Menopause Psychological Symptoms

“It’s important to realise that the mental symptoms
of menopause are as real as the physical ones, and
you should not wait to seek help if you are struggling”.¹

Umbrella
What may the Menopause Psychological Symptoms Umbrella include?

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

Menopausal/Menopause Emotional/Mental Health/Psychological Changes/Symptoms
Menopause-Related Emotional/Mental Health/Psychological Changes/Symptoms
Perimenopausal/Perimenopause Emotional/Mental Health/Psychological Changes/Symptoms

Psychological Symptoms

What are some menopause psychological symptoms?

In Menopause and Mental Health: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause, content updated February 2023, the Australasian Menopause Society elaborate on:

“Mental health symptoms related to menopause can include feeling:

Irritable
Sad
Anxious
Hopeless
Less able to concentrate or focus
Tired
Unmotivated”.²

In Symptoms of Menopause: Physical and Emotional Symptoms the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

Feeling irritable or frustrated
Feeling anxious
Difficulty concentrating
Forgetfulness
Lowered mood
Mood swings
Feeling you are not able to cope as well as you used to”.³

In Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing the (Scottish) NHS Inform explain:

“Changes in your hormones during menopause can impact your mental health as well as your physical health. You may experience feelings of anxiety, stress or even depression. Menopausal symptoms may include:

Anger and irritability
Anxiety
Forgetfulness
Loss of self-esteem
Loss of confidence
Low mood and feelings of sadness or depression
Poor concentration – often described as ‘brain fog’ and/or lost words”.⁴

History of Depression

Is there an association between a history of depression and menopause?

On page 777 in The 2022 Hormone Therapy Statement of The North American Menopause Society: Depression, published July 2022 and “endorsed by more than 20 well-respected international organizations”, the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“Depressive symptoms worsen as women transition through menopause, although evidence is mixed as to whether depressive disorders are more common during the menopause transition relative to premenopause. Most women who present with depressive disorders during the menopause transition are women with a history of depression before the menopause transition, and women with a history of depression are at high risk for recurrence during the menopause transition”.⁵

Look for A Pattern

May Look for A Pattern help clarify menopause psychological symptoms?

On page two in Mental & Emotional Health: What Can You Do To Help Your Mental & Emotional Health the JH explain:

“Keep a diary to help clarify:
- Your symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress
- The things that trigger feelings of distress
- What creates positive or negative thoughts for you”.⁶

Self-Management

What are some self-management techniques for menopause psychological symptoms?

On page two in Mental & Emotional Health: What Can You Do To Help Your Mental & Emotional Health the JH elaborate on what you can do to manage your mental and emotional health.

Antidepressants

Are antidepressants used to treat mental-health related symptoms during the menopause?

In Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing the NHS Inform elaborate on:

“Some women have been prescribed anti-depressants to help with the mental health-related symptoms during the menopause, but unless you have been diagnosed with depression there are other treatment options that are more appropriate”.⁷

Menopausal Hormone Therapy

Is menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) used to treat menopause psychological symptoms?

In Mood and the Menopause: Management – Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT), content updated 09 February 2023, the Australasian Menopause Society explain:

“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. Evidence from RCTs suggests oestrogen is as effective as antidepressants in perimenopausal women but is ineffective in post-menopausal women suggesting a window of opportunity for its use in the perimenopause”.⁸

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with menopause psychological symptoms?

If you would like help with menopause psychological symptoms it, may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this

In Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing the NHS Inform also encourage us to seek help:

“It’s important to realise that the mental symptoms of menopause are as real as the physical ones, and you should not wait to seek help if you are struggling. Speak to your local GP practice and they can provide you with the right support and help”.⁹

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Menopause Psychological Symptoms?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Psychological Symptoms?

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.