Menopause Mental Health

“Women often seek counselling at menopause and might want to work through traumas they have previously experienced. This time of life seems to allow things to…”.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 (United States) MentalHealth.gov’s definition is:

“Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices”.2

Good Mental Health

What is good mental health?

In What Is Mental Health? the (British) Mental Health Foundation’s (MHF) elaborate on:

“Being mentally healthy doesn’t just mean that you don’t have a mental health problem.

If you’re in good mental health, you can:

  • Make the most of your potential
  • Cope with life
  • Play a full part in your family, workplace, community and among friends”.3

In What Is Good Mental Health? the MHF also explain:

“Good mental health is characterised by a person’s ability to fulfil a number of key functions and activities, including:

  • The ability to learn
  • The ability to feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions
  • The ability to form and maintain good relationships with others
  • The ability to cope with and manage change and uncertainty”.4

Menopause

During menopause can our mental health change?

The MHF note:

“Your mental health doesn’t always stay the same. It can change as circumstances change and as you move through different stages of your life”.5

In Mental Health & Emotions: Depression, Anxiety & Menopause the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

Menopause Mental Health

“Emotional health around the menopause is also more likely to be influenced by previous experiences of prior traumatic events; for example, past abuse. Women often seek counselling at menopause and might want to work through traumas they have previously experienced. This time of life seems to allow things to come to the surface”.6

Menopause Attitude

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

In Make Your Menopause A Positive Experience the author elaborates on:

“The attitude with which you embark upon this transition can have a tremendous impact on your experience of it, as well as on your choice of behaviors. Many of the changes that come with menopause and aging aren’t avoidable, but how you experience menopause and the years that follow has much to do with your attitude. Far from being the end of life, you may find menopause to be a new beginning, one that can be lived richly, fully, and in good overall health. Knowing the spectrum of what’s a normal experience may help ease your concerns and help you to prepare for what’s to come”.7

Keeping Good Mental Health

How can we keep ourself in good mental health?

In How To Look After Your Mental Health the MHF elaborate on “10 practical ways to look after your mental health”:

  1. “Talk about your feelings…
  2. Keep active…
  3. Eat well…
  4. Drink sensibly…
  5. Keep in touch…
  6. Ask for help…
  7. Take a break…
  8. Do something you’re good at…
  9. Accept who you are…
  10. Care for others…”.8

In What Is Mental Health? Mental Health and Wellness the Mentalhealth.gov explain:

“Ways to maintain positive mental health include:

  • Getting professional help if you need it
  • Connecting with others
  • Staying positive
  • Getting physically active
  • Helping others
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Developing coping skills”.9

Sleep

Is there an association between sleep and menopause mental health?

According to the JH:

“Many women kept awake at night because of night sweats find they are exhausted, can’t think clearly and feel more negative because they have had poor quality sleep”.10

LaughterMenopause Mental Health

Is there an association between laughter and menopause mental health?

In Make Your Menopause A Positive Experience the author explains:

“Laughter brings us closer to people, moves us into more positive mind-sets, can stimulate our immune system, enhance our learning and memory, and help us cope better with the stressors in our lives. Laughter is a great menopause help”.11

Menopausal Hormone Therapy

May menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) be beneficial in improving mood?

One of the points of consensus in the Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section A: Benefit/Risk Profile of MHT – endorsed by seven menopause-related organizations – published online 20 June 2016 is:

  • “MHT may be beneficial in improving mood in early postmenopausal women with depressive and/or anxiety symptoms. MHT may also be beneficial for perimenopausal women with major depression but antidepressant therapy remains first-line treatment in this setting”.12

Health Care Provider

What if I am in no mood for laughter?

If you are in no mood for laughter, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

On page one in Menopause and Depression: Recognizing Depressive Symptoms and Depression the NAMS explain:

“When you are transitioning into menopause, you should notify your healthcare practitioner whether you have suffered from depression in the past or whether you were particularly sensitive to hormone changes and have experienced premenstrual syndrome or postpartum depression. Be alert and notice whether these mood changes are mild and do not greatly affect your quality of life or whether they are severe and debilitating and interfere with your daily activities”.13

In Mental Health & Emotions: Managing Psychological Symptoms – Other Therapies the JH elaborate on:

“First, see your doctor or health professional to discuss what therapy or therapies might be most suitable for you. Severe depression and anxiety can respond to treatment with medication such as antidepressants in combination with ‘talk’ therapy (counselling or psycho-therapy) from a registered psychologist or psychiatrist”.14

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics 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

