If a woman experiences menopause before the age of 40 years she is considered to have had an early or premature menopause. Along with the physical changes that occur during menopause, women who experience this change early in life may also experience changes in mood and emotional wellbeing. Emotional wellbeing during early menopause can be influenced by many factors including:

• Personality
• Life experiences – trauma and illness for example
• Individual thinking and behaviour patterns
• Earlier experiences of mood problems, like depression and anxiety
• Lifestyle – health, stress, activity, substance use
• Self-esteem, your roles and sense of purpose in life
• Body image
• Relationships, family and support networks

In particular, an early menopause may also impact on emotional wellbeing depending on:

• Other factors occurring in your life at the same time
• The way you were diagnosed – the time it took, if it was distressing, how it came about, how it was communicated to you
• Your individual physical changes and symptoms
• Your ways of coping, your lifestyle, relationships, support etc

Common initial reactions to a diagnosis of early menopause may include shock, disbelief, numbness, sadness, fear, anxiety and determination. Longer term reactions may involve depression, anxiety, stress, perceived loss of control, lower self-esteem, grief, motivation to make changes, acknowledgment of life change, and lifestyle changes. Seeking information and support is important in minimising the possible emotional distress of an early menopause.

Throughout this information you will see quotes from women who have been diagnosed with early menopause to illustrate some of the possible effects:

The diagnosis of an early menopause can bring many changes and challenges. We each deal with challenges in our own way and early menopause is no exception. If you have been reading this and can see things that you may be able to change or focus on, it might be a good time to have a go. If you need help for depression, anxiety or low self-esteem it can be very valuable to talk to someone, such as a friend or health professional, even if it is only once. Sharing your thoughts with people who understand, such as a support group, can be helpful also.

Most importantly, it is helpful to take action to deal with mood changes – so try talking, writing in a journal, art therapy such as painting or drawing, or some form of physical activity.

Taking action, and seeking help, can enable you to feel more informed, more in control, and find strategies for coping with the changes of an early menopause.

Body Image

A negative body image occurs when someone thinks, feels and/or pictures their body in a negative way. Women who experience an early menopause, more...

Life stages, loss and grief

When menopause does not come at the expected age and stage of life it may impact significantly on wellbeing. More...

Mood

Women who have experienced early menopause can be at greater risk of depression, anxiety and mood changes. More...

Relationships

The stresses and symptoms that can accompany early menopause can impact significantly on how a woman views her ‘self’ and ultimately this can impact on relationships with a partner. More...

Role

Experiencing an early menopause may mean that the roles you expected to have change. Early menopause may take away the possibility of becoming a mother for some women. More...

Self-esteem

Self-esteem is what we believe and feel about ourselves and the way we value ourselves. Self-esteem may be built on our roles and relationships, our body image, and our feelings about health. More...

Sex

It can be very upsetting for women to have hot flushes and sweats at a young age and even more distressing to have a dry, thin vagina which makes sex and intimacy painful. The impact of early menopause on sex can be very distressing... more...

Tips for partners

Listen to what your partner is saying about the changes she is experiencing with menopause. More...

Further Resources

Related articles

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National Magazine, Summer 2010

Grief and loss
National Magazine, Winter 2010

Books

Change Your Thinking
By Dr Sarah Edelman

Don’t Panic: Anxiety, Phobias and Tension
By Dr Andrew Page

Life Lessons
By Elisabeth Kubler-Ross & David Kessler

Loss and Grief: dealing with life crises
By Megan Gressor in association with Dr Geoffry Glassock

Stress: how to cope with pressure
By Dr David Lake

The Happiness Trap
By Dr Russ Harris

CDs/DVDs

Mindfulness Skills CD: Volume 1
By Dr Russ Harris

Fact sheets

 Early Menopause and Emotional Wellbeing 196.17 Kb

Websites

Australian Psychological Society

BeyondBlue

Lifeline

SANE Australia

 
Content updated May 04, 2006