menopause and Mental Health
Why Talk About Menopause?
- Because the medical establishment has a track record of minimizing women's health concerns
- Because menopause is a state of being for all women that affects us for fully a third of our lives
- Because women deserve timely information and treatment
The more I've researched, the more I've learned that menopause, a state of enormous hormonal change for women, is responsible for literally dozens of problematic symptoms. It's not just about hot flashes and night sweats. The sudden drop in hormones also takes its toll on our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Sudden onset or worsening of existing depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and suicidality can now be linked to menopause.
If you are a woman older than 35 and experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned on this page, I encourage you to talk to your doctor or naturopath about menopause and possible treatments. Women deserve validation and appropriate treatment for their concerns.
Some helpful resources
Read my blog post about menopause here.
I'm Not A Doctor But I Am A Woman
My own story is that I had to research the experience of menopause myself because the medical professionals in my circle of care had never mentioned it to me as a possible trigger for my most troubling mental (and physical) health symptoms:
- sleeplessness including the 3:00 am zoomies (I can totally relate to my cats)
- sudden onset of unexplained anxiety and depression
- a major panic attack episode which led to 3-years of Panic Disorder
- "doomsday" thinking
- intense rage
- chronic negativity and fear (not feeling safe)
- loss of hope
- brain fog
- feeling disconnected from myself
- lack of motivation as in "What's the point?"
- existential ennui