and emotions”.3

Risk

Menopause Mental HealthIs the risk of mood changes and symptoms of depression and anxiety higher during perimenopause?

In Menopause and Mental Health, dated 05 September 2025, the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) note:

“While many women do not have mental health issues during the menopausal transition, unstable oestrogen levels can have an impact on the brain, predisposing some women to feelings of depression and anxiety”.4

Mental Health Conditions

What are some menopause mental health conditions?

In Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms – Mental and Emotional Health: Anxiety and Depression the JH explain:

Menopause Mood Changes“During perimenopause, some women will experience a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression.

If you have a history of anxiety, depression or premenstrual syndrome (PMS) you should watch carefully for signs that your mental health is being affected.

Mental health symptoms to look out for:

  • Feeling sad, low or depressed
  • Low energy and motivation
  • Feeling worried or anxious
  • Panic attacks
  • Reduced self-esteem or self-worth
  • Loss of sex drive (libido)”.5

In Menopause and Mental Health: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause the AMS include:

“Mental health symptoms related to menopause can include feeling:

  • Irritable
  • Sad
  • Anxious
  • Hopeless
  • Less able to concentrate or focus
  • Tired
  • Unmotivated”.6

Menopause Symptoms

Is there an association between menopause symptoms and mental health symptoms?

In Menopause and Mental Health: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause the AMS explain:

“Some of the common physical, memory and thinking symptoms related to menopause (hot flushes, night sweats, sleep and sexual disturbances, weight changes and “brain fog”) can complicate and overlap with mental health symptoms”.7

Other Issues

Is there an association between other issues and menopause mood changes?

In Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms the JH note:


“Not all of the health issues and concerns experienced by women in midlife (45 to 55 years of age) are due directly to menopause. Some might be due to ageing, or to other health conditions or to life pressures that affect our wellbeing”.8

Stress

Is there an association between stress and menopause mental health?

In Menopause and Mental Health: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause the AMS explain:

“Another complicating factor is stress related to life circumstances. Feeling stress is common during middle age as personal and environmental changes take place. This can have a strong effect on mood in some women. Life circumstances that can impact mental health include:

  • Caring for children
  • Caring for elderly parents
  • Career changes
  • Relationship changes
  • Ageing
  • Body changes
  • Illness”.9

Management

What may help manage our mental and emotional health?

In How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms: Managing Mental and Emotional Health the JH include:

“There are many practical things you can do to look after your emotional wellbeing at this stage of life. For example:

  • Talk to someone about your feelings, such as a friend, family member, doctor or psychologist
  • Take time for yourself and do things you enjoy
  • Get quality rest when you can
  • Do regular physical activity, especially in a group or with friends
  • Ask your doctor about cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
  • Practise relaxation techniques
  • Pay attention to your inner voice and practise using positive affirmations.

If you are experiencing strong emotions, anxiety or depression, see your doctor”.10

In Our Best Mental Health Tips – Backed By Research the (United Kingdom) Mental Health Foundation elaborate on:

  1. “Get closer to nature…
  2. Get more from your sleep
  3. Keep moving
  4. Eat healthy food…
  5. Be kind and help create a better world…
  6. Be curious and open-minded to new experiences…
  7. Plan things to look forward to…
  8. Learn to understand and manage your feelings…
  9. Talk to someone you trust for support…
  10. Be aware of using drugs and/or alcohol to cope with difficult feelings
  11. Try to make the most of your money and get help with problem debts…”.11

Hormone Therapy

May hormone therapy improve mood?

On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Benefits, dated February 2025, the (United States) Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) note:

“Hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatments available for bothersome hot flashes and night sweats. If hot flashes and night sweats are disrupting your daily activities and sleep, HT may improve sleep and fatigue, mood, ability to concentrate, and overall quality of life”.12

Treatment

What are some treatment options?

In Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms the JH note:

“Treatments that help your menopausal symptoms might not help with all the health issues you experience around the time of menopause. To understand and manage your own menopause, you might need to be ready to try different things to improve your health and wellbeing”.13

Online Resources, Programs, Apps and e-therapies

Are mental health online resources, programs, Apps and e-therapies available?

Depending on your Country, mental health online resources, programs,  Apps and e-therapies may be available.

Your health care provider, local community health center or your Country’s equivalent of a Mental Health website, may include information about your Country’s recommended mental health online resources, programs, Apps and e-therapies, similar to the (Australian) Government’s Head To Health and the (United Kingdom) Mental Health UK.

Health Care Provider

What if I do not feel like me anymore?

If you do not feel like you any more, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms the JH explain:

“All midlife health issues and concerns are important, whether they are caused by menopause or not. Speak with your doctor about any health issue or concern that is affecting your quality of life”.14

In Menopause and Mental Health: Untangling Physical and Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause the AMS elaborate on:

“Speaking with your doctor about your menopausal symptoms, life circumstances and clinical history can help them to recommend the best treatment options and lifestyle and behavioural changes for your situation”.15

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause Mental Health?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Mental Health?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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  11. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Menopause
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  13. Depression [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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  16. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Menopause and Mental Health: Managing Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Changes
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  25. Handling Hot Flushes and Night Sweats| Dr Louise Newson
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/ Accessed: 01 May 2026
  2. Mental Health: Overview. 08 October 2025. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response Accessed: 01 May 2026
  3. Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms – Mental and Emotional Health. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-menopausal-symptoms Accessed: 01 May 2026
  4. Menopause and Mental Health. o5 September 2025. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 01 May 2026
  5. Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms – Mental and Emotional Health: Anxiety and Depression. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/ Accessed: 01 May 2026
  6. Menopause and Mental Health: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause. 05 September 2025. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 01 May 2026
  7. Menopause and Mental Health: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause. 05 September 2025. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 01 May 2026
  8. Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms – Mental and Emotional Health. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/ Accessed: 01 May 2026
  9. Menopause and Mental Health: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause. 05 September 2026. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 01 May 2026
  10. How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms: Managing Mental and Emotional Health. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/how-to-manage-menopausal-symptoms/#managing-mood-and-emotional-health Accessed: 01 May 2026
  11. Our Best Mental Health Tips – Backed By Research. Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/our-best-mental-health-tips Accessed: 01 May 2026
  12. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Benefits. 2025:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/default-document-library/MenoNote-Deciding-About-HT-2025.pdf Accessed: 01 May 2026
  13. Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms – Mental and Emotional Health. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/ Accessed: 01 May 2026
  14. Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms – Mental and Emotional Health. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/ Accessed: 01 May 2026
  15. Menopause and Mental Health: Untangling Physical and Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause. 05 September 2025. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 01 May 2026
Topic Last Updated: 19 May 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 May 2026

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