According to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh women do not have adverse mental health issues as a result of natural menopause.  Having said that, how have you been feeling lately?  Many women report varying degrees of anxiety, absentmindedness, or depression during menopause, and it really is no wonder considering all the changes that are going on in their bodies and lives.  When you take a step back and examine all the issues a menopausal woman has to deal with it becomes increasingly difficult to fault her for a mood swing here or there.

It is not uncommon for menopausal women to feel a little less like themselves, what with all the hormone changes going on.  From a physiological standpoint, a menopausal woman’s body is in a state of great change and a bit of chaos.  The body is essentially shutting down the baby-making factory, and no longer requires the same levels of estrogen. 

When a person doesn’t get enough sleep, or when they are plagued with fatigue, or when they feel achy or tender, it is not surprising that this may take a toll on a person’s emotional well being.  For some women, menopause is physically exhausting.  Add to this the other symptoms common to menopausal women such as incontinence, headaches, and weight gain, and it becomes more and more clear how physical ailments can have an immense effect on emotions.

The psychological aspects of menopause should be examined too.  Although many women greet menopause happily with the expectation of no longer having to worry about birth control or monthly periods, other women mourn menopause’s arrival.  They liken it to the death of their fertility, or as a definitive sign of their aging.  Some women may be embarrassed or even ashamed about the change their body is going through.  As with any big change, it is vital for a person to examine their feelings and make sure that the change is approached from the proper perspective.  

It is considered normal to have mood swings or feel a little bit blue as a result of menopause.  These feelings will likely lessen as time goes on.  If these feelings intensify or begin to affect your life in adverse ways, it is time to consult your doctor.

There are certain groups of women who have a higher chance of developing what is called menopausal depression.  Women who have previously experienced mood disorders are more likely to become depressed, as are women who arrived at menopause through surgical means, as with a hysterectomy.  The assumption is the sudden change in estrogen levels in surgically induced menopause may lead to depression.  Smokers also have a statistically higher chance of becoming depressed in menopause.

There are several routes a menopausal woman can take if she is seeking assistance with an emotional imbalance.  There are menopausal support groups peppered throughout the country and even online, and many times simply chatting with someone else who is going through the same things can make a world of difference.  For those women seeking a more clinical approach, there are therapists specializing in counseling for menopausal women.  In some cases, medical professionals may suggest treatment in the form of antidepressants coupled with estrogen treatments, which have proven to work quite well together.  There are also herbal remedies on the market made specifically for the emotional disarray menopause can sometimes cause.  It is important to note that your doctor should be informed of any supplements you are taking for your menopausal symptoms, herbal or otherwise, to ensure there are no negative drug interactions or conflicts with preexisting conditions.

Living a healthy lifestyle seems to work well for keeping emotions in check, especially during menopause.  This includes exercising regularly, eating a healthy and balanced diet, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol use.  Healthy living may also help lessen some of the other menopausal symptoms, and perhaps will make life a little easier to manage and thus less of an emotional strain.

Be aware that it is completely normal to feel a bit discombobulated during menopause, what with all the physical and emotional changes going on.  This too shall pass, and eventually you will likely be feeling more in control than ever before.