Menopause: Anxiety & Nervousness

Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's lifetime reproductive cycle that involves significant hormone changes. There are many symptoms associated with menopause including anxiety.

Perimenopause

• Perimenopause is the period prior to the actual onset of menopause. It is not uncommon for anxiety to develop at this time.

Symptoms

• Anxiety can take many forms, including an intense fear that a negative outcome will arise, and feelings of losing self control, irritability, or restlessness. Other symptoms may include sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, rapid heartbeat and feelings of panic.

Dealing with Anxiety

• There are many things one can do to deal with anxiety symptoms during menopause, including understanding the menopausal process to remove the element of the unknown. Other techniques like relaxation, meditation and deep breathing also can help.

Treatment

• If the experience of anxiety becomes severe or significantly interferes with normal functioning it may be necessary to seek professional help. This can be accomplished with counseling and/or medication from a licensed medical practitioner.

Outcome

• Anxiety may occur for a time after menopause, but typically it will decrease as time passes and physical and mental changes are adjusted to.