Key points:
- Hormones are responsible for mood swings in women.
- It is completely normal to feel a change in self-perception and libido.
- Talk to people close to you who have already gone through this stage, it will reassure you to know that you are not alone and that it is completely normal.
Menopause is a stage in the life of every woman where she will have physical and psychological changes. This process consists of the permanent cessation of menstruation, causing hormonal changes.
Dr. Consuelo Manero Soto, a psychotherapy and mental health specialist at ABC Medical Center, says that “previously, it was believed that women’s emotional changes came from their life circumstances, an example is when the children leave the house, aging, relationship problems, etc. All this resulted in the rapid mood swings that they suffer at this stage”.
“It is important to remember that menopause is a natural stage and does not have to be prevented, only reduce the risk of long-term problems, so it is necessary to see your doctor for them to indicate what measures should be taken.”1
But various investigations have shown that these emotional changes come specifically from hormones, which are changing in the body, additionally, there is a drop in serotonin, a neurotransmitter known as the “happiness hormone”.
These hormonal changes mean that women cannot concentrate well, that they forget things, and have mood swings in which they are irritable one moment and sad the next; all this can lead to depression or anxiety.
Another factor that women will see is a low libido, which will cause them to not have energy, they can lose self-confidence, not like themselves physically, etc.
The reality is that all these changes and emotions are completely normal; as a woman, you must understand that it is not you, that you are experiencing hormonal changes that can worsen due to your environment.
Beyond the medical and psychological review of this stage of life, Dr. Manero says that there are various actions that every woman can carry out that will help her emotionally to have a better quality of life.
The main thing is not to isolate yourself, continue to meet with friends who have a positive impact on your life, who make you laugh and help you feel good; stay away from those who criticize you or with whom you do not feel comfortable.
Having family close by can also help, remember that your aunts, grandmothers, and your mother have already been through this, so they can tell you about their experiences and the actions they took during the process.
Getting dressed and ready will also help improve your self-perception. Dress in layers for those hot flashes and don’t be afraid to buy a nice fan, don’t be embarrassed when you get a hot flash.
Finally, seek to learn new things, this will help you fight concentration and memory problems and to make you feel active and productive. Gone is the time when at 50 years old women had to stop dyeing their hair, stop looking good, and only be a housewife. Nowadays you have so many options, you can wear heels, continue working, learn to dance, or even learn a new language.
Having reached menopause only means that you will start having hormonal changes in your body, but there are countless things you can do to enjoy life.
Dr. Manero recommends that you should learn to know yourself again, it is good to study everything that can happen at this stage and work together with your doctors, family, friends, and yourself to have a great quality of life.
At ABC Medical Center’s Women’s Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuente:
Dra. Consuelo Manero Soto – Psychotherapy and mental health specialist at ABC Medical Center
https://youtu.be/ZAGkWncM4hI
https://www.cun.es/enfermedades-tratamientos/enfermedades/menopausia.
1https://www.gob.mx/salud/articulos/conoce-los-sintomas-de-la-menopausia
