Menopause Mood Changes

“You may notice that menopause causes your mood
to change. This is due to changing hormone levels.
You might experience…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Menopause Mood Changes Umbrella include?

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

  • Menopause Mood Changes
  • Menopause Moodiness
  • Menopause Moods

Mood Changes

Is there an association between menopause and mood changes?

In Symptoms of Menopause: Mood and Emotional Health the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) note:

Menopause Mood Changes“You may notice that menopause causes your mood to change. This is due to changing hormone levels. You might experience:

  • Irritability
  • Increased anger
  • Low mood
  • Depression and anxiety”.2

Perimenopause

Is there an association between perimenopause and anxiety?

In Menopause and Mental Health the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) note:

“While not a problem for everyone transitioning through menopause, the risk of mood changes and symptoms of depression and anxiety are higher during perimenopause, even in women without a history of major depression”.3

Depression

Does menopause cause depression?

According to the AMS:

“Depression is not more common at menopause than at other stages of life, but a past history of depression, particularly post-natal depression, and stress during the peri-menopause may make a woman more likely to succumb to mood problems”.4

In Symptoms of Menopause: Mood and Emotional Health the JH note:

“Research suggests that women are more likely to feel depressed during the menopause transition.

Women who have a history of depression or premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may be more likely to develop depression during this time”.5

On page one and two in Emotional Wellness In Menopause: What About Depression?, published date June 2023, the (British) Women’s Health Concern (WHC) elaborate on:

“Mood changes that can accompany menopause are distressing and need to be taken seriously. However, they are different from clinical depression where mood is very low and persistent. Menopause does increase a woman’s risk of developing depression, and if emotional and cognitive symptoms of menopause are ignored, they can develop into more serious depression. Don’t ignore how you feel and if you, or someone close to you, are suffering from depression please do speak to a healthcare professional. There is no shame seeking help”.6

Risk Factors

What may be some risk factors for depressive symptoms/disorders?

In Mood and the Menopause the AMS explain:

“Risk factors for depressive symptoms/disorders are multiple and include VMS, previous mood disorders including prior MDD, reproductive related mood disturbance (severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or postpartum depression), other health factors, psychological and socioeconomic factors, and hormonal changes such as variability in FSH and oestradiol”.7

What is VMS?

VMS can be an abbreviation for Vasomotor Symptoms.

What is MDD?

MDD can be an abbreviation for Major Depressive Disorder.

What is FSH?

FSH can be an abbreviation for Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH).

Self Care

How can we look after our selves?

In Caring for Your Mental Health: About Self-Care the (United States) National Institute of Mental Health elaborate on:

“Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. This can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.

Here are some self-care tips:

  • Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time
  • Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated…
  • Make sleep a priority…
  • Try a relaxing activity…
  • Set goals and priorities…
  • Practice gratitude…
  • Focus on positivity…
  • Stay connected…”.8

In Looking After Yourself: Emotional Wellbeing the JH explain:

“There are many practical things you can do to look after your emotional wellbeing.

For example:

  • Talk to someone you trust about your feelings (e.g. your friend, family member, doctor or psychologist)
  • Keep a diary of your symptoms
  • Take time for yourself and do things you love doing
  • Get quality rest when you can
  • Do regular physical exercise, especially in a group or with friends
  • Practise relaxation techniques
  • Pay attention to your inner voice and practise using positive affirmations”.9

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 or local community health center may know of your Country’s recommended mental health online resources, programs, Apps and e-therapies, similar to the (Australian) Government’s Head To Health.

Treatments

What treatments are available?

On page one in Emotional Wellness In Menopause: What Treatments Are Available? the WHC elaborate on:

“There is no one size fits all for women when it comes to managing physical or psychological symptoms of menopause, but a variety of treatments are available.

  • Anti-depressants can help with emotional and cognitive symptoms of the menopause. However, unless you have been diagnosed with depression, there are other treatments which may be more helpful and appropriate
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can help with many cognitive and emotional symptoms of menopause. HRT can also help improve quality of sleep. It’s useful to keep a record of symptoms to discuss with your HRT prescriber as this will help identify the best HRT regime for you
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other talking therapies can be hugely beneficial in dealing with some of the emotional symptoms of menopause. Even women who have never used therapies before and them helpful to navigate their menopause journey
  • Mindfulness and meditation are popular techniques to help relax and clear the mind – a very useful addition to managing some of the emotional and cognitive symptoms of menopause. Alongside restorative exercise such as yoga and Pilates, both body and mind can recover and heal”.10

Menopausal Hormone Therapy

Can menopausal hormone therapy help?

In Mood and the Menopause the AMS elaborate on:

“Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) may help women who have symptoms of low mood related to perimenopause or menopause. However, MHT is not currently recommended as a first line treatment for major depression. MHT may be of particular benefit for mood and sleep quality in women experiencing VMS and can be considered in combination with antidepressants”.11

Health Care Provider

What if I need help with my menopause mood?

In Looking After Yourself: Emotional Wellbeing – Talk To Your Doctor the JH encourage us to seek health:

“If you are experiencing strong emotions, anxiety or depression, see your doctor”.12

Health Topics A-Z

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

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Mood Changes?

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.

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Symptoms of Menopause: Mood and Emotional Health. Last Updated: 21 April 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms Accessed: 11 August 2024
  2. Symptoms of Menopause: Mood and Emotional Health. Last Updated: 21 April 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms Accessed: 11 August 2024
  3. Menopause and Mental Health. Content Updated: February 2023. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 11 August 2024
  4. What Is Menopause? Psychological Symptoms of Menopause. Content Created: May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/185-what-is-menopause Accessed: 11 August 2024
  5. Symptoms of Menopause: Mood and Emotional Health. Last Updated: 21 April 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms Accessed: 11 August 2024
  6. Emotional Wellness In Menopause: What About Depression? Published Dated: June 2023:1-2. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/menopause-wellness-hub/ Accessed: 11 August 2024
  7. Mood and the Menopause. Content Updated: 09 February 2023. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/mood-and-the-menopause Accessed: 11 August 2024
  8. Caring for Your Mental Health: About Self-Care. Last Reviewed: February 2024. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health Accessed: 11 August 2024
  9. Looking After Yourself: Emotional Wellbeing. Last Updated: 26 July 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 11 August 2024
  10. Emotional Wellness In Menopause: What Treatments Are Available? Published Dated: June 2023:1. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/menopause-wellness-hub/ Accessed: 11 August 2024
  11. Mood and the Menopause: Management. Content Updated: 09 February 2023. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/mood-and-the-menopause Accessed: 11 August 2024
  12. Looking After Yourself: Emotional Wellbeing – Talk To Your Doctor. Last Updated: 26 July 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself Accessed: 11 August 2024
Topic Last Updated: 15 August 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 11 August 2024

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