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. 31 Tips To Boost Your Mental Health
  2. 5 Steps To Mental Wellbeing
  3. A To Z
  4. Alcohol and Mental Health
  5. Anxiety
  6. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  7. Caring for Your Mental Health
  8. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  9. Complementary & Alternative Medicine for Mental Health Conditions
  10. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  11. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  12. Consumer Health: What Is Mental Health?
  13. Coping With Stress
  14. Depression In Women: 5 Things You Should Know
  15. Diet and Mental Health
  16. Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners – Women’s Profiles
  17. Find Help: Finding Help Is the Key To Taking Charge and Moving Forward
  18. Finding A Mental Health Professional
  19. Finding the Right Mental Health Professional for You
  20. Fitness Tips for Menopause: Why Fitness Counts
  21. Getting Help [United Kingdom]
  22. Headstogether.org.uk [Heads Together, United Kingdom]
  23. Help for Mental Illnesses [United States]
  24. Home Remedies: Anxiety and Herbal Remedies
  25. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  26. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  27. How Right Now Menopause Mental Health
  28. How To Improve Mental Health
  29. How To Look After Your Mental Health
  30. How To Look After Your Mental Health Using Exercise
  31. How To Sleep Better
  32. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  33. Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Intersex (LGBTI), and Bodily, Gender and Sexuality Diverse People
  34. Let’s Talk About Menopause | Aware Webinar
  35. Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
  36. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  37. Living With Anxiety [+ Videos]
  38. Looking After Your Mental Health
  39. Low Mood, Sadness and Depression [+ Video: Low Mood and Depression]
  40. Mayo Mindfulness: Overcoming Negative Self-Talk
  41. Mayo Mindfulness: What Does It Really Mean? [+ Video]
  42. Menopausal Symptoms: Mood Disorders and the Menopausal Transition
  43. Menopause
  44. Menopause
  45. Menopause
  46. Menopause & Hormones: Questions To Ask Your Doctor
  47. Menopause & Sleep With Dr Sonia Davison
  48. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  49. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. My family tells me that I’ve become moody, and I admit that I sometimes feel blue or short-tempered. Menopause?
  50. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  51. Menopause and Depression
  52. Menopause and Mental Health
  53. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
  54. Menopause: See Your Doctor If
  55. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
  56. Mental & Emotional Health – Fact Sheet
  57. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
  58. Mental Health National Women’s Health Week
  59. Mental Health & Emotions: Depression, Anxiety & Menopause
  60. Mental Health: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  61. Mentalhealthatwork.org.uk [Mental Health At Work, United Kingdom]
  62. Mhanational.org [Mental Health America]
  63. Mind.org.uk
  64. Mindfulness
  65. Mood and the Menopause
  66. My Mental Health: Do I Need Help?
  67. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Anxiety At A Glance
  68. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Depression
  69. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms In Depth
  70. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Mental Health
  71. National Institute of Mental Health [United States]
  72. Perimenopause
  73. Perimenopause
  74. One Hour Per Week of Exercise Protects Against Depression Study Shows
  75. Self-Care Tips To Manage Mental Health and Wellness [+ Video]
  76. Support From A Health Professional
  77. Supporting Women Through Menopause – Fact Sheet
  78. Symptoms of Menopause: Menopause & Mood
  79. Taking Control of Your Mental Health: Tips for Talking With Your Health Care Provider
  80. The Chemical Question: Does Focusing on Hormones Undermine Mental Healthcare?
  81. The Many Faces of Anxiety
  82. The Menopause: Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
  83. The Menopause: Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause]
  84. The Menopause: Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [+ Video: The Menopause Happens Suddenly]
  85. Transformations The Mental Health Issues That Can Accompany Menopause Often Go Unaddressed
  86. Types of Talking Therapies: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  87. Understanding Menopause – Booklet
  88. Understanding Premature & Early Menopause – Booklet
  89. Video Series-2019: Mood Changes During Perimenopause
  90. Video Series-2019: What You Need to Know About Mood During the Menopause Transition
  91. Video Series-2020: What You Need to Know About Cognition and Mood Changes
  92. Video Series-2021: How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
  93. Video Series-2021: What Women Need to Know About Hormone Therapies
  94. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  95. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: The Menopause Blues
  96. What Are Mental Health Problems?
  97. Women and Mental Health
  98. Women’s Wellness: Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms
  99. World Mental Health Day 2021 October 10th: Mental Health In An Unequal World
  100. World Mental Health Day 2021 – Mental Health Care for All: Let’s Make It A Reality

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Mental Health & Emotions: Depression, Anxiety & Menopause. Last Updated: 28 June 2021 | Last Revised: 17 December 2018. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions/ Accessed: 18 January 2022
  2. What Is Mental Health? Last Updated: 28 May 2020. Mental Health.gov https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health Accessed: 18 January 2022
  3. What Is Mental Health? Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/about-mental-health/what-mental-health Accessed: 18 January 2022
  4. What Is Good Mental Health? Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/about-mental-health/what-good-mental-health Accessed: 18 January 2022
  5. What Is Mental Health? Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/about-mental-health/what-mental-health Accessed: 18 January 2022
  6. Mental Health & Emotions: Depression, Anxiety & Menopause. Last Updated: 28 June 2021 | Last Revised: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions/ Accessed: 18 January 2022
  7. Make Your Menopause A Positive Experience. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/make-your-menopause-a-positive-experience Accessed: 18 January 2022
  8. How To Look After Your Mental Health. Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-to-mental-health Accessed: 18 January 2022
  9. What Is Mental Health? Mental Health and Wellness. Last Updated: 28 May 2020. MentalHealth.gov https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health Accessed: 18 January 2022
  10. Mental Health & Emotions: Depression, Anxiety & Menopause. Last Updated: 28 June 2021 | Last Revised: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions/ Accessed: 18 January 2022
  11. Make Your Menopause A Positive Experience: Laugh. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/make-your-menopause-a-positive-experience Accessed: 18 January 2022
  12. De Villiers, T. J., Hall, J. E., Pinkerton, J. V., Pérez, S. C., Rees, M., Yang, C. and Pierroz, D. D. Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section A: Benefit/Risk Profile of MHT. Climacteric, 2016;19:4:314 https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/global-consensus-hrt-2016-06.pdf Accessed: 18 January 2022
  13. Depression and Menopause: Recognizing Depressive Symptoms and Depression. 2018:1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/menonote-menopause-and-depression.pdf Accessed: 18 January 2022
  14. Mental Health & Emotions: Managing Psychological Symptoms – Other Therapies. Last Updated: 28 June 2021 | Last Revised: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions/ Accessed: 18 January 2022

Topic Last Updated: 18 January 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 18 January 2022
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