Coping With the Emotional Effects of Menopause

Reviewed Jun 24, 2020

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Summary

  • Talk with friends.
  • Focus on the benefits of this time of life.
  • Use this time to reconnect as a couple. 

If your last menstrual period was a year ago or longer, then you have reached menopause. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, with the average age in the U.S. being 51.

You may have hot flashes, night sweats, and trouble sleeping. Some women also feel a sense of loss during this time, particularly if their children are grown and if they’re caring for aging parents or relatives.

How you may feel

Some women have a tough time coming to terms with menopause. Reasons include:

  • Knowing they can no longer have a baby
  • Feeling they’re no longer attractive or desirable
  • Being sad that their younger years are behind them

The physical changes that happen before and during menopause, such as trouble sleeping, may affect your outlook on life as well.

What you can do

  • Talk with friends who are also going through menopause.
  • Find ways to reduce stress, such as practicing yoga or meditation.
  • Exercise. This will help keep you at a healthy body weight. Exercise can also relieve stress and lift your mood.
  • Eat healthy foods.
  • Sleep better.
    • Avoid caffeine, especially before bed.
    • Wind down and relax before bedtime.
    • Keep the bedroom at a comfortably cool temperature and avoid wearing nylon, which holds in body heat.

Focus on the benefits of menopause

While this is certainly a time of change, not all of the changes are bad.

  • You no longer have to worry about becoming pregnant.
  • You no longer have to deal with monthly periods. This is especially welcome among women who had painful symptoms or severe PMS.
  • If you have children who are grown, you can focus on yourself. This is a good time to set new goals and do things you were too busy for in the past.

How to help your partner

If your partner is having a tough time with menopause, your understanding can be a great relief.

  • Express your love for her. Some women feel unattractive when they reach menopause. Reassure her that this is not so.
  • Don’t take her moods personally.
  • Use this time to reconnect as a couple, particularly if you had been focused on raising children who are now grown.  
By Sharron Luttrell, Military OneSource. Used with permission.

Summary

  • Talk with friends.
  • Focus on the benefits of this time of life.
  • Use this time to reconnect as a couple. 

If your last menstrual period was a year ago or longer, then you have reached menopause. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, with the average age in the U.S. being 51.

You may have hot flashes, night sweats, and trouble sleeping. Some women also feel a sense of loss during this time, particularly if their children are grown and if they’re caring for aging parents or relatives.

How you may feel

Some women have a tough time coming to terms with menopause. Reasons include:

  • Knowing they can no longer have a baby
  • Feeling they’re no longer attractive or desirable
  • Being sad that their younger years are behind them

The physical changes that happen before and during menopause, such as trouble sleeping, may affect your outlook on life as well.

What you can do

  • Talk with friends who are also going through menopause.
  • Find ways to reduce stress, such as practicing yoga or meditation.
  • Exercise. This will help keep you at a healthy body weight. Exercise can also relieve stress and lift your mood.
  • Eat healthy foods.
  • Sleep better.
    • Avoid caffeine, especially before bed.
    • Wind down and relax before bedtime.
    • Keep the bedroom at a comfortably cool temperature and avoid wearing nylon, which holds in body heat.

Focus on the benefits of menopause

While this is certainly a time of change, not all of the changes are bad.

  • You no longer have to worry about becoming pregnant.
  • You no longer have to deal with monthly periods. This is especially welcome among women who had painful symptoms or severe PMS.
  • If you have children who are grown, you can focus on yourself. This is a good time to set new goals and do things you were too busy for in the past.

How to help your partner

If your partner is having a tough time with menopause, your understanding can be a great relief.

  • Express your love for her. Some women feel unattractive when they reach menopause. Reassure her that this is not so.
  • Don’t take her moods personally.
  • Use this time to reconnect as a couple, particularly if you had been focused on raising children who are now grown.  
By Sharron Luttrell, Military OneSource. Used with permission.

Summary

  • Talk with friends.
  • Focus on the benefits of this time of life.
  • Use this time to reconnect as a couple. 

If your last menstrual period was a year ago or longer, then you have reached menopause. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, with the average age in the U.S. being 51.

You may have hot flashes, night sweats, and trouble sleeping. Some women also feel a sense of loss during this time, particularly if their children are grown and if they’re caring for aging parents or relatives.

How you may feel

Some women have a tough time coming to terms with menopause. Reasons include:

  • Knowing they can no longer have a baby
  • Feeling they’re no longer attractive or desirable
  • Being sad that their younger years are behind them

The physical changes that happen before and during menopause, such as trouble sleeping, may affect your outlook on life as well.

What you can do

  • Talk with friends who are also going through menopause.
  • Find ways to reduce stress, such as practicing yoga or meditation.
  • Exercise. This will help keep you at a healthy body weight. Exercise can also relieve stress and lift your mood.
  • Eat healthy foods.
  • Sleep better.
    • Avoid caffeine, especially before bed.
    • Wind down and relax before bedtime.
    • Keep the bedroom at a comfortably cool temperature and avoid wearing nylon, which holds in body heat.

Focus on the benefits of menopause

While this is certainly a time of change, not all of the changes are bad.

  • You no longer have to worry about becoming pregnant.
  • You no longer have to deal with monthly periods. This is especially welcome among women who had painful symptoms or severe PMS.
  • If you have children who are grown, you can focus on yourself. This is a good time to set new goals and do things you were too busy for in the past.

How to help your partner

If your partner is having a tough time with menopause, your understanding can be a great relief.

  • Express your love for her. Some women feel unattractive when they reach menopause. Reassure her that this is not so.
  • Don’t take her moods personally.
  • Use this time to reconnect as a couple, particularly if you had been focused on raising children who are now grown.  
By Sharron Luttrell, Military OneSource. Used with permission.

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