{"id":43570,"date":"2025-06-02T12:00:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T10:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amazingy.com\/magazine\/?p=43570"},"modified":"2025-08-16T19:42:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T17:42:25","slug":"menopause-the-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amazingy.com\/magazine\/menopause-the-mind\/","title":{"rendered":"Menopause \u2014 The Mind"},"content":{"rendered":"

I always thought of myself as someone who had \u201cher emotions under control\u201d\u2014that is, of course, until I entered menopause prematurely. From ugly-crying in public to uncontrollable rage to forgetting, well, everything, the mental experience of menopause was deeply humbling to say the least. And I am not alone in this one. Although we often think of menopause as only hot flushes, the reality is that the other four of the top five symptoms women report as most bothersome are related to mental health.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The most common mental experiences during menopause include mood swings, irritability and rage, anxiety, depressive states or low mood, cognitive issues like brain fog (trouble concentrating or remembering things), and sleep disturbances such as difficulty falling asleep or poor-quality sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not surprisingly, these can lead to a lack of confidence and identity confusion. Not being in control of one\u2019s emotions can be scary and frustrating\u2014not to mention a burden on relationships. Many people going through menopause fear they\u2019re developing dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s when they experience brain fog or forget\u2014AGAIN\u2014where they left their keys (it\u2019s the freezer, the answer is almost always the freezer, ask me how I know). This sudden sense of disconnection from your own mind, or apparent changes in personality, can feel overwhelming.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another not-so-fun fact: many of the mental experiences during menopause can mimic or overlap with burnout. This leads to many women being diagnosed with burnout when in fact they\u2019re in perimenopause\u2014or vice versa. The distinction isn\u2019t always clear, especially when you\u2019re also juggling caregiving responsibilities, work stress, and everything else. As always when we talk about menopause, it\u2019s nearly impossible to draw clean lines between \u201cmenopause\u201d and \u201cthe rest of your life.\u201d That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to be aware of these experiences and listen to what they might be telling you.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Mind<\/p>\n

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Time matters<\/b><\/em><\/h2>\n

Another important factor is time and how the experience changes depending on where we are in the menopause process. During perimenopause, when hormones are fluctuating most violently, the risk of mental distress is highest. The image I think best represents perimenopause is that of a rollercoaster. Hormones are all over the place, and so are moods. Add to that managing unpredictable cycles, juggling most of the care work in society plus a job, and we\u2019ve got a recipe for disaster.<\/span><\/p>\n

This alone can strain a person\u2019s mental health. And what\u2019s worse, many women don\u2019t even know they\u2019re in perimenopause\u2014either because they haven\u2019t heard of it, or because their experiences don\u2019t match the stereotypes. That can cause them to think there is something wrong with them, instead of realising it\u2019s something going on hormonally.<\/span><\/p>\n

In postmenopause, hormones stabilise, but some mental symptoms can linger or shift. Depression or anxiety can stick around if left untreated. The brain does adjust to a new hormonal baseline over time but lifestyle changes or therapeutic support are often still needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why I always remind clients that the experience of menopause is not linear. Mental symptoms may come and go. Keeping a record of them can be incredibly useful to help you stay aware, notice their impact on your daily life, and seek the support you want, need, and deserve.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also worth saying that many women report their mental clarity improves postmenopause. So yes, there is light ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"AI<\/p>\n

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Educate yourself<\/b><\/em><\/h2>\n

One of my most important roles as a menopause doula is to provide education so that women can make informed choices that work for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although we\u2019re starting to talk more openly about menopause, there\u2019s still a lot of confusion. Long lists of symptoms can be overwhelming and contribute to overproblematising the menopause experience\u2014but they also have value. They can help you recognise what\u2019s happening, understand that it is common, and feel less alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

When you understand what\u2019s normal, and what might need support versus what doesn\u2019t, it reduces fear and stress. It also reduces shame. Mental health challenges are part of the process for many people. That doesn\u2019t mean we ignore them\u2014it means we name them and learn to work with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, most healthcare systems and workplaces still don\u2019t understand menopause well. So we need to be informed to advocate for ourselves\u2014whether with our doctors, our employers, or even our own families.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Time for a mindset change<\/b><\/em><\/h2>\n

Still, knowing something is normal doesn\u2019t make it easier to live with it, especially when your work or daily life is being affected.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first thing I usually recommend is trying to shift your mindset. Research supports what many of us intuitively know: what we resist, persists. The more we try to fight or suppress symptoms, the louder they tend to get. On the other hand, approaching them with acceptance\u2014or even humour if that\u2019s something you can do at this point\u2014can make a huge difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

You are not \u201cgoing crazy\u201d or losing yourself. You are going through something real and deep. Think of it as a recalibration. You are birthing yourself anew, and far from becoming someone else, this new version might feel more \u201cyou\u201d than ever before once this adjusting phase passes.<\/span><\/p>\n

This kind of inner work is essential for a smooth process and I recommend you don\u2019t skip it. But that doesn\u2019t mean there aren\u2019t other tools and supports that can help too.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Mind<\/p>\n

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The basics still matter<\/b><\/em><\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s revisit the foundation: food, movement, and sleep. I know I\u2019m repeating myself, but I can\u2019t stress enough how important it is to build this base in the pyramid of your health. These tools are just as critical for your mental health as they are for your body.<\/span><\/p>\n