The emotional rollercoaster of menopause affects millions of women worldwide, yet it remains one of the least discussed aspects of this major life transition. While everyone talks about hot flushes and night sweats, the emotional side of this transition is equally significant and deserves serious attention. From unexpected grief to surprising liberation, understanding the full spectrum of emotional changes can help women navigate this transformative period with greater awareness and self-compassion.
Emotions experienced during menopause have a solid scientific foundation. Research demonstrates that perimenopausal women are at significantly higher risk for depressive symptoms compared to premenopausal women (Badawy et al., 2024). When hormone levels decline, serotonin levels also decrease, contributing to increased irritability, anxiety and sadness (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024).
The same hormones that control the menstrual cycle also influence serotonin, the brain chemical responsible for promoting feelings of wellbeing and happiness. When these levels fluctuate dramatically during perimenopause, they can trigger mood changes that reduce one’s ability to cope with everyday stressors that would previously have been manageable.
Many women experience genuine grief during menopause, extending far beyond concerns about fertility. This mourning process may encompass:
As one grief expert observes: “We feel our youth slipping away, at the same time as trying to cope with mood swings, tiredness, brain fog and the loss of our childbearing capacity” (Champ, 2024). These feelings of loss deserve recognition rather than dismissal as merely hormonal fluctuations.
Research has identified what scientists term a “window of vulnerability” during menopause, particularly during early perimenopause (Alblooshi et al., 2023). This period represents when emotional symptoms typically reach their peak, with women experiencing elevated stress levels and increased distress from feelings of depression and anxiety.
However, recent Harvard research provides reassurance that women without a previous history of major depression are extremely unlikely to experience their first clinical depressive episode during the menopausal transition (Harvard Gazette, 2024). While emotional challenges are undeniably real, they are often temporary rather than permanent.
Whilst considerable attention focuses on the challenging emotions of menopause, this transition can also bring surprising positive emotional shifts. Many women report experiencing:
Research suggests that this phase can offer opportunities for identity exploration and personal reinvention (MenoLabs, 2024). Rather than representing an ending, menopause can mark the beginning of a new chapter characterised by greater authenticity and self-determination.
Encouragingly, research identifies several effective approaches for navigating emotional changes during menopause:
Developing resilience and self-efficacy: Studies demonstrate that these protective factors help reduce the distress associated with depression and anxiety symptoms, regardless of menopausal stage (Kuck & Hogervorst, 2024).
Professional psychological support: Cognitive behavioural therapy shows strong evidence for treating mood changes during menopause, with over half of women experiencing meaningful symptom reduction.
Community connection: Engaging with other women experiencing similar transitions can provide significant emotional support. The physical changes women experience during menopause can affect confidence and self-esteem, making peer support particularly valuable.
Self-compassion practices: Allowing adequate time and space to process these changes is essential. Incorporating simple wellness activities—such as mindful breathing, gentle exercise, or creative pursuits—can provide respite from daily pressures.
Alblooshi S, Taylor M, Gill N. Does menopause elevate the risk for developing depression and anxiety? Results from a systematic review. Australas Psychiatry. 2023;31(2):165-173.
Badawy Y, Spector A, Li Z, Desai R. The risk of depression in the menopausal stages: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2024;357:126-133.
Champ L. Is the Menopause a Grieving Process? Welldoing.
Harvard Gazette. Menopause depression risk has been exaggerated. 2024.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Can Menopause Cause Depression? 2024.
Kuck MJ, Hogervorst E. Stress, depression, and anxiety: psychological complaints across menopausal stages. Front Psychiatry. 2024;15:1323743.
MenoLabs. Menopause and Grief: Self-Love and Letting Go. 2024.
PESI. How Loss at the Time of Menopause Can Masquerade as Depression.