A life-altering phase: Menopause is a significant biological stage of a woman’s life. It brings a lot of physical changes, such as hot flashes, insomnia, restlessness at night, vaginal dryness, irregular periods or periods stopping. There is also a huge impact on mental health, which is often overlooked. Hormone levels fluctuate, causing emotions to swing from anxiety to sadness and more. Many of us are not aware that perimenopause, which is the beginning of the menopause journey, can trigger mood and anxiety symptoms for many—even those who have never had mental health challenges. Navigating this process can be complex and requires understanding, support and self-care.
Emotions get impacted: Menopause is a roller-coaster. Serotonin, a brain chemical that helps us feel happy, drops as does estrogen, resulting in increased sadness and anxiety. Progesterone, the calming hormone, begins to decline in perimenopause. Additionally, night sweats and hormonal fluctuations disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or non-restorative sleep. The resulting fatigue and exhaustion can exacerbate stress and contribute to depression and anxiety. It can also impact your cognitive functioning. ‘Menopause Fog’ is indicative of memory lapses experienced during this phase.
Lifestyle changes, medical help: If you experience extreme menopause symptoms that affect your daily life for more than two weeks, talk to a gynaecologist. With proper assessment of the symptoms, they can refer you to a psychiatrist, if necessary. Exercise, cutting back on sugar and caffeine, and giving up smoking are some of the lifestyle adjustments shown to be extremely beneficial for mental health issues. Stress levels can be managed through mindfulness, meditation or relaxation techniques, which also improve emotional wellbeing. Anything that lowers stress, such as journaling, yoga, massage therapy or playing music, has always had a significant impact on the overall process.
Support system: When things get hard, reach out to loved ones, friends or support networks that may provide a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear. Women often find enormous comfort and reassurance in exchanging stories, experiences and encouraging comments, which serve as a constant reminder that they are not alone in their problems.
Self-educate: Reading and learning more about menopause can help women feel more prepared about the whole process and make informed decisions. Women can walk through this life-altering stage with courage, healing, comfort and resilience by acknowledging the emotional challenges, putting strategies in place, and always remembering that they do not have to suffer through this all by themselves..
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Rohit Malhotra is a medical expert and health journalist who offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being. His articles aim to help readers lead healthier lives.
