Menopause and Mental Health: The Hidden Impact

From anxiety to depression, navigating the menopause can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster ride.

Studies often describe the transition to menopause as a ‘window of vulnerability’ for women. The latest research in menopause by DR.VEGAN® of over 1,000 women highlights this by revealing that half of women going through menopause suffer mild depression, 2 in 3 women experience a loss of confidence, and a shocking 1 in 10 experience severe depression and suicidal thoughts.

Menopause does not just impact the women going through it; it impacts everyone around them and society as a whole. So it should not just be a subject for women going through it - husbands, partners, colleagues, employers, friends, siblings and children should all be aware of how menopause can impact women in their lives, so we can all better understand and support them through it.

DR.VEGAN® is a brand of award-winning plant-based supplements and seeks to change the way people think about improving their health and wellbeing. DR.VEGAN® has been on a mission for over three years to break the taboo on menopause, encouraging people to talk about it and starting the conversation with its ‘Menopause Roundtable’, helping everyone understand the symptoms, and how they can overcome them through diet, lifestyle and natural, plant-based supplements.

What is the Menopause?

The menopause happens when women do not have a period for 12 consecutive months. According to DR.VEGAN’s research on menopause, 47 is the average age for the onset of symptoms, with 46-50 being the most common age bracket. As women age, their sex hormones decline, which triggers the onset of menopause symptoms, some of which can be debilitating. These hormonal changes can start years before the menopause, as early as your 30s. This transition period is known as perimenopause.

What are its Common Symptoms and Causes?

The symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can vary for different women. There are over 30 different physical and mental symptoms, some of which are more common than others. While some women can have no symptoms, on average women often experience around 10 symptoms of menopause - varying in severity. These symptoms can have an impact on the quality of life, relationships and even careers.

According to DR.VEGAN’s research, brain fog, experienced by 80% of women, and the inability to focus and concentrate are the most common and troubling symptoms women experience during the menopause. Brain fog, paired with changes in mood, can make women feel like they are not themselves anymore. This is often a result of hormonal changes, which are heightened by factors including lack of sleep, stress and dietary choices.

Some women may also experience symptoms such as cold flushes, hair loss, body odour, tinnitus, itchy skin, gum disease, vaginal atrophy (VA) and electric shocks.

Continue reading ‘Mental health effects of menopause’ or discover the unusual symptoms of menopause.

How does menopause affect mental health?

Menopause symptoms are well-known, however, the effects of menopause are not.

The different symptoms of the menopause can turn into a vicious circle, each creating or exacerbating other symptoms.

Loss of confidence, depression, suicidal thoughts, feeling inadequate, feelings of worthlessness - these are all debilitating symptoms that can lead women going through the menopause to avoid social interactions and feel a sense of isolation.

DR.VEGAN’s research found that 76% of women suffer from mood swings and anxiety, and more than 4 in 10 endure feelings of worthlessness, feeling inadequate and not wanting to work or go out.

Other studies found that women in peri-menopause have a greater risk of experiencing anxiety and depression compared pre-menopausal women.

 How can menopause symptoms be managed?

Positive lifestyle changes, including reducing emotional stress, sufficient exercise and quality sleep, can help support women through this time. Most importantly, a healthy diet can have an impact on helping you thrive.

Some foods or drinks, including alcohol, refined sugars, processed foods, caffeine and spicy foods, can exacerbate symptoms. A balanced diet, including wholegrains, healthy fats, protein and a variety of fruit and vegetables, can help reduce symptoms. Learn more about the best foods for menopause in ‘Nutrition for the menopause’.

Natural menopause supplements, like MenoFriend®, an acclaimed formula of clinically tested botanicals, minerals and phytoestrogens by DR.VEGAN®, can help too. MenoFriend® is expertly formulated with Wild Yam, Dong Quai, Red Clover (providing isoflavones), Maca Root and B-Vitamins to help naturally regulate hormones and relieve common symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, including brain fog, hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, poor sleep, fatigue, weight gain and joint aches.

88% of women who take MenoFriend® enjoy relief from symptoms.*

Create your free Diet Profile on drvegan.com to discover what your diet may be missing to help support you through the menopause.

*A total of 1,029 responses were collected via a nationwide online survey in the UK between 14-27 March 2022. Responses were confidential and anonymous. Among the respondents, 34% were in peri-menopause, 41% were in menopause, 17% were post-menopause, and 8% didn't know the stage of menopause they were in.