How to Spot Menopause Depression Symptoms

Let’s talk about menopause depression symptoms beyond hot flashes and night sweats, a shitstorm of symptoms that can make you feel crazy. ✔️ Get the truth.

MENOPAUSAL DEPRESSIONMENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS

Kennerly Clay

5/28/20246 min read

menopausal woman having trouble sleeping

What are the symptoms of menopause depression?

Before you chalk up "the crazies" to just another mood swing, let’s talk about menopause depression symptoms. Because, let’s face it, menopause isn’t just about hot flashes and night sweats—it’s a whole shitstorm of surprises, including low mood and other symptoms that can make you wonder what the fuck is happening.

As if you needed any more bullshit in your life right now, here come the hormonal fluctuations and emotional upheaval. And smack dab in the middle of this hormonal hell ride? Depression in menopause, blindsiding you when you already feel blindsided, highlighting just how much mental health and menopause are intertwined.

But what exactly is menopause depression? Well, it’s not just feeling a little blue—it’s a full-blown mood disorder that can turn your world upside down. Think persistent sadness, irritability, and a general sense of "meh" that hangs on to your heart and head. It may also include raging fits, bouts of crying, and total freakout sessions. But wait, there's more...read on for the truth about mental health and menopause.

Why hormones are the ultimate mood benders

Let’s talk hormones, like estrogen, progesterone, and their merry band of accomplices that play a role in regulating your mood and emotional well-being. When these hormones start to fluctuate in the years leading up to menopause (the actual cessation of your menstrual cycle), your emotions can go haywire. Estrogen, in particular, has a special relationship with serotonin and dopamine—the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters. So when estrogen levels take a nosedive, so do your mood and mental well-being. It’s like your brain’s happy wiring suddenly shuts down, leaving you feeling like you’ve been short-changed of the joie d'vivre you once experienced. It's maddening and disheartening all at once.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States.

Recognizing menopause depression symptoms

Menopause depression symptoms can take many forms, from crying fits and raging outbursts to days spent in bed because you can't face the fucking world another day. Some women may even experience more extreme symptoms, such as unwanted thoughts.

Coping with depression in menopause is a bitch, no two ways about it, because you're getting slammed with hot flashes, debilitating fatigue, and the give-no-fucks at this time in your life. Let's look at all the ways menopause is fucking with your life right now.

The sleepless nights and foggy days

Sleep disturbances are another hallmark of menopause depression symptoms. Whether it’s struggling to fall asleep, waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, or tossing and turning until the crack of dawn, menopause can wreak havoc on your sleep patterns. And we all know what happens when you don’t get enough shut-eye—fucking brain fog! Your thoughts are fuzzy, your memory is shot, and you can’t seem to string together a coherent sentence to save your life.

Overwhelming fatigue

For some women, the first symptom of menopause is deadening fatigue - a heaviness in the mind and body and a feeling of not having slept, even after a good night's sleep. Feeling like you "got hit by a truck" is common. Fatigue can also lead to low mood. When you're feeling low energy, you may start to feel not like yourself, just going through the motions of your life without enthusiasm. For me, low energy became equated with low mood which became a trigger for depression. It took me several years to come to this realization with the help of a mental health therapist. Before that, it was a period of asking: Why? What's going on? Why do I feel like this? And generally fighting against the feeling which was so unfamiliar to me at the time.

A hearty appetite

Menopause depression symptoms can also mess with your appetite, which is especially confounding given that most health and medical advice for menopausal women advises you cut back on calories and increase your exercise. WTF? I don't know about you, but I found myself insatiably hungry during menopause. It wasn't just a compulsion to eat. It was a downright whole-body hunger that made me want to eat all the time - while I continued to (duh) gain weight.

I hopscotched around various diet and weight management programs throughout perimenopause, losing and gaining the same 20 pounds over and over again. Ultimately, I was able to qualify for medical weight loss. I also happened to have one comorbidity: high cholesterol, another gift from fucking menopause. My insurance paid for semaglitude (e.g., Wegovy, Ozempic) and a weight management doctor guided and supported my efforts. I lost 40+ pounds over the course of a year, trimming down to a weight that made me feel like a Sports Illustrated model.

I know that semaglitude is not the solution for all, but if you ever wanna talk about it, stop into our Facebook group. I have tons of experience and am a stark, raving mad fan.

I don't know about you, but I found myself insatiably hungry during menopause. It wasn't just a compulsion to eat. It was a downright whole-body hunger that made me want to eat all the time - while I continued to (duh) gain weight.

Solutions to symptoms of menopause depression

menopausal woman out in nature looking serene

Embrace the unembraceable

Menopause depression symptoms may feel like an endless shitstorm, but remember, even shitstorms eventually pass. Embracing anything at this point might feel insurmountable, so perhaps just try going with the flow. Resistance to what's happening can produce greater agony because you find yourself constantly questioning and "fighting" what's going on. It's real, it's happening, let it be and do your best to work through it.

Grab on to gratitude

While menopause is messing with your mental health, it can be challenging to see the silver lining. But amidst the chaos lies an opportunity to cultivate gratitude. Take a moment each day to reflect on the things you’re thankful for, no matter how small. Whether it’s a warm cup of tea, a cozy blanket, or a smile from a stranger, finding moments of gratitude can help shift your focus from what’s wrong to what’s right in your life.

When I was in the throes of perimenopause - exhausted, brain-fucked, miserable - sometimes I'd go to a Home Goods store and just walk around and look at pretty things. I had no interest in buying any of it. I would just wander aimlessly, admiring the creative work of glass-blown vases, being thankful that such beauty and artistry existed on the planet. Or I'd look at some organizing unit and think how great it was that somebody had figured out such a brilliant solution. I found my little walks through Home Goods a practice in mindfulness. Just allowing my mind to rest lazily on things I was looking at.

Give to yourself

Above all, be kind to yourself. Menopause depression symptoms are not a reflection of your worth or your strength—they’re a temporary blip on the radar of your life. Practice self-compassion, offering yourself the same kindness and understanding you would offer a dear friend. You’re doing the best you can with the hand you’ve been dealt, and that’s more than enough. Explore more ways to deal with depression in menopause.

Real symptoms (but often temporary)

Menopause depression symptoms are a real and often overlooked aspect of this life transition. The hormonal fluctuations, combined with life stressors and physical changes, can create a perfect storm for depression. But by acknowledging your feelings, seeking support, and prioritizing self-care, you can navigate this challenging time with resilience and grace. Menopause will surely pass so chances are the depression will, too.