To mark World Menopause Day (Friday 18 October) this week, the Thrive Wellbeing Hub explores the often overlooked and turbulent time in a woman’s life and the effects menopause can have on our emotional wellbeing.
Menopause and the preceding years are a significant life transition for any woman, whether it is part of the natural aging process or on-set by illness or medical treatment.
Changes in our hormones bring about many physical changes and while menopause isn’t a mental health condition it can indeed affect your mental health or can often make existing mental health conditions worse.
As a result of menopause, you may experience feelings of anxiety, stress, or depression, and many menopausal symptoms are intrinsically linked to how we feel or affect how we feel about ourselves, these include;
- Anger and irritability
- Forgetfulness
- Poor concentration
- Low mood and feelings of sadness
- Anxiety
- Loss of confidence and self-esteem or loss of self
- Difficulty sleeping
- Weight fluctuations
These symptoms are a result of changes in the body and can have a big impact on your life. While some aren’t considered menopause symptoms, many women experience these effects. However, if you know what to expect, and why you are experiencing these feelings, it can help you make an informed decision on what to do to manage your mental health during this time.
In 2021, the Athlone Institute of Technology carried out a study on the experiences and health behaviours of menopausal women in Ireland. Interestingly, a key finding from the report was that the majority (77%) of women felt they were unprepared for menopause. When asked where they received information from, family (3%) and friends (6%) were not common information sources, demonstrating how menopause and the experiences associated are not discussed among peers.
Historically menopause has often been overlooked, underestimated, and simply not talked about enough but it is a natural part of the aging process and something all women will go through which is half the Irish population.
Therefore, menopause can also be an extremely isolating and frustrating time. Friends and family may not understand or relate to what you are going through or be able to support you in the way you need. It is also a time in a woman’s life when other life stressors and major events are taking place such as working full time, in busy and stressful seniority positions, caring for children, dealing with ageing parents and navigating other life transitions.
Alleviating the emotional toll of menopause
The impact of the hormonal changes that take place in the lead-up to menopause can be stressful, unfamiliar, and confusing. While some women will require medical intervention, for many healthy and positive lifestyle habits can ease many of the symptoms, help protect your mental wellbeing and alleviate the emotional toll experienced at this turbulent time.
Be aware of the symptoms and associated emotions that may accompany menopause as it helps you explain mood changes you may be experiencing.
Monitor your mood and note any patterns. Are you feeling irritable because you had difficulty sleeping? Do feelings of anxiety correlate with stress levels, poor concentration or brain fog? If these symptoms become severe and interfere with your daily life and relationships, seek help.
Incorporate good lifestyle habits such as increasing exercise, eating well, getting plenty of rest and adequate sleep, and engaging in relaxing activities to help control stress and reduce potential symptoms.
Reach out to others. It is important to not struggle alone. As we have detailed, many don’t share their menopause experience with peers and family but creating an open dialogue around menopause is important for peer-to-peer information sharing and confirming you are not alone and that many others have gone or are going through the same.
Seek out workplace supports. Many women report that their work performance and availability are affected by menopause issues which can contribute to already heightened stress and anxiety levels. Thankfully, it is now much more commonplace for companies to implement menopause policies due to the challenges women face as they cope with symptoms.
For example, Chartered Accountants Ireland developed its own menopause policy aimed at supporting employees coping with challenges arising from the menopause. As part of the policy, training was provided to tackle the discourse, flexible working arrangements were implemented as well as other accommodations such as welfare rooms, appropriate workplace equipment and occupational health provisions.
And remember, it's temporary. The menopausal transition is just that a transition and it isn’t permanent. It is important to remember that the dip in mental wellness and unpleasant symptoms in this period of life won't last forever and will ease with time.
If menopause is affecting you or a loved one’s emotional wellbeing, please remember the Thrive Wellbeing Hub is here to support you, whether that’s help devising a self-care plan, dispensing advice, or being the confidant and support system you need.
LOADING...