How Menopause Affects Your Mental Health

While menopause can cause numerous physical changes, such as vaginal dryness and weight gain, it can cause mental health issues as well, such as anxiety and depression.

At The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group, the compassionate health specialists understand the impact menopause can have in a woman’s life. They offer full evaluations of both physical and mental symptoms and can customize a treatment plan to restore your quality of life.

Disruptive symptoms of menopause

While not all women struggle with life-disrupting symptoms of menopause, many women do. Some of the most common side effects of menopause and perimenopause — the period leading up to menopause — include:

The side effects of menopause that are less understood concern mental health. Because hormones control so many functions in your body, a reduction in hormone production can wreak havoc on all of your body’s systems, including the chemical activity in your brain.

When menopause triggers mental issues

Fluctuations in your reproductive hormone levels, primarily estrogen and progesterone, can have an impact on your emotional and mental health.

As your body reduces its production of these hormones as you get older, you may experience a variety of issues, such as:

In addition, changes in your libido and painful sex can interfere with your self-confidence, self-esteem, and your relationship. These issues can add to your stress and worsen any mental health issues.

Because many women don’t realize these issues may relate to menopause, they often don’t seek medical help.

Finding relief from menopause symptoms

Both the physical and mental side effects of menopause can feel overwhelming. The skilled physicians at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group, who are familiar with all aspects of menopause, offer customized treatment options that can give you relief.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms and your medical history, you may be a candidate for treatment with hormone replacement therapy. The goal of this treatment is to restore and rebalance the hormones you may have lost.

By correcting your hormone levels, you may be able to find short-term and long-term relief of menopause symptoms. The physicians at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group can deliver hormones to your body through a number of methods, including:

Your provider will carefully monitor the effectiveness of your hormone replacement therapy and can make adjustments as needed to reduce anxiety, depression, mood swings, and other symptoms. Your provider can also provide you with resources — such as counseling — to help you better manage your symptoms and cope with the changes your body is going through.

To learn more about how you can treat menopause symptoms and get your life back, book an appointment online or over the phone with The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

What to Expect If You Have an Abnormal Pap Smear

If your Pap smear results come back as abnormal, it’s natural to be concerned. However, there are a number of reasons why this can happen. Read on to learn what your next steps could be if your Pap smear results come back as abnormal.

Do Fibroids Resolve on Their Own?

Fibroids can be painful for some women but not bother others at all. Learn how hormone levels contribute to fibroid growth and what can be done to treat fibroids that don’t resolve on their own.

I Just Received an Abnormal Pap Smear. Now What?

If you’re feeling worried or alone after learning that the results of your Pap smear came back as abnormal, it can help to know what happens next. Learn about the potential causes of an abnormal Pap smear and what you can expect moving forward.

High Risk Pregnancy Care at Guirguis OBGYN Group

Your medical history, age, and other factors can all play a role in the health of your pregnancy and baby’s development. Learn about five common issues that can increase your chances of having a high-risk pregnancy.

When Should an Adolescent See a Gynecologist?

Parents will do anything to protect their child and ensure they’re healthy and happy. A routine gynecology visit should be part of your child’s preventive health care plan, but maybe a little earlier than you think.