Menopause can change a woman’s life in many ways and while you’ve probably heard of common symptoms like hot flushes or night sweats, there are other side effects you may be less familiar with, including mood disorders.
So, how does menopause affect your wellbeing? And how can you stop mental health symptoms from ruling your life as you navigate this new life stage? Read as we explore the topic of menopause-related anxiety with expert help from Juniper GP, Dr Claudia Xiao.
Can menopause cause anxiety?
Yes, anxiety is a potential symptom of menopause and it is believed to affect more than half of women.
“Mental health conditions are common during menopause,” Dr Xiao says. “This is due to a myriad of factors including hormonal and physical changes, family and career pressures, and limited time for self-care activities.”
Whatever the specific cause may be, it’s believed that the drop in oestrogen that happens in menopause can lead to low moods and depression, which for some women, can trigger anxiety as they get accustomed to their new normal.
With the physical changes, common menopause symptoms like insomnia, and the natural process of ageing, there’s a lot to adjust to.
What does menopause anxiety feel like?
“Anxiety can be difficult to differentiate from stress, particularly for women who have never experienced it in the past,” Dr Xiao explains. “The result is that women who do suffer from anxiety often only present after symptoms are significantly affecting their ability to function.”
While anxiety can manifest differently from person to person, a key study on menopause-related anxiety highlighted four key symptoms:
- Irritability
- Nervousness or tension
- Feeling fearful for no reason
- Heart-pounding or racing
It’s important to remember that there are different types and severities of anxiety. If your mental health is affecting your quality of life – regardless of what symptoms you’re struggling with or how severe they are – you can (and should) always seek professional help.
How can anxiety be treated?
Menopause anxiety doesn’t last forever and symptoms may get better over time. The risk of experiencing it usually peaks in late perimenopause and decreases after menopause – one year after your last period.
But that doesn’t mean it is a walk in the park. Luckily, there are coping mechanisms you can adopt to make this stage of your life less overwhelming.
For ‘in-the-moment’ relief, Dr Xiao recommends “taking even a few minutes to go for a walk, take deep breaths, engage with a friend or spend time in nature.” In other words, small habits that will calm you down and distract you from the vicious cycle of intrusive thoughts.
Additionally, there are longer-term treatment options that range from cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) with a psychologist and medications to complementary therapies and lifestyle changes, like exercising more and leading a healthy diet.
“Medications including anti-depressants and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) have also been shown to be effective for managing anxiety during menopause.”
If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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