Your skin is crawling, you’re developing unsightly facial hairs, you can’t remember where you put your car keys, and you’re constantly moaning, “why is it so bloody hot in here?” You want to punch someone in the forehead–and any forehead would do.
The good news is that you are not losing your mind or morphing into an alien species. You are, in fact, a normal woman passing through a natural part of female life–menopause.
Changes to hormone levels are wreaking havoc on your psyche. Factor in the multitude of unpleasant physical symptoms brought on by this “change of life” and you are bound to experience some…um…unpleasant emotional responses.
Lower Self-Esteem : The Emotional Consequences Of Menopause
A decrease in your hormone levels impacts more than just your reproductive system. Collagen production slows down causing the skin to lose moisture and elasticity, hair becomes thinner and brittle, finger nails crack and split, the redistribution of fat cells and a decrease in your metabolism cause weight gain, and unwanted facial hairs appear to be multiplying. These physical changes can batter your self-esteem, making you more vulnerable to depression and anxiety.
Fatigue
Feelings of utter exhaustion and decreased energy levels are commonly experienced by menopausal women. Whether these symptoms are brought on by a menopause-related sleep disorder such as insomnia or fitful nights of tossing and turning, continuous bouts of hormone-related night sweats, or depression induced by menopause, this state of extreme tiredness can impact your ability to concentrate, absorb information, and cope with stressors.
If you’d like to test your knowledge about hot flashes and sleep, check out this WebMD Quiz.
Diminished Sex Drive
Were you once a naughty vixen who couldn’t get enough of her man, but now find yourself covered from ankle to chin in flannel pajamas with nothing but sleep on your mind? Menopause is likely the culprit that has doused your sizzling hot libido. A drop in the hormone “androgen” is a major contributor, but your bedroom activities may also be hampered by vaginal dryness caused by decreased estrogen levels. For many women, the loss of sex drive can lead to feelings of inadequacy and depression.
Depression
A hormonal imbalance caused by menopause can, sometimes, lead to feelings of depression and great sadness. Some of the symptoms include tiredness, a sense of hopelessness and/or worthlessness, or problems maintaining concentration. If depression persists, you should seek medical attention.
For a more thorough look at depression, please refer to this list of the Symptoms of Depression.
Moodiness and Irritability
Nothing is more frustrating than riding an emotional rollercoaster–especially when your hormones are in charge of the ride. With moods that swing from happy to sad to hopping mad at the blink of an eye, you may begin to doubt your sanity. Don’t fret. You’re not insane. You’ve simply fallen victim to a decrease in estrogen, which causes a dip in the neurotransmitters that regulate moods. If it does get out of hand, you should talk to your doctor.
Anxiety and Panic
Menopauses causes a decrease in estrogen levels, which, in turn, leads to a decrease in the production of serotonin and dopamine–the neurotransmitters connected with maintaining your mood. This reduction can lead to anxiety and panic attacks. Symptoms include heart palpitations, an inability to control one’s emotions, shortness of breath, and an overall sense of dread. If these problems persist, it is important to seek medical attention to treat them.
Thankfully, there are many online resources available to help menopausal women cope with these life-altering symptoms. For some tips to relieve your symptoms, check out Moving Through Menopause.
If you find yourself suffering from the physical and emotional problems associated with menopause, know that you are not alone. By reaching out to other women your age, you will likely discover that they, too, are a sweaty, hairy, emotional wreck. And take comfort in knowing that post-menopause is just around the corner. Woo-hoo.
The good news is that you are not losing your mind or morphing into an alien species. You are, in fact, a normal woman passing through a natural part of female life–menopause.
Changes to hormone levels are wreaking havoc on your psyche. Factor in the multitude of unpleasant physical symptoms brought on by this “change of life” and you are bound to experience some…um…unpleasant emotional responses.
Lower Self-Esteem : The Emotional Consequences Of Menopause
A decrease in your hormone levels impacts more than just your reproductive system. Collagen production slows down causing the skin to lose moisture and elasticity, hair becomes thinner and brittle, finger nails crack and split, the redistribution of fat cells and a decrease in your metabolism cause weight gain, and unwanted facial hairs appear to be multiplying. These physical changes can batter your self-esteem, making you more vulnerable to depression and anxiety.
Fatigue
Feelings of utter exhaustion and decreased energy levels are commonly experienced by menopausal women. Whether these symptoms are brought on by a menopause-related sleep disorder such as insomnia or fitful nights of tossing and turning, continuous bouts of hormone-related night sweats, or depression induced by menopause, this state of extreme tiredness can impact your ability to concentrate, absorb information, and cope with stressors.
If you’d like to test your knowledge about hot flashes and sleep, check out this WebMD Quiz.
Diminished Sex Drive
Were you once a naughty vixen who couldn’t get enough of her man, but now find yourself covered from ankle to chin in flannel pajamas with nothing but sleep on your mind? Menopause is likely the culprit that has doused your sizzling hot libido. A drop in the hormone “androgen” is a major contributor, but your bedroom activities may also be hampered by vaginal dryness caused by decreased estrogen levels. For many women, the loss of sex drive can lead to feelings of inadequacy and depression.
Depression
A hormonal imbalance caused by menopause can, sometimes, lead to feelings of depression and great sadness. Some of the symptoms include tiredness, a sense of hopelessness and/or worthlessness, or problems maintaining concentration. If depression persists, you should seek medical attention.
For a more thorough look at depression, please refer to this list of the Symptoms of Depression.
Moodiness and Irritability
Nothing is more frustrating than riding an emotional rollercoaster–especially when your hormones are in charge of the ride. With moods that swing from happy to sad to hopping mad at the blink of an eye, you may begin to doubt your sanity. Don’t fret. You’re not insane. You’ve simply fallen victim to a decrease in estrogen, which causes a dip in the neurotransmitters that regulate moods. If it does get out of hand, you should talk to your doctor.
Anxiety and Panic
Menopauses causes a decrease in estrogen levels, which, in turn, leads to a decrease in the production of serotonin and dopamine–the neurotransmitters connected with maintaining your mood. This reduction can lead to anxiety and panic attacks. Symptoms include heart palpitations, an inability to control one’s emotions, shortness of breath, and an overall sense of dread. If these problems persist, it is important to seek medical attention to treat them.
Thankfully, there are many online resources available to help menopausal women cope with these life-altering symptoms. For some tips to relieve your symptoms, check out Moving Through Menopause.
If you find yourself suffering from the physical and emotional problems associated with menopause, know that you are not alone. By reaching out to other women your age, you will likely discover that they, too, are a sweaty, hairy, emotional wreck. And take comfort in knowing that post-menopause is just around the corner. Woo-hoo.
