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:

Menopause Psychological Symptoms“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 – Psychological and Emotional Symptoms the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

“Psychological and emotional symptoms may include:

  • Feeling irritable or frustrated
  • Feeling anxious
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Brain fog
  • Forgetfulness
  • Lowered mood
  • Mood swings
  • Feeling you can’t 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

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”.6

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”.7

What is RCTs?

RCTs can be an abbreviation for Randomized Controlled Trials.

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”.8

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 A-Z 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.

New or Updated

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  5. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
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  7. CAMS Menopause Hour With the German and Swiss Menopause Society [Council Of Affiliated Menopause Societies] – Perimenopause: A Clinical Challenge
  8. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  9. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
  10. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Menopause [03 December 2024]
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  16. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
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  23. Is Hormone Therapy A Key Strategy In Treating Menopausal Depression? [Video]
  24. Jayashri Kulkarni: Our Hormones and Our Minds [Podcast]
  25. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  26. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Myths] [Other Languages and Formats]
  27. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!] [Other Languages and Formats]
  28. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause] [Other Languages and Formats]
  29. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  30. Looking After Yourself: Emotional Wellbeing
  31. Managing Anxiety
  32. Managing Menopause Symptoms [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  33. Managing Your Symptoms: Managing Mood and Emotional Health
  34. Mastering Midlife Mood Changes With Marlene Freeman, MD
  35. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
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  40. Menopause Depression: Under Recognised and Poorly Treated  [18 May 2024]
  41. Menopause Depression: Under Recognized and Poorly Treated [13 June 2024]
  42. Menopause Transition Does Not Increase Risk for Depressive Symptoms for All Women
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    Menopause Psychological Symptoms
  45. Menopause Patient Information: 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  46. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  47. Menopause Transition Does Not Increase Risk for Depressive Symptoms for All Women
  48. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  49. Menopause Psychological SymptomsMenopause What Are the Symptoms?
  50. Menopause and Mental Health
  51. Menopause and Mental Health
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  55. Menopause, Perimenopause, Hormone Therapy and Other Treatments With Madelyn Butler, MD [Podcast]
  56. Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
  57. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024]
    Menopause Psychological Symptoms
  58. Menopause: Things You Can Do
  59. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  60. MentalHealth.gov [Department of Health and Human Services, United States]
  61. Mentalhealth.org.uk [Mental Health Foundation, United States]
  62. Mood and the Menopause
  63. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  64. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  65. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
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  67. National Institute of Mental Health [United States]
  68. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
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  77. Promoting Good Mental Health Over the Menopause Transition
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  83. The Lancet: Series From the Lancet Journal – Menopause 2024
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  91. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  92. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  93. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing. Last Updated: 29 November 2022. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/menopause-and-your-mental-wellbeing/ Accessed: 12 January 2025
  2. Menopause and Mental Health: Mental Health Symptoms Related To Menopause. Content Updated February 2023. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health Accessed: 12 January 2025
  3. Symptoms of Menopause: Physical and Emotional Symptoms – Psychological and Emotional Symptoms. Last Updated: 02 December 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms/ Accessed: 12 January 2025
  4. Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing. Last Updated: 29 November 2022. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/menopause-and-your-mental-wellbeing/ Accessed: 12 January 2025
  5. The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society: Depression. July 2022:77. The North American Menopause Society https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/Abstract/2022/07000/The_2022_hormone_therapy_position_statement_of_The.4.aspx Accessed: 12 January 2025
  6. Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing. Last Updated: 29 November 2022. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/menopause-and-your-mental-wellbeing/ Accessed: 12 January 2025
  7. Mood and the Menopause: Management – Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT). Content Updated 09 February 2023. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/mood-and-the-menopause Accessed: 12 January 2025
  8. Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing. Last Updated: 29 November 2022. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/menopause-and-your-mental-wellbeing/ Accessed: 12 January 2025
Topic Last Updated: 12 January 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 January 2025

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