You may associate hot flushes and night sweats with menopause, but this critical change in our hormones can bring on a number of other unwanted symptoms, including anxiety. 

Menopause and anxiety are closely linked, and it's not uncommon for women to experience mental health concerns during this stage of life.

In fact, many women report being prescribed antidepressants, without even realising that their mental health is menopause-related. In this blog post, we'll explore the relationship between menopause and anxiety, the common symptoms, and tips for coping with anxiety during menopause.

 

The Connection between Menopause and Anxiety

Hormonal changes that occur during menopause can trigger anxiety. Estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating mood and anxiety levels.

Myth buster: Estrogen is often called a 'sex hormone', but it's not just found in the female sex organs. There are estrogen receptors in our bones, brain, skin, salivary glands and more. This means that estrogen's effect on the body is widespread.

As estrogen levels decrease, women may experience symptoms of anxiety, including increased heart rate, sweating, and a sense of impending doom.

The decline in estrogen levels can also lead to other symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. The presence of new symptoms can also cause feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.

 

Symptoms of Menopause-Related Anxiety

Everyone experiences menopause differently. You may have your own, unique experience of how your menopause anxiety manifests, but it's common to experience: 

1. Feeling on edge or restless
2. Excessive worrying
3. Difficulty concentrating
4. Fatigue
5. Irritability or mood swings
6. Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
7. Panic attacks
8. Racing heart
9. Sweating or hot flashes
10. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider. They can help determine if the symptoms are related to menopause or another underlying condition. 

Want to connect with other women going through the same thing? You are cordially invited to join us in The Glory Years, our private menopause community.

 

Tips for Coping with Menopause-Related Anxiety

Coping with anxiety during menopause can be challenging, but there are things you can do to manage your symptoms. Here are some tips for coping with menopause-related anxiety:

1. Practice relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, yoga, and meditation can all help reduce stress and anxiety. 

2. Exercise regularly. Exercise is a natural stress reliever and can help improve mood and sleep quality. Some excellent menopause fitness specialists include Kate Rowe-Ham and Kate Oakley. You can also enjoy a free at-home relaxing pilates flow by Studio | S on the NAYDAYA IG page.

3. Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can worsen anxiety symptoms, so it's essential to get enough sleep each night. If you're struggling to get good quality sleep, we recommend reading up on the NAYDAYA Stress & Anxiety Capsule, which supports more restful sleep.

4. Eat a healthy diet. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help regulate mood and energy levels - the protein will also help maintain lean muscle mass, which is hugely important as we get older.

5. Social connection is key. Social support can be an essential part of managing anxiety, so make sure to stay connected with friends and family. Sometimes it's tempting to avoid social contact when you're feeling anxious, but human connection has a way of grounding us and making us feel calmer. If you'd like somewhere to chat about your concerns with women going through the same thing, we'd love you to join our private menopause community, The Glory Years.

6. Consider therapy. Therapy can be an effective treatment for anxiety and can help you develop coping strategies to manage your symptoms. You may be interested in exploring Better Help, which offers more affordable online talking therapy sessions.

7. Talk to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can help determine the best course of treatment for your symptoms, which may include medication or hormone replacement therapy.

 

If you're interested in combatting anxiety with wonderful plant-based ingredients, we really recommend giving the Stress and Anxiety Capsule a go.

Alongside leading UK nutritionists, we designed this innovative daily capsule to:

• Regulate stress response
• Ease nervous system
• Build inner resilience
• Ease body tension 
• Health & restorative sleep  
• Reduction of tiredness and fatigue
• Hormone Balancing 
• Support healthy gut health

The capsule is Vegan, free from fillers, and all of the ingredients are in their most absorbable forms. It's also hormone-free, so if you are taking HRT, this can be used alongside, if you wish.