Menopause is often a dreaded word for women in their forties and fifties. The list of possible symptoms is long, and stress and anxiety are some of the most common complaints. However, women are finding that menopause is not the end of the good years and that there are ways to lessen the symptoms and enjoy life. In fact, as women begin to identify the stress and anxiety, menopausal symptoms can begin to diminish. A medical doctor should always be consulted for guidance when there are questions about health and menopause.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes and night sweats are often linked to stress and anxiety, according to a six year study published in the May 2005 issue of "Menopause." Researchers found that anxiety preceded hot flashes in a group of pre-menopausal to post menopausal women, aged 35 to 53 years. Women in the moderate anxiety level were three times more likely to report hot flashes than women in the normal anxiety range, while women in the highest stress level were more than five times as likely to report hot flashes.
Stress and hot flashes were correlated in another study at the the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Researchers identified a decrease in hot flashes during menopause in women with better stress-coping abilities. Menopausal women were trained through yoga and other relaxation methods to cope with stress. After the eight weeks of training, women found they had less stress and consequently less hot flashes.
Sleep Disturbances
Stress and anxiety also increase the frequency of sleep disturbances in menopause. Hot flashes at night, called night sweats, interrupt sleep. Women often awaken to a feeling of excessive warmth and perspiration that can happen several times a night. These night sweats can be triggered by stress according to the website 34 Menopause Symptoms. Emotions, unsolved relationship issues or work anxiety can interfere with a good night's rest during menopause when hormones are unstable, according to Christiane Northrup, a medical doctor specializing in women's health.
Irregular Heartbeat
Another anxiety symptom during menopause is heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat. These can be felt like a fluttering heart, a skipped beat, rapid heart rate or pounding in the chest or neck, according to the website 34 Menopause Symptoms. Women sometimes experience these during hot flashes or other stressful situations, and they seem to be linked to the changes in estrogen on the cardiovascular system. Although they are normal during this time, all concerns should be reviewed with a medical doctor.
