Mental Health & Menopause

Menopause just means having a lot of hot flashes, right? Not exactly.

While these uncomfortable, sudden waves of heat are a common symptom, it’s far from the only one. It’s also an example of various myths related to this life transition that affects women physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Our top-notch team of psychiatric nurse practitioners at Lewis Family Psychiatry provides comprehensive, individualized virtual care for people of all ages throughout the state of Florida who are experiencing mental, emotional, and behavioral health issues.

We offer care for a wide range of challenges from women suffering through menopause to individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and more. All treatments are conducted through our convenient telemedicine platform from our Wellington, Florida, home base.

Menopause

Menopause occurs when a woman has gone 12 months without having a period and can no longer get pregnant. Typically, it happens as a natural part of aging. Menopause can also result from a woman having both of her ovaries removed or, in some cases, undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.

Myths about menopause

There are many common misconceptions regarding menopause and all that’s involved in this life transition for women. Here, we focus on often-believed myths.

Myth: Menopause happens to women in their 50s

Many people believe women hit menopause in their 50s. While this is often true (the average age in the United States is 52), some experience this transition in their 40s. One percent of women reach the end of their fertile years before the age of 40.

Additionally, women who have their ovaries surgically removed undergo menopause at the time of the procedure. Some women who’ve had certain kinds of chemotherapy or radiation may also experience this change.

Myth: Menopause and its symptoms happen suddenly

It's easy to assume menopause symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and more occur at menopause. However, these signs can begin during perimenopause.

Perimenopause, or the menopausal transition, occurs in the time leading up to menopause when a female’s estrogen levels begin to decline. Women can begin perimenopause anywhere from their mid-30s to their mid-50s, and it can last from a short time to several years. This is also the time when anxiety and depression can start or increase due to hormonal changes. 

Myth: Hot flashes are the first sign of menopause

Hot flashes may be a menopause trademark, but they aren’t necessarily the initial clue of perimenopause. Often irregular periods that include changes in duration, flow, and length between cycles are the first sign. Other symptoms can be mood issues like anxiety, irritability, depression, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, and an urgent need to urinate.

Myth: The only challenges with menopause are physical

The hormonal shifts of perimenopause can lead to emotional health challenges in addition to physical symptoms. Falling levels of serotonin can result in increased feelings of irritability, anxiety, and sadness. Mood swings and major depression become more likely. Insomnia or disrupted sleep due to night sweats & hormonal changes can affect mental health.

Myth: Menopause needs to be suffered through alone

Many women believe perimenopause and menopause are periods of life to be gotten through with gritted teeth, but nothing could be further from the truth. There are a variety of treatments available to help alleviate symptoms ranging from menopausal hormone therapy and other medications to reducing stress and optimizing diet, exercise, and sleep.

A mental health professional can also be a key partner in managing emotional challenges that arise during perimenopause and menopause. For some women, these are the result of changing hormone levels while others may be experiencing external stressors in this stage of life such as aging parents, children leaving home, health problems, and career pressure. Many experience a combination of challenges. 

If you're suffering from anxiety, depression, mood swings, or another mental health concern, we can partner with you to help you feel better. Click our contact button or call us at 561-303-0433 today for a virtual assessment or treatment appointment.