Menopause and our mental health

Hot flashes, brain fog, fatigue, disturbed sleep patterns – sound familiar ?

Unfortunately so many people (yes men go through it too) do not recognise this as the menopause, a natural change in our bodies. This period in our life can contribute to any existing and already difficult mental health issue, such as anxiety or depression. In some cases menopause can also be the beginning of the decline into a mental health condition. Sometimes we may not even recognise that what we are feeling or experiencing is as a result of these hormonal changes. Nightmares or peculiar dreams, pubescent issues (acne) all of these symptoms contribute to lack of self-confidence/esteem leading to negative/isolating behavioural changes are all symptoms (amongst many others).

How to cope

We will have individual ways of dealing with the menopause, as impact and response to that impact is a very personal thing. But the message here is we no longer need to do it alone, the word MENOPAUSE is becoming less of a taboo subject. Employers are starting to recognise the effects that menopause has on an individual. The medical, health and food industries are starting to provide valuable information and treatments to help address the symptoms. There is no need to go through this alone, reach out and research. Gather information about your experiences, try different remedies/solutions foods and exercise, what may work for someone else may not work for you and vice versa. This is a journey, your journey, we can let it control us or we can take control of how we want to travel through – all we can do is try !!

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about menopause, then the following may help

Menopause – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Menopause Matters, menopausal symptoms, remedies, advice