How Menopause Affects Your Mental Health?

As a practicing Ayurvedic physician, I have consulted with countless patients over the years who are going through menopause. This major biological transition can wreak havoc on a woman’s physical and mental health in all sorts of ways. In my medical experience, one of the most pronounced—and disruptive—impacts have to do with mood disorders and cognitive function.

The menopausal connection to mood

Multiple rigorous studies have demonstrated clear links between menopause and risks for anxiety, depression, and irritability. One major analysis published in the journal Menopause Review looked at over 15,000 middle-aged women across several countries. It found that those in early peri-menopause and menopause had noticeably higher rates of depressive symptoms than premenopausal women the same age.  

Researchers believe this menopausal mood vulnerability stems from the biological havoc that fluctuating hormones can wreak. Estrogen levels decline rapidly during the menopausal transition, while changes also occur with other hormones like progesterone. These hormonal shifts can disrupt key neurotransmitters like serotonin that influence our moods and emotions. It’s no wonder many women transitioning into menopause suffer from depression, anxiety, irritability, and mood swings as their biology adjusts.

Cognition also suffers during menopause

Along with mood disorders, many women going through menopause experience “brain fog” and memory problems. They may find themselves being more scatterbrained, forgetful, or struggling to focus. Studies indicate there’s a physiological basis to these cognitive issues stemming from hormonal fluctuations.

One recent study published in Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology looked at perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who complained of memory problems and attention difficulties. Brain scans of the women showed they had lower connectivity in regions involved in memory and executive functioning compared to premenopausal women. Interestingly, the women prescribed hormone therapy for 12 weeks saw increases in their brain connectivity networks, which also led to improvements in cognition.  

This indicates that the cognitive complaints many women have during and after menopause are legitimate. Fortunately, some women find them temporary and manageable through lifestyle adjustments like stress reduction, better sleep, memory exercises mnemonic devices, etc. However, the trauma to the brain architecture caused by shifting hormones means other women continue struggling with cognitive dysfunction for some time after menopause.

Managing the mental health toll of menopause

I often tell my patients that knowledge is power when it comes to handling menopause and its effects. Understanding the root causes of mood disorders and cognitive issues can help women as they transition through “the change.” Being aware of mental health risks allows women to be proactive about lifestyle adjustments and stress reduction. Some may benefit from short-term medication like herbal antidepressants. I also prescribe shatavari-based medicines for some patients which can provide protective cognitive benefits. Conditions like depression and anxiety linked to menopause often improve over time naturally as hormone levels stabilize post-menopause.

The important thing is not to suffer alone or in silence. With compassionate care from loved ones and professionals, the mental health impacts of menopause can be managed. The more informed and proactive you are about possible mental health changes ahead, the easier it will be to handle fluctuating moods and cognition. Consider me your partner along the way.