Feelings of increased anxiety, depression, anger, rage, and panic are not uncommon for women to experience during the peri to post-menopausal transition. Estrogen and progesterone play a role in our brain chemistry, so as these hormones change, there can be downstream effects to the regulation of the brain chemicals which regulate mood and emotions.
While these hormonal changes can absolutely impact mental health status it is important to recognize that they are never the only component playing a role. The hormone changes alone that occur in peri and post-menopause do not by themselves cause anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. Rather it is the hormonal shifts which have a tendency to exacerbate underlying symptoms such as anxiety and depression that have existed previously, even if not as intense.
The “convenient” timing of the menopause transition should also not be ignored. This often aligns with a time of life when women have aging parents, teenage children or an empty nest, greater work demands, relationship challenges, or also happen to be living through a Pandemic, just to name a few of the convoluting factors that also impact mental health. To say that the relationship between menopause and mental health is complicated, is an understatement. Given this complexity getting the support needed often takes a collaborative approach involving multiple healthcare providers.
The extremes at which these feelings are experienced exist on a continuum and can vary person to person. Regardless of where someone falls on this continuum, these feelings are real, uncomfortable, and for most women overwhelming, disconcerting, and deserving of getting support.
When to see a mental health provider
In cases of severe anxiety, depression, personality disorders, trauma, and derealization, it is important that you are working with a credentialed mental health provider who can provide the specific support you need. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may need support from a mental health professional:
- Sleeplessness for several days that is not a normal experience for you
- Excessive worries or fears that are interfering with your daily life that are not improved by lifestyle changes
- Having trouble functioning in your daily life
- Lack of the desire to participate in activities you once enjoyed
- Difficulty getting out of bed on a regular basis
Finding a therapist that is right for you, and that you can bond with, can have a major impact on your progress. Need help finding a mental health provider?
- Check with your insurance to get a list of in-network providers
- Use resources such as Psychology Today or American Psychological Association as a starting point to find local practitioners
- Ask for recommendations from trusted family and friends
- Consider telehealth options, but do your research first. These practitioners are sometimes more general mental health providers rather than specialists in a specific area of mental health.
Gennev's Integrated Care Team can support your emotional wellness in menopause
Many women feel increased moodiness, anxiety, and even symptoms of depression throughout the menopause transition. However, it's important to not just brush off lingering symptoms to menopause.
Together with LifeStance Health, one of the nation's largest providers of virtual and in-person outpatient mental healthcare, Gennev offers access to menopause-trained OB/GYNs, psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed therapists, and dietitians who provide guidance, prescription support, and lifestyle therapies for your mind and body through this important stage of life.
Learn more about how Gennev patients receive integrated care that addresses both the physical and mental health symptoms associated with menopause.
If your concerns feel too heavy to handle, there is no shame in seeking professional help: Call, text, or chat 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and you will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. You can also dial 800-273-8255 or chat via the web at 988lifeline.org/chat/.
The information on the Gennev site is never meant to replace the care of a qualified medical professional. Hormonal shifts throughout menopause can prompt a lot of changes in your body, and simply assuming something is “just menopause” can leave you vulnerable to other possible causes. Always consult with your physician or schedule an appointment with one of Gennev's telemedicine doctors before beginning any new treatment or therapy.
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