“Sometimes it is hard to know if the hormonal changes of menopause affect your life, or if your life influences how you experience menopause”.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:
- 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:
“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:
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.- Anxiety
- Anxiety, Fear and Panic [+ Video: Anxiety Control Training]
- Anxiety: What You Need To Know
- Bioidentical Custom Compounded Hormone Therapy
- Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
- Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
- Decidir Sobre La Hormonoterapia
- Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners – Women’s Profiles
- Home Remedies: A Calmer, More Positive You Through the Power of Patience
- Home Remedies: Anxiety and Herbal Remedies
- Hot Flashes: Manage Without Medication?
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do?
- How To Be Happier
- How To Be Happy: Tips for Cultivating Contentment
- Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
- ‘I Wouldn’t Have Known That My Mum Had Gone Through Menopause’. Why Are We So Unprepared for One of Life’s Inevitable Transitions? [+ Video: Menopause Stories]
- Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
- Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
- Living With Anxiety [+ Videos]
- Maintaining Your Weight and Health During and After Menopause
- Make Your Menopause A Positive Experience
- Managing Menopause: Don’t Let Symptoms of Menopause Reduce Your Quality of Life
- Mayo Clinic Minute: How Optimism Improves Your Health [+ Video]
- Mayo Mindfulness: Change Your Mind To Grow
- Mayo Mindfulness: What Does It Really Mean? [+ Video]
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause & Herbs
- Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Menopause FAQs: Expert Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
- 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?
- Menopause Hormone Therapy: Who Shouldn’t Take It?
- Menopause Matters
- Menopause Symptoms and Relief
- Menopause Treatment
Menopause Weight Gain: Stop the Middle Age Spread
- Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
- Menopause and Depression
- Menopause and Your Health
- Menopause – How Will It Affect My Health? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT)? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause: Advice To Other Women About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Advice To Partners About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Changes In the Body and Keeping Healthy [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Consulting the Doctor About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment
- Menopause: Emotions and the Menopause: Mood Swings, Anxiety and Depression [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Getting Older [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Hot Flushes and Sweats [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Libido, Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Problems and the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Loss of Fertility [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Mental Health & Emotions – Depression, Anxiety & Menopause
- Menopause: Overview [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Relationships, Sex and Contraception and the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
- Menopause: What Can You Do To Help With Menopause?
- Mental & Emotional Health – Fact Sheet
- Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
- Mental Health & Emotions: Managing Psychological Symptoms
- Mental Health & Emotions: Reactions To Menopause
- Midlife Weight Gain—Sound Familiar? You’re Not Alone
- Mindfulness
- Mood Changes and Depression
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
- National Women’s Health Week May 10–16, 2020 [United States]
- Preventing Weight Gain In Women At Midlife
- Resilience Training
- Risks and Benefits of MHT/HRT
- Self-Care and Kindness: Finding A Solution To the Trigger of Our Anxiety
- Stop Negative Self-Talk To Reduce Stress
- Supporting Women Through Menopause
- Testosterone Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Thankfulness: How Gratitude Can Help Your Health
- Types of Talking Therapies: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Understanding Menopause – Booklet
- Understanding Premature & Early Menopause – Booklet
- Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Urogenital Problems
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness
- Video Series-2020 – How To Talk To Your Primary Care Clinician About Your Overall Health
- Video Series-2020 – What You Need To Know About Cognition and Mood Changes
- Video Series-2021 – What Women Need To Know About Hormone Therapies
- What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and Is It Safe?
- Why Experts Say A Good Mood Can Lead To Good Health
- Women’s Wellness: Menopause Misconceptions [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Women’s Wellness: Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms
- Women’s Wellness: Treating Hot Flashes and Night Sweats Without Hormones [+ Video]
- World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2018 – Patient Information Leaflet: Sexual Wellbeing After Menopause [Multiply Languages]
- World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2019 – Patient Information Leaflet: Testosterone for Women At Midlife [Multiply Languages]
- World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2020 – Patient Information Leaflet: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency [Multiply Languages]
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Mental Health & Emotions: Reactions To Menopause. Last Updated: 22 October 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions Accessed: Accessed: 27 February 2021
- Mental Health & Emotions: Reactions To Menopause. Last Updated: 22 October 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions Accessed: Accessed: 27 February 2021
- Mental Health & Emotions: Reactions To Menopause. Last Updated: 22 October 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions Accessed: 27 February 2021
- Mental Health & Emotions: Reactions To Menopause. Last Updated: 22 October 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions Accessed: 27 February 2021
- 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: 27 February 2021
- 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: 27 February 2021