“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”.1

Umbrella
Can women react differently to menopause?

Yes. The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

“Some women perceive menopause and midlife as stressful experiences. You might have a sense the person you once knew yourself to be before menopause has changed. You might not be as sure of what to expect from your body or your emotions. What seemed like a body you could rely on and trust is now breaking out in a sweat at times you can’t control, and you don’t know when to expect more changes”.2

Factors

What factors can influence how women react to menopause?

In Mental Health & Emotions: Reactions To Menopause the JH elaborate on:

“How you react to menopause will depend on many things including:

  • The type of menopause you have – whether it is expected and on time, early, as a result of surgery, or chemotherapy, or premature (before 40 years of age)
  • Your age
  • Your stage of life and whether you have done the things you wanted to, such as have children or all the children you wanted to have
  • Your mental health – whether you have been depressed or anxious in the past
  • Whether you have achieved the things you wanted to achieve – do you have an identity and purpose you are happy with?
  • How you view your body and feel about the changes that are happening to you
  • Whether you are as healthy as you can be and are taking care of yourself”.3

The JH also note:

“Sometimes it is hard to know if the hormonal changes of menopause affect your life, or if your life influences how you experience menopause”.4

Attitude

Is there an association between attitude and menopause symptoms?

According to the author of Make Your Menopause A Positive Experience:

“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. Studies bear this out: negative beliefs held prior to menopause can be predictive of a more difficult time. For instance, the more catastrophic your thoughts about hot flashes, the more intense they will be”.5

‘Me Time’

Is ‘me time’ important?

In What Is Menopause? Feeling Positive About the Menopause the Australasian Menopause Society explain:

Menopause Reactions“Women may experience physical and emotional changes during menopause but that doesn’t mean life has taken a turn for the worse! Many women are prompted at this time to ‘take stock’ of their lives and set new goals. The menopause occurs at a time when many women may be juggling roles as mothers of teenagers, as carers of elderly parents, and as members of the workforce. Experts suggest that creating some ‘me time’ is important to maintain life balance. Menopause can be seen as a new beginning: it’s a good time to assess lifestyle, health and to make a commitment to strive for continuing ‘wellness’ in the mature years”.6

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with my reaction to menopause?

If you would like help with your reaction to menopause, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Menopause Reactions?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Reactions?

