How Menopause Affects A Woman’s Health?

Author: Dr. Manisha Tomar MBBS, DNB, DGO
Consultant:  Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospital Noida

Approaching middle age often brings increased stress, anxiety, and fear. This can partially be attributed to physical changes, such as decreasing levels of estrogen and progesterone. Hot flashes, sweating, and other symptoms of menopause may cause disruptions.

Menopause marks the end of your period and your reproductive years. Some women look forward to this change, while others do not. Most women, however, don’t welcome the symptoms that come with menopause - particularly regarding their mental health.

The definition of menopause is when you haven’t had a period for a full year. The average age of onset is 51. However, your body starts changing many years before you reach menopause. This stage is called perimenopause.

During perimenopause, your estrogen and progesterone levels begin to diminish. Once you reach menopause, your hormone levels stabilise. But, until then, the fluctuation of hormones can bring on many issues.

Some women experience mild symptoms for a short period. For others, symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, and memory problems are life-altering and last for several years.

These symptoms can affect your relationships, sleep, weight, and mental health. While menopause is a natural progression of life that every woman goes through, every woman also experiences it differently. Everyone feels sad once in a while. However, if you regularly feel sad, tearful, hopeless, or empty, you may be experiencing depression. Other symptoms of depression include:

• Irritability, frustration, or angry outbursts
• Anxiety, restlessness, or agitation
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Lapses in memory
• Lack of energy
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Changes in your appetite
• Unexplained physical pain

Understanding the risks of depression

Changing hormone levels during menopause may affect your physical and emotional health. Also, the rapid drop in estrogen may not be the only thing affecting your mood. The following factors may also make developing anxiety or depression during menopause more likely:

• Negative feelings toward menopause or the idea of aging
• Increased stress, either from work or personal relationships
• Discontent about your work, living environment, or financial situation
• Low self-esteem or anxiety
• Not feeling supported by the people around you
• Lack of exercise or physical activity
• Smoking

Treating depression through lifestyle changes

Depression during menopause is treated with lifestyle changes, medications, therapy, or a combination of these options.

Some of the lifestyle factors which help:

• Adequate sleep
• Regular exercises
• Relaxation techniques
• Quitting smoking
• Support groups

Treating depression through medications and therapy

If lifestyle changes don’t bring relief, your doctor may look at other treatment options such as:

• Low-dose estrogen replacement therapy
• Antidepressant drug therapy
• Talk therapy

Depression during menopause is a treatable condition. It’s important to remember that several treatment options may help relieve symptoms and provide coping strategies. Talk with your doctor to discover what options may be the most effective.

At Motherhood Hospitals we have a team of experienced supers specialists backed by the latest infrastructure and facilities. We have the best gynaecologist in Gurgaon. We are experts in handling complex deliveries, gynaecological, and other surgeries, including various laparoscopic surgeries. 

Do make an appointment with the best womancare hospital in Gurgaon at a centre closest to you. Meet with our doctors, who will carry out the required investigations, diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life. 

If you wish to get in touch with Dr. Shweta Wazir, please book your appointment here.