It’s always the hormones
Stocksy/McKinsey Jordan
Menopause.
For some women, its a minor inconvenience.
For others, it’s a life-altering cycle that impacts their physical and mental health.
Stocksy/McKinsey Jordan
And for all women, its something that happens during their lifetime.
The body undergoes so many changes during menopause like weight gain and low libido.
Physical symptoms aside, there are mental challenges too.
Understanding that anxiety can be the result ofhormonal fluctuationsis one thing.
Knowing what that looks like and taking the steps to navigate the journey successfully is another.
Once that happens, your body stops producing estrogen and progesterone, and hormone levels drop.
Its at this point that some of the physical symptoms can begin.
Bruce Dorr, senior medical advisor at Biote.
It can be disconcerting because you dont know where or when the symptoms will begin.
Menopause vs. Perimenopause: What’s the Difference?
Before a woman experiences menopause, they undergo perimenopause.
This is a period defined by hormones fluctuating and the onset of physical symptoms like weight gain and insomnia.
Menopause occurs after perimenopause when a woman hasn’t menstruated in 12 months or more.
Both physical and mental symptoms can occur during these cycles.
Of course, some physical symptoms of menopause can be symptomatic of other conditions.
But the main thing is that these symptoms often happen without warning.
Imagine suddenly being sluggish and headachy, with stomach aches and insomnia.
There are other ways menopauseor the symptoms of itcan make you feel anxious.
Life Events
Remember, life never stops.
So, while your body is undergoing major chemical changes, other major life events are still happening.
Unknown Bodily Changes
Then, there’s anxiety about the onset and potential course of menopause.
It doesn’t help that anxiety is one of the less talked about symptoms of menopause.
Anxiety carries a psychological connotation and is often viewed as a disease or a weakness.
Thefear of being stigmatizedand not taken seriously can keep women from discussing their feelings.
All of this prevents women from being vulnerable and open about their menopausal anxiety.
Counseling will help process your thoughts and give you coping mechanisms tocurb your anxiety.
Mindfulness activities can also help center and calm you.
Research shows that caffeine can exacerbate menopause symptoms.Eating a well-balanced dietcan also improve how you feel mentally and physically.
Implementing a good exercise routine is another helpful idea.
Light exercise like yoga or a walk can significantly help levels of anxiety, advises Knepper.
Hormone replacement therapy can be delivered via a wide variety of delivery systems.
Oral delivery includes pills or salivary tablets.
Transdermalthe delivery through the skinincludes patches, gels, sprays, or creams.
There are also injections by needle into the fat or muscle.
Consult your doctor to help determine if this is a good course of action for you.
Look into Anxiety Medication
If meditation and mindfulness aren’t working, consider looking into anti-anxiety medication.
Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) if you are experiencing severe symptoms.
Research shows that antidepressant drug treatments are effective in reducing anxiety stemming from menopause.
Lean on Community
Some days you may feel like you’re free to conquer the world.
On other days, getting out of bed may seem like a chore.
Learn to lean on your community for help.
Ultimately, anxiety may be a natural part of your menopause experience.
I recommend opening up to older friends and family to talk about what you are going through.
The North American Menopause Society.Menopause 101: A primer for the perimenopausal.
National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?