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. Anxiety
  2. Anxiety, Fear and Panic [+ Video: Anxiety Control Training]
  3. Anxiety: What You Need To Know
  4. Being Positive About Sexual Wellbeing After Menopause
  5. Bioidentical Custom Compounded Hormone Therapy
  6. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  7. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  8. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  9. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  10. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  11. Deciding About Hormone Therapy
  12. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  13. Decidir Sobre La Hormonoterapia
  14. Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners – Women’s Profiles
  15. Home Remedies: A Calmer, More Positive You Through the Power of Patience
  16. Home Remedies: Anxiety and Herbal Remedies
  17. Hot Flashes: Manage Without Medication?
  18. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do?
  19. Hot Stuff: What’s New About Hot Flashes?
  20. How To Be Happier
  21. How To Be Happy: Tips for Cultivating Contentment
  22. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  23. Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
  24. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  25. Maintaining Your Weight and Health During and After Menopause
  26. Make Your Menopause A Positive Experience
  27. Managing Menopause: Don’t Let Symptoms of Menopause Reduce Your Quality of Life
  28. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Optimism Improves Your Health [+ Video]
  29. Mayo Mindfulness: Change Your Mind To Grow
  30. Mayo Mindfulness: What Does It Really Mean? [+ Video]
  31. Menopause
  32. Menopause
  33. Menopause & Herbs
  34. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  35. Menopause FAQs: Expert Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
  36. 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?
  37. Menopause Hormone Therapy: Who Shouldn’t Take It?
  38. Menopause Matters
  39. Menopause Symptoms and Relief
  40. Menopause Treatment
  41. Menopause Weight Gain: Stop the Middle Age Spread Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  42. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  43. Menopause and Depression
  44. Menopause and Sexuality
  45. Menopause and Women’s Health In Later Life
  46. Menopause and Your Health
  47. Menopause – How Will It Affect My Health? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  48. Menopause – What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  49. Menopause – What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT)? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  50. Menopause – Will It Affect my Sex Life? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  51. Menopause: Advice To Other Women About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  52. Menopause: Advice To Partners About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  53. Menopause: Changes In the Body and Keeping Healthy [Video Interview Stories]
  54. Menopause: Consulting the Doctor About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  55. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  56. Menopause: Emotions and the Menopause: Mood Swings, Anxiety and Depression [Video Interview Stories]
  57. Menopause: Getting Older [Video Interview Stories]
  58. Menopause: Hot Flushes and Sweats [Video Interview Stories]
  59. Menopause: Libido, Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Problems and the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  60. Menopause: Loss of Fertility [Video Interview Stories]
  61. Menopause: Mental Health & Emotions – Depression, Anxiety & Menopause
  62. Menopause: Overview [Video Interview Stories]
  63. Menopause: Relationships, Sex and Contraception and the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  64. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
  65. Menopause: What Can You Do To Help With Menopause?
  66. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
  67. Mental Health & Emotions: Managing Psychological Symptoms
  68. Mental Health & Emotions: Reactions To Menopause
  69. Midlife Weight Gain—Sound Familiar? You’re Not Alone
  70. Mindfulness
  71. Mood Changes and Depression
  72. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  73. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  74. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  75. National Women’s Health Week May 10–16, 2020 [United States]
  76. Preventing Weight Gain In Women At Midlife
  77. Resilience Training
  78. Risks and Benefits of MHT/HRT
  79. Self-Care and Kindness: Finding A Solution To the Trigger of Our Anxiety
  80. Supporting Women Through Menopause
  81. Talking With Your Doctor: Tips on Discussing Sensitive Topics With Your Doctor
  82. Testosterone Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  83. Types of Talking Therapies: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  84. Understanding Menopause [Booklet]
  85. Understanding Premature & Early Menopause [Booklet]
  86. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  87. Urogenital Problems
  88. Vaginal Dryness
  89. Vaginal Dryness
  90. Video Series-2019 – Weight Gain At Midlife
  91. Video Series-2020 – How To Talk To Your Primary Care Clinician About Your Overall Health
  92. Video Series-2020 – What You Need To Know About Cognition and Mood Changes
  93. What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and Is It Safe?
  94. Women: Work, Home, Multiply Roles, & Stress
  95. Women’s Health Week 7-11 September 2020 Women’s Health Week
  96. Women’s Wellness: Menopause Misconceptions [+ Video]
  97. Women’s Wellness: Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms
  98. Women’s Wellness: Treating Hot Flashes and Night Sweats Without Hormones [+ Video]
  99. World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2018 – Patient Information Leaflet: Sexual Wellbeing After Menopause [Multiply Languages]
  100. World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2019 – Patient Information Leaflet: Testosterone for Women At Midlife [Multiply Languages]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Kagan, L. Make Your Menopause A Positive Experience. https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/make-your-menopause-a-positive-experience Accessed: 28 June 2020
  2. Mental Health & Emotions: Reactions To Menopause. Last Updated:  14 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions Accessed: 28 June 2020
  3. Mental Health & Emotions: Reactions To Menopause. Last Updated: 14 January 2020 |  Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions Accessed: 28 June 2020
  4. Mental Health & Emotions: Reactions To Menopause. Last Updated: 14 January 2020 |  Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions Accessed: 28 June 2020
  5. Kagan, L. Make Your Menopause A Positive Experience. https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/make-your-menopause-a-positive-experience Accessed: 28 June 2020
  6. What Is Menopause? Feeling Positive About the Menopause. Content Updated February 2016. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/185-what-is-menopause Accessed: 28 June 2020
Topic Last Updated: 28 June 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 28 June 2020
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