Herstasis® Health Foundation Menopause Anxiety (2024)

FAQs

What is the best thing for menopause anxiety? ›

Will menopause anxiety go away? In time the anxiety will go away on its own, although you may continue to experience bouts of anxiety if you have worries in your life. Menopause anxiety is caused by the changes in your hormone levels as you enter into the menopausal transition.

Commonly prescribed medications for premenstrual syndrome include: Antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — which include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) and others — have been successful in reducing mood symptoms.

Research has shown vitamin E helps ease stress, reduces oxidative stress, and may help reduce your risk of depression. To increase vitamin E during and after menopause, take a vitamin E supplement and add foods rich in vitamin E to your diet. Aim for at least 15 mg daily.

The good news is that some studies (study links, a and b) have identified how magnesium may ease certain symptoms of stress and anxiety. Here are the facts: Magnesium may help to control the chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the brain, resulting in a calming effect on the body.

Changes in estrogen levels, in particular, may have an impact . Other changes related to menopause can cause anxiety. For example, 40-50% of people experience sleep disturbances or insomnia during the menopausal transition. Sleep disorders can cause anxiety, and anxiety can cause a person to sleep poorly.

What is the best antidepressant for menopause? Brisdelle (paroxetine mesylate) is a low-dose SSRI. It's currently the only antidepressant that's FDA-approved for VMS due to menopause. Research shows Brisdelle can improve the frequency and severity of VMS.

Estrogen helps regulate cortisol production; cortisol is your body's main stress hormone, responsible for your “fight or flight” response. Decreases in estrogen can cause increases in cortisol levels which can stimulate the nervous system — leading to early morning anxiety.

Can lack of estrogen cause anxiety? ›

The drop in estrogen and progesterone that occurs at the end of a women's menstrual cycle may cause anxiety and other mood symptoms. This is similar to the drop experienced during perimenopause, the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause.

Clinical Points. Physiologic estrogen replacement as the transdermal estrogen patch improves trait anxiety (the tendency to experience anxiety), but not state anxiety, eating attitudes or body shape perception.

Look around you and name three things you see. Then, name three sounds you hear. Finally, move three parts of your body — your ankle, fingers, or arm. Whenever you feel your brain going 100 miles per hour, this mental trick can help center your mind, bringing you back to the present moment, Chansky says.

The most prominent of anti-anxiety drugs for the purpose of immediate relief are those known as benzodiazepines; among them are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).

Magnesium for hormone balance

Magnesium helps to calm the HPA and return stress hormone production to normal levels, relieving you of anxiety and other stress symptoms. Magnesium is sometimes called the “relaxation molecule” for this effect.

Exercise (especially yoga), limiting caffeine intake, smoking cessation, limiting alcohol use, meditation and relaxation have also been shown to be effective modalities. There are also things you can do to boost production of oxytocin, the hormone that helps reduce stress and anxiety.

Get enough sleep — Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine to improve mental health. Reach out for support — Talk to health care providers, friends or family about how you're feeling.

Low estrogen levels during this time are likely responsible for many menopause symptoms, like hot flashes and mood changes. Many believe estrogen also plays a role in anxiety during menopause. Many women notice their anxiety symptoms get better after beginning HRT with estrogen for their menopause symptoms.