Menopause occurs when there is a natural decline in reproductive hormones during the middle stages (40 or 50 years) of a menstruator’s life. It is the end of a person’s menstrual cycle and they may experience various symptoms before and after they stop having their periods.
People with ovaries are born with eggs stored in the ovary. It also produces hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which further control menstruation and the release of eggs (known as ovulation). Menstruation stops when the ovaries stop releasing eggs each month, signaling the start of menopause.
Menopause usually occurs after the age of 40 and is a normal part of aging. Sometimes menopause can happen early due to surgery, hysterectomy, or chemotherapy. In these cases it is called premature menopause (when it occurs before the age of 40).
Common symptoms of menopause are vaginal dryness, changes in hormone levels, and hot flashes. A drop in estrogen levels during this phase can make a person feel like they are in an inevitable state of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) every day.
Emotional swings and mood swings are also a part of menopause, some of which include: depression, anxiety, lack of motivation, irritability, fatigue, stress and tension, as well as mood swings.
These changes can make the person feel irritable and helpless. Research shows that almost 20 percent of people who have reached menopause have depression during this time. Menstruating women are more likely to experience panic attacks and anxiety before, during, and after the menopausal transition.
Changes in lifestyle and physical and mental health during menopause can also trigger mood swings. For example, overactive thyroid glands can trigger anxiety and lead to poor sleep and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms make it difficult for menstruating women to rest properly.
What happens during menopause?
There are three stages of menopause:
1) Perimenopause – It begins many years before menopause, and the ovaries produce less and less estrogen. The phase lasts until menopause and ends when the ovaries stop releasing eggs. During the later stages of this phase, estrogen levels drop rapidly and a person may begin to develop menopausal symptoms.
2) Menopause – It is during this stage that menstruation stops completely. The ovaries stop releasing eggs and various bodily and hormonal changes begin to manifest.
3) Post menopause – The years after menopause are known as postmenopause. Symptoms begin to abate at this stage, but health risks related to estrogen loss can still be prevalent.
Mental health problems associated with the stages of menopause
Menopause causes many physical symptoms such as tiredness, insomnia, hot flashes, memory loss, and tension, all of which can interfere with daily activities.
Research shows that women are two to four times more likely develop mental health problems such as major depressive disorder or stress-related disorders during menopause than at any other time in their lives. Other conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are also aggravated during this time.
In addition to the physical and mental aspects of menopause, it predominantly affects the lives of menstruating women in various dimensions. It is common to feel helpless and overwhelmed by these stressors. Some common problems they encounter are difficulty maintaining romantic or interpersonal relationships, empty nest syndrome, difficulty making significant life changes such as a career change, concerns about aging people in the household, anxiety about redefining life goals and expectations, concern about the mental health of the partner or children, and the like
PMS is commonly experienced by all menstruators, but it is triggered even more during menopause. It is also called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is a severe type of PMS and affects more than 5 to 10 percent of menstruating women during their reproductive years.
PMDD can cause significant mood disturbances and can have a severe impact on personal and social functioning. People with PMDD are at increased risk of developing clinical depression or anxiety during or before each menstrual cycle. Although the periods stop during menopause, these symptoms still affect the person.
Also read: What is menopause?: understand the basics about the end of menstruation
Research shows links between depression and menopause. Women who had symptoms of PMS or PMDD before menopause are more likely to experience postpartum depression and mood swings. People with pre-existing mental health conditions, such as clinical depression, are also primarily affected, as their symptoms are triggered by hormonal changes.
Links between bipolar disorder and menopause are also common. Menstruating women with bipolar disorder are more likely to experience hormonal changes during menopause. Additionally, women with bipolar disorder also reported having more depressive episodes during menopause. These changes are related to a decrease in hormones such as estrogen.
Coping with life and physical changes can take a toll on a menstruating woman’s body and mind. However, mental health problems during menopause are treatable. It is vital to remember that there are several treatment options or therapy techniques to help control symptoms. The most important thing is to be informed about these changes and talk with colleagues and professionals so that help can be obtained.
Lastly, reduced estrogen can also trigger other psychotic conditions. Women with preexisting chronic schizophrenia often experience a decrease in the intensity of their illness, but also require more medication to control symptoms. Although schizophrenia begins in childhood or early adulthood, a second peak is seen in menstruating women during menopause.
In addition to the physical and mental aspects of menopause, it predominantly affects the lives of menstruating women in various dimensions. It is common to feel helpless and overwhelmed by these stressors. Some common problems they encounter are difficulty maintaining romantic or interpersonal relationships, empty nest syndrome, difficulty making significant life changes such as a career change, concerns about aging people in the household, anxiety about redefining life goals and expectations, concern about the mental health of the partner or children, etc.
Menopausal symptoms can also cause chronic pain. Pain is a biological complication that occurs when nerve impulses constantly alert the brain to damage to the body. However, this physical condition is strongly linked to social and psychological factors. These complex factors determine the mental energy of the menstruator and can also affect her social activities.
These symptoms trigger negative emotions and make it difficult for the individual to take care of their well-being. It is necessary to consult a medical professional who can address the problem and treat it from a medical and psychological point of view.
Your doctor may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and therapy. The first step would usually be to eliminate other physical reasons for the symptoms that may occur due to conditions such as thyroid.
Coping with life and physical changes can take a toll on a menstruating woman’s body and mind. However, mental health problems during menopause are treatable. It is vital to remember that there are several treatment options or therapy techniques to help control symptoms. The most important thing is to be informed about these changes and talk with colleagues and professionals so that help can be taken advantage of.
Also read: Mental health during menopause: collective ignorance and lack of support
