“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:

“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

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  1. Anxiety
  2. Anxiety: What You Need To Know
  3. Being Positive About Sexual Wellbeing After Menopause
  4. Bioidentical Custom Compounded Hormone Therapy
  5. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  6. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  7. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms Menopause Reactions
  8. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  9. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  10. Deciding About Hormone Therapy
  11. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  12. Decidir Sobre La Hormonoterapia
  13. Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners – Women’s Profiles
  14. Fostering A Positive Self-Image
  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 Happy: Tips for Cultivating Contentment
  21. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  22. Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
  23. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  24. Maintaining Your Weight and Health During and After Menopause
  25. Make Your Menopause A Positive Experience
  26. Managing Menopause: Don’t Let Symptoms of Menopause Reduce Your Quality of Life
  27. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Optimism Improves Your Health [+ Video]
  28. Mayo Mindfulness: Change Your Mind To Grow
  29. Mayo Mindfulness: What Does It Really Mean? [+ Video]
  30. Menopause
  31. Menopause
  32. Menopause & Herbs
  33. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  34. Menopause FAQs: Expert Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
  35. 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?
  36. Menopause Hormone Therapy: Who Shouldn’t Take It?
  37. Menopause Matters
  38. Menopause Symptoms and Relief
  39. Menopause Treatment
  40. Menopause Weight Gain: Stop the Middle Age Spread
  41. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  42. Menopause and Depression
  43. Menopause and Sexuality
  44. Menopause and Women’s Health In Later Life
  45. Menopause and Your Health
  46. Menopause – How Will It Affect My Health? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  47. Menopause – What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  48. Menopause – What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT)? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  49. Menopause – Will It Affect my Sex Life? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  50. Menopause: Advice To Other Women About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  51. Menopause: Advice To Partners About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  52. Menopause: Changes In the Body and Keeping Healthy [Video Interview Stories]
  53. Menopause: Consulting the Doctor About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  54. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  55. Menopause: Emotions and the Menopause: Mood Swings, Anxiety and Depression [Video Interview Stories]
  56. Menopause: Getting Older [Video Interview Stories]
  57. Menopause: Hot Flushes and Sweats [Video Interview Stories]
  58. Menopause: Libido, Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Problems and the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  59. Menopause: Loss of Fertility [Video Interview Stories]
  60. Menopause: Mental Health & Emotions – Depression, Anxiety & Menopause
  61. Menopause: Overview [Video Interview Stories]
  62. Menopause: Relationships, Sex and Contraception and the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  63. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
  64. Menopause: What Can You Do To Help With Menopause?
  65. Mental & Emotional Health: What Can You Do To Help Your Mental & Emotional Health?
  66. Mental Health & Emotions: Managing Psychological Symptoms
  67. Mental Health & Emotions: Reactions To Menopause
  68. Midlife Weight Gain—Sound Familiar? You’re Not Alone
  69. Mindfulness
  70. Mood Changes and Depression
  71. Moodzone: How To Be Happier
  72. Moodzone: Why Do I Feel Anxious and Panicky? Anxiety [Video]
  73. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  74. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  75. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  76. National Women’s Health Week May 10–16, 2020 [United States] National Women’s Health Week
  77. Preventing Weight Gain In Women At Midlife
  78. Resilience Training
  79. Risks and Benefits of MHT/HRT
  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. The Menopause Years: FAQs
  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 – Bone Health What You Need To Know
  92. Video Series-2020 – What Women Need To Know About Heart Disease
  93. Video Series-2020 – What You Need To Know About Cognition and Mood Changes
  94. What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and Is It Safe?
  95. Women: Work, Home, Multiply Roles, & Stress
  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 Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  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. 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: 09 May 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: 09 May 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: 09 May 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: 09 May 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: 09 May 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: 09 May 2020
Topic Last Updated: 09 May 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 09 May 2020
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