May 2008
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May 2008
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Over 175 articles on: Help support Mood --
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Mind over menopause |
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you read these? Essential information
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You’re irritable, you can’t sleep and you can’t remember where you put your keys. Was that a hot flash? Menopause can bring physical symptoms such as hot flashes, but also affect the way you think and feel. Hot flashes, a sensation of heat across your face and body that may redden the skin, may be followed by sweating and shivering. Hot flashes during sleep are called night sweats “Hot flashes and night sweats can keep you from sleeping well, which can cause problems in your thinking and memory, your mood, even a lack of interest in sex,” says Judi Chervenak, MD, associate clinical professor of reproductive endocrinology at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Menopause affects every woman in different ways. You may notice only a change in the pattern of your periods and have few bothersome symptoms, you may feel more energetic, or it could be a difficult time, as your body chemistry changes. But, before you blame menopause for your symptoms, she says, you should see your doctor to rule out other causes, such as problems with blood sugar or blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension or thyroid problems, which can have similar symptoms. “Keeping a symptom diary,” she says, “to record the symptoms you’re having, what makes them worse, what makes them better, can be very empowering. It will also provide information to share with your health care provider.” The hormonal changes of menopause can contribute to mood swings, cognitive problems and other symptoms, but, at the same time, many women are experiencing significant life changes. They may be adjusting to an empty nest as children go out on their own, moving to a new residence, experiencing changes in the marriage, even divorcing. Many women begin to take on caretaking roles with aging parents at this time. These changes can add to emotional upheavals. Menopause typically begins after age 45, but symptoms can begin years before periods cease and last, in varying degrees, for months or years. The reproductive hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone fluctuate from very high to very low, which can cause irritability, anxiety and depression, Serotonin and dopamine, the “feel-good” brain chemicals, also decline with age. “Sometimes women’s menopausal symptoms aren’t taken seriously,” says Daniela Schreier, PsyD, assistant professor, MA Clinical Psychology Program, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, “but they are actually neuro-hormonally based.” If you’ve had mood swings with PMS, you’re more likely to have them with menopause. You may be at risk of major depression if you’ve been depressed before or have a family history of depression.
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Hormone therapy, typically estrogen combined with progestin, carries some health risks for some women and is not prescribed for mild symptoms or for long-term use. You and your doctor should carefully weigh the risks and benefits. Some women choose herbal and nutritional remedies that may mimic estrogen, such as soy products, black cohosh and valerian root. They sometimes seem to help, but their effectiveness and safety have not been proven. Discuss their use with your doctor. To help reduce mood swings and memory problems
Some of the same methods you can use to get better sleep can also help you reduce hot flashes: sleeping in a comfortable room, avoiding caffeine and spicy foods, and using relaxation methods. Here are more tips for better sleep. The good news, says Schreier, is that cognitive function and mood swings usually improve following the pre-menopause period. If you feel very depressed, see your health care provider right away. If you are feeling suicidal, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately. Related articles Sources |
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Therapies for severe symptoms include antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications or hormone therapy, sometimes in combination. If your doctor recommends hormone therapy for severe hot flashes and other physical symptoms, your sleep and mood symptoms will improve too. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you cope with life stressors.