Firstly I will ask you to notice your reaction to this month’s topic. Do you say “Yes!”, “Huh?” or “That has nothing to do with me”.
Well menopause and perimenopause impacts every biological woman and that might be you, your mum, your sister, you aunt, your wife, your partner, your child. The Millennial generation are now perimenopausal and Generation X are dealing with the symptoms each and every day.
Actor Naomi Watts has helped to put menopause in the media after sharing her own experiences of early menopause in her 30s. I even recently heard of a new organisation role of a Menopause Ambassador which I think is fantastic.
Historically, in some cultures, very little was known about menopause and changes in mental health were treated as “hysteria”. However, in more holistic cultures, The Change of Life is considered a transition period and an opportunity to priortise self care and wellbeing - physically, mentally, emotionally, sexually, and spiritually. Post menopausal women are considered to be women of wisdom (1).
What we do know though is that through the three phases of menopause (Peri, Menopause and Post) we are impacted, not only physically through the well known and highly visual hot flush, but also through our body chemistry, our hormones and our moods.
Professor Jayashri Kulkarni is a leading menopause psychiatrist based here in Melbourne. Prof. Kulkarni states that estrogen, progesterone and testosterone have got the label of being reproductive hormones and yet they are key and potent brain steroids (2). Hence, through the stages of menopause, mental health and wellbeing is significantly impacted.
Mental Health menopausal symptoms can and do include (3):
- irritable or frustrated
- anxious
- difficulty concentrating
- forgetfulness
- brain fog
- lowered mood
- mood swings
- suicidal ideations
- reduced libido
- poor sleep
- fatigue
If you think you are experiencing menopause related mental health symptoms, then as Prof. Kulkarni says to trust your instinct – you know you best. If you think it might be hormones, help is available. Have a chat with Carina and contact your GP.
References:
Websites:
The Jean Hailes Clinic
https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause
HER Centre (Professor Kulkarni)
https://www.monash.edu/medicine/her-centre/health
Podcast:
The Imperfects
Dr Louise Newton- Maybe it’s Menopause
App:
balance by Newton Health
Book:
The Menopause Brain
Lisa Moscoin PhD
(1) www.continence.org.au
(2) www.balance-menopause.com - Podcast with Prof. Kulkarni
(3) www.jeanhailes.org.au & The Imperfects Podcast- Dr Louise Newton