For many women, the menopausal transition occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, lasting between seven and 14 years. Although it is common to hear about the physical effects of this bodily change, you may be less familiar with how it impacts mental health.

Responding to menopause can be challenging for some women. Whether you decide to try plant-based menopause supplements or other natural remedies to help mitigate the effects on your body, it can be helpful to know what to possibly expect. Keep in mind that no two women are the same.

Increased Risk of Depression

During menopause, the body undergoes significant hormone shifts. As a result, the risk of depression can double during this time. If you have struggled with depression or other mental health concerns in the past, menopause can lead to a resurgence of symptoms.

With that said, there is no concrete evidence that menopause causes depression. Rather, the reduction of estrogen levels can impact your emotions and thus increase the chances.

Pregnancy-Like Symptoms Can Impact Emotions

Speaking of reduced estrogen levels, another way that menopause can affect mental health in an emotional way is through the pregnancy-like symptoms that can occur. From missed periods, bloating and menstrual cramps to breast swelling, fatigue and weight gain, there are numerous signs that you may be pregnant when actually you are in the beginning stages of menopause, or perimenopause.

If you wonder how often does menopause cause positive pregnancy test, the good news is that it is unlikely. For this reason, simply taking an at-home test can help you quickly figure out whether or not you are expecting or if something else is going on with your body such as menopause.

Possible Mood Disturbances 

In addition to increasing the risk of depression, bodily changes during menopause may also prompt other types of mood disturbances. For example, an overactive thyroid gland may trigger anxiety. In turn, you may also experience trouble sleeping.

Aside from increased anxiety, hormone shifts can also cause irritability and nighttime hot flashes. If you have heard what do hot flashes feel like, it is easy to see how this can make it difficult to obtain adequate sleep. Mood swings are also common. Sometimes, you may go from laughing to crying in a matter of minutes.

Other Exacerbated Mental Health Issues

Low estrogen levels may also exacerbate other existing mental health issues beyond anxiety and depression, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. For example, during the menopausal transition, women living with bipolar disorder have reported experiencing more depressive episodes than individuals who are not going through the changes.

Menopause can also affect women with pre-existing schizophrenia by causing a deterioration of the illness and requiring a higher demand for medication. Additionally, women who are going through perimenopause can have an increased risk of developing the first onset of schizophrenic psychosis.

Although menopause can negatively impact your mental health in several ways, it is important to remember that these situations do not happen to everyone. Learning about possible mental health concerns ahead of time can help you know what to look out for. Talk to a doctor as soon as possible if you notice negative changes to your mental health.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.