The transition from a woman's reproductive years into menopause can be an easy experience for some. For others, it is a stressful and challenging time. Some of the stress that menopausal women experience during this time is due to the different mental and physical symptoms that are caused by the fluctuation of hormones during menopause.
Transitional Stress
WomensHealth.org reports that some women actually look forward to menopause because they welcome the relief of not having to deal with menstrual periods and the fears of becoming pregnant. For others, however, it is a time of emotional stress due to the sadness that they feel knowing that they are no longer able to bear children. Menopause can be a particularly emotional time for women who have never had children, as it indicates that they will never give birth.
Stress Caused by Discomfort
Menopause is often accompanied by uncomfortable physical symptoms that can cause stress, including night sweats, hot flashes, sleeplessness, irritable bowel movements, joint pain, weight gain, irritability and hair loss. Once a woman reaches menopause, she is also more vulnerable to osteoporosis and heart disease.
Effects on the Adrenal Gland
The stress associated with menopause can interfere with the correct functioning of a woman's adrenal gland. The adrenal gland is responsible for helping with post-menopause estrogen production. Stress can cause the estrogen contained by the adrenal gland to disappear.
Prevention/Solution
WomensHealth.org recommends that women practice yoga, meditate or take part in an activity that helps them relax. Physical exercise is also helpful for dealing with menopausal stress and can especially help a woman maintain the health of her adrenal gland. The Mayo Clinic stresses the importance of a healthy, balanced diet for women during this time. Hormone replacement therapy can also be used to treat the physical symptoms of menopause, thus relieving the related stress.
Warning
The Mayo Clinic warns women against eating spicy foods and drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages during menopause, as they have the potential to aggravate hot flashes. The clinic reports that smoking is connected with a greater frequency of hot flashes as well. There are risks involved with hormone replacement therapy, including an increased chance of developing cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.
