Perché la menopausa può scatenare l'ansia?

Anthea*, was 51, when she started to have ansia e umore basso - and when her periods began to get more erratic and heavy, before they stopped completely. She couldn't sleep and had to be signed off work five times in a year.

However, it was only when she began to read about the menopausa and its effects that she realised it might be contributing to her mental health problems.

"«Mi veniva da piangere in continuazione», dice.

After speaking to several different healthcare professionals, Anthea eventually started counselling and terapia ormonale sostitutiva (HRT). This eases the symptoms of the menopause by replacing hormone levels that have dropped. After six months, her mental health had improved and she was sleeping again, seeing friends, and back at work.

Dr Radhika Vohra is a medical advisor for The Menopause Charity and an NHS and private doctor in Surrey. She explains that the hormone levels of oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone - all produced by the ovaries - start to decline up to seven years before the menopause starts.

Questo è chiamato perimenopausa.

"The changes in hormone levels and the drop in them have varying effects on your brain and body," she says. "There are so many recorded symptoms and anxiety - along with low mood and annebbiamento mentale - is a very common one."

In che modo i cambiamenti ormonali influiscono sulla salute mentale durante la menopausa

Shifts in the levels of female hormones are one of the key causes of umore changes for many.

Vohra afferma: «La diminuzione dei livelli di estrogeni, progesterone e testosterone influisce sul cervello. Il conseguente squilibrio, con una riduzione di sostanze come la serotonina e le endorfine e un aumento di altre come il cortisolo e l’adrenalina, può provocare ansia e irritabilità»."

Usually, progesterone and oestrogen can ease the effect these stress hormones have on the body, but once their levels drop during perimenopausa, questo si indebolisce. Il risultato può essere un livello elevato e persistente di ormoni dello stress, che può nuocere alla salute mentale.

Often, psychological symptoms can appear during the change to menopause too.

Vohra afferma: «Durante la perimenopausa, quando si hanno ancora le mestruazioni, anche se irregolari, si può notare un cambiamento dell’umore nella seconda metà del ciclo. Anche questo è dovuto ai livelli più bassi di estrogeni in questa fase.»".

Altre cause di ansia durante la menopausa

Oltre ai cambiamenti ormonali, diversi sintomi fisici della menopausa possono causare ansia e abbassamento dell’umore.

You may not feel like yourself and have low fiducia in sé.

Vohra explains: "Juggling many roles with home and lavoro ,e cercare di farsi carico di tutte queste aspettative senza sentirsi sé stessi è fonte di ansia per molte persone.

"«Possono essere davvero debilitanti, anche se non sono visibili», afferma. «Questo può portare a non riuscire a provare piacere nella vita di tutti i giorni.»".

As a result, you may lose interest in activities that once made you happy, such as exercise or socialising. This can worsen feelings of ansia and low mood.

Come affrontare l’ansia durante la menopausa

Si rivolga a un professionista sanitario

Vohra advises you speak to a health professional if you are having these symptoms, as getting help can start the process to differentiate symptoms of menopause affecting your mental health from depressione.

She says: "If you have a past history of sensitivity to your own hormone changes - such as premenstrual syndrome or depressione postnatale - you may be more likely to experience these types of symptoms during the menopause."

Scopra la terapia ormonale sostitutiva (TOS)

It's also a good idea to read up on HRT.

HRT can also help prevent weakening of the bones - known as osteoporosi.

La terapia ormonale sostitutiva (TOS) è adatta alla maggior parte delle donne, ma in presenza di determinate condizioni di salute, come una storia di coaguli di sangue o un tumore alle ovaie, all’utero o al seno, potrebbe non essere raccomandata.

"Your medical history, risks, and family history all need to be taken into account," says Vohra. "If your anxiety is hormone-related, then replacing the hormones with HRT could help. Do consider what medicines or contraccezione you are taking - this includes over-the-counter medicine as it can help your health professional evaluate your need."

Accedere alla terapia

Talking therapies and terapia cognitivo-comportamentale (CBT) can help you change problematic thought patterns, while helping you think through any problems.

Vohra says you can in many areas self-refer for CBT through your servizio locale di salute mentale - or consult a doctor or health professional to refer you.

"«Se soffre di ansia durante la perimenopausa o la menopausa, innanzitutto sappia che non è sola», consiglia. «Molte persone si sentiranno come lei e più se ne parlerà e la si comprenderà, più sarà probabile riuscire ad affrontare questa fase della vita.»".

Tieni un diario dell’umore

Keeping a diario del estado de ánimo can also help you track your feelings and identify any triggers.

"Record how you are feeling in a journal or app - either as a word, a scale out of five, or any other way," says Vohra. "Track what your mestruazioni are doing - are you missing them? Are they heavier? This will help piece the jigsaw together."

Dedichi del tempo alla cura di sé

Menopause is a tough time, so it's important to prendersi cura di sé and make time for things you enjoy or find relaxing. Esercizio can boost feel-good endorphins, but if you aren't feeling up for strenuous activity, try a daily walk.

Vohra suggests: "Enjoy music, read, have a bath, talk to your partner, friends or family, and be open and honest. It's good to si avvalga del supporto degli altri."