Can Menopause Cause Anxiety?
Aug 07, 2025
Menopause is the natural transition out of the childbearing years. The journey is unique for every woman. Some sail through this time with relative ease. For others, menopause is far more challenging and brings unwanted shifts in both physical and mental health.
Our team at Greenwich Avenue Psychiatry understands the various ways menopause can impact your daily life. We’re here to offer the guidance and support you may need during this phase of life.
Menopause occurs when you’ve gone a full year without a period. Declining estrogen production is the leading driver of menopause and the factor that leads to most symptoms.
However, many women begin noticing changes years before they technically enter menopause. This phase is known as perimenopause, and it can last for several years. During this time, you may still experience regular menstrual cycles, but notice shifts in how your body and mind feel and function.
Here are some of the changes you can experience during perimenopause that may continue into menopause:
In addition, some women develop anxiety during these years, even if they never struggled with anxiety before. Knowing that this is possible can make it easier to understand what’s happening if you do encounter anxiety.
Hormonal shifts are the leading cause of anxiety and other mental health issues during menopause. Your entire body depends on hormones to regulate a vast array of functions. When those levels begin to fluctuate, it can cause anxiety to develop or worsen.
But let’s face it: menopause arrives at a time in life when many women are already facing challenges on numerous fronts. You might still have children in your home, or have kids who still need a lot of guidance and support even once they’re out on their own.
Some women are faced with having to take on a significant taskload in caring for their aging parents or in-laws just at the time menopause begins. You might still be working and burdened with career obligations.
All of these things increase your risk for anxiety, so it should come as no surprise that adding a hormonal imbalance to the mix can bring on emotional turmoil.
There is no need to suffer through the changes that menopause brings when treatment is readily available. For instance, hormone replacement therapy may be an excellent option for women who are experiencing multiple menopause symptoms.
If anxiety is your primary concern, the team at Greenwich Avenue Psychiatry can offer a range of treatment options to help you feel more like yourself.
Talk therapy can be beneficial and focuses on helping you manage the ups and downs of this life stage. For some women, medication is the best approach and helps stabilize their mood during this time.
You may also benefit from adjustments to your diet, exercise habits, and stress management techniques that prioritize mental and physical health during this transition.
When you’re ready to explore your options, reach out to our office to schedule an appointment. We also offer online scheduling for your convenience.