Finding Balance and Support
Understanding the Menopause Transition and Its Impact on Mental Health
The medical definition of Menopause is one day in a women’s life; 12 consecutive months after a woman’s final menstrual period. This one day, and the stages before and after this one day, perimenopause and post menopause, are often referred to as the Menopause Transition. It can mark significant physical and emotional changes in a woman’s life. As hormone levels fluctuate and decline combined with an increase in midlife stressors, many women experience symptoms that can significantly impact their physical and mental health.
Experienced and compassionate mental health care is available to help you navigate the psychological challenges of the menopause transition.
Women may encounter a range of physical and mental health symptoms at any stage in the menopause transition.
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Vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, are prevalent during the menopause transition and can lead to discomfort, irritability, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms can create a cycle of anticipation and anxiety.
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Changes in libido and discomfort during sexual activity are common, impacting intimacy in relationships. Women may feel less desire for physical connection or experience anxiety about their sexual performance due to body image issues or hormonal changes.
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Hormonal fluctuations can lead to unexpected emotional shifts and irritability.
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Many women experience distressing sleep changes. Hot flashes and night sweats can also disrupt sleep patterns leading to insomnia and fatigue.
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These feelings can stem from hormonal changes, life transitions or changes in self-identity. A history of anxiety and depression places you at at an increased risk for experiencing anxiety and depression during the menopause transition.
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Women may experience memory lapses, difficulty concentrating or what is commonly referred to as “brain fog,” affecting daily functioning and self-esteem.
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Many women report feelings of invisibility during the menopause transition, often feeling overlooked or marginalized in social and professional settings. This sense of being “invisible” can stem from societal perceptions of aging and can lead to decreased self-esteem and increased isolation.
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Physical changes like weight gain, hair loss and skin changes can lead to concerns about body image, self esteem and self-worth.
How Therapy Can Help
There is a way to navigate this life stage with renewed confidence and clarity.
We will employ a well-rounded approach to effectively cope with unmanaged hot flashes and other physical symptoms. To address sleep issues, using proven cognitive behavioral interventions can help.
We’ll develop strategies for managing memory, intimacy and body image issues.
I’ll help you Achieve your goals with collaborative therapy, and foster self-awareness and resilience through nonjudgmental exploration.
My expert knowledge of the menopause transition combined with proven mental health treatments can be very effective.
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CBT provides practical tools to address the emotional distress that is common with hot flashes, heart palpitations and other unmanaged menopause symptoms.
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CBT-I focuses on the thoughts and behaviors that disrupt sleep, helping you establish healthier sleep patterns.
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ACT empowers women in the menopause transition to live more fully in line with what matters most to them while supporting a sense of resilience and well-being
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EFT focuses on enhancing emotional connections and communication within relationships, fostering understanding and support during this transitional period.
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By exploring unresolved emotional issues or past experiences that may surface during the menopause transition, psychodynamic therapy can provide insights that can lead to lasting emotional growth.