Menopause

[Tim]

I would like to know what are the mental manifestations of a woman going through menopause?  

Thank you.

[HFHS.MD-AJ]

During the menopausal period, some women may experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, fatigue, emotional lability, irritability, insomnia, and dizziness. A woman's premenopausal personality may protect or predispose the person to these. During the menopausal period, severe and/or unexpected life events (such as the death of a spouse, the loss of a job, serious illness, or the youngest child leaving home) may also contribute towards development of psychological symptoms. Epidemiological studies have not shown an increase in symptoms of mental disorders or depression during the menopausal years. Studies of psychological complaints have also found no greater frequency in menopausal women than in younger women.

[Maria]

I would describe the mental menopausal state as extreme pms
Feelings of forgetfulness,depression,exhaustion(from the inability to have a good nights sleep - night sweats) A feeling that you have lost your youth.  Sometimes non interest in sex
probably from fatigue and/or painful sex due to dryness.
Maybe even a feeling of inadequacy.  Crying for no apparent reason.  These symptoms seem to come and go with me for not rhyme or reason.  If you know someone going through this I believe that you are affected a great deal.  Just listen, be understanding and read a book on menopause.  There are some geared toward men to better their understanding

[simone]

my mom has gained weight since her histerectomy, and she's achy all over. she has all the symptoms displayed above. how do i get her to excercise and be her lively self once again, it's effecting the entire family.

[joan]

I'm 43 and I would like to know if I'm going through menapause .I have nightsweats sometimes and I've started crying for know reason at times and I've noticed the past week that I get dizzy quite often .Some months my menstrual cycle goes 3 days,and other months I may go seven.And if I am going through menapause what can I do about it?

[Sharon]

I am 51, i have had a complete/total histerectomy (both ovaries out) can you still go through menopause? I am taking hormone replacement therapy. I have big mood swings and night sweats,  is it menopause?   How is menopause related to other problems, i.e., thyroid, blood pressure?

[cheryl walsh]

i january i started with severe anxity. the next day i started my period.  i have been from dr. to dr. finally an obgyn said it was hormonal. i have very little estrogene and projesterone. she has started me on it 2 days ago. she said i am post menapausal. i also have no appitite, feel depressed crying all the time, have no appitite, no sexual feelings, are there the symptoms of menapause or am i just going crazy. please excuse my spelling with the anxiety it is hard for me to comsentrate.

[Joanne]

I started early in menopause. I started into menopause in my twenties. I had a hysterectomy and had one ovary removed. I have not gained weight as long as I keep exercising. I had to start on estrogen and then both estrogen and testosterone(estratest). I only noticed the hot flashes. I was irritable but it was for other reasons, not menopausal. It depends on the person, but I believe all the women that I am friends with listened to me and got their minds off the problem by staying busy and using the estrogen supplement or natural estrogen. I even got some to try aromatherapy which can relax you and relieve some of the symptoms. Research is the key. Find all methods, try all methods and do what works best.They don't complain any more and I get the peace. Menopause does not have to be debilitating. Good luck in finding your own way of dealing with this time of life.