For women in their forties and fifties, perimenopause and menopause can cause mental health challenges that make those hot flashes seem like a day at the beach.
Menopause, which can result from the decrease in the production of estrogen and progesterone, occurs naturally with age. For most women, menopause can kick off in their 40s or 50s, but for some, oophorectomies (surgical removal of ovaries), radiation, or chemotherapy, can trigger menopause.
Premature menopause affects women under the age of 40; and in some cases, women in their twenties experience menopause.
Though the physical symptoms and risks of menopause, such as VMS (vasomotor symptoms, otherwise known as hot flashes and night sweats), are well known, the reality is that psychological menopausal symptoms are just as intrusive but way less understood.
The intensity of the psychological symptoms can depend on the cause of menopause. A natural menopause involves a gradual decrease in the production of estrogen and progesterone, whereas the sudden, sharp reduction in these hormones from an oophorectomy can result in intense symptoms.
This blog covers pre- and post-menopause mental health issues. (Technically, issues that are said to occur “during menopause” are postmenopausal, since menopause is just one day 12 months after the last period but the symptoms tend to span the whole mystical experience.)
While sometimes used interchangeably, premenopause and perimenopause are distinct terms in medical usage.
Premenopause is the time between menarche (i.e., the first menstrual period) and perimenopause.
Many mental health issues occurring during premenopause can occur with greater severity or frequency from perimenopause onwards. Major depression is one such issue.
So, if you have a history of mental health conditions or mental illness, some of these conditions could worsen during the menopausal transition.
The hormonal imbalance associated with menopause can even contribute to a relapse in mental health issues that had been well managed during premenopause.
For this reason, it is important to consider getting proper mental health care while undergoing perimenopause and postmenopause. These life stages can throw people off balance, increasing the risk of developing or intensifying mental health issues.
Mood changes are a common occurrence during perimenopause, which is the lead-up to menopause.
This pre-menopause phase can last years, during which irritability and low energy may come and go with no discernible pattern.
Tearfulness, difficulty concentrating, and even rage are possible risks.
One potential symptom is insomnia, which, as a consequence, could engender mental health risks associated with poor sleep.
Depression is one of the major risks during perimenopause.
Women also report higher levels of anxiety during perimenopause.
Plus, having to deal with the physical symptoms of perimenopause can compound the mental health issues. In fact, research has identified a link between VMS and major depressive disorder (MDD).
This can all dovetail with the demands that midlife brings with it, such as raising children, caring for aging parents, or managing a demanding career, leading to mental health issues from the accumulated stress.
Many of the symptoms associated with perimenopause also apply to post-menopause. High anxiety is something that can occur in postmenopause.
For instance, major depression is a risk because of the hormonal change that, among other effects, impacts the production of serotonin (the “happiness” neurochemical).
Something that has been observed in postmenopausal women is binge eating, which can lead to a host of related physical and mental health issues.
On the extreme end, menopause-associated psychosis (MAP) is sometimes seen. This may result from the decrease in estrogen levels, as estrogen can protect against psychosis-inducing symptoms, as some research suggests a link between MAP and estrogen levels.
Links between suicide risk and menopause, especially in early menopause (i.e., between 40 and 45 years old), have also been established.
Overall, the mental health risks of postmenopausal life can have a significant impact on wellbeing.
That being said, seeing a psychiatrist or other mental health professional can be the first step to making this stage of life bearable.
Middle age and beyond bring new demands. Managing your mental health is key to keep up with life’s challenges.
If you are seeking mental health care in California, Arizona, or Florida, then bonmente is here to help. We connect you with mental health professionals who can help treat menopause-related mental health issues.
At bonmente, we offer patients telepsychiatry solutions that can help you during the menopausal transition and beyond. We offer treatment options for depression, anxiety, irritability, and more. Our goal is to help patients manage mental health challenges.
Our team of psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and other licensed mental health professionals treat all manner of mental health conditions.
Whether you are premenopause, peri-, or postmenopausal, mental health support is important. We’re here to help you manage symptoms.
If you have reached menopause and are looking for a telepsychiatrist in California or Florida, we can help. Look no further than bonmente!
Need pre- or post-menopausal mental health treatment? Reach out to bonmente today!
