Menopause, Hormone & Life Changes
Understanding Hormones on Women’s Mental and Physical Health
If you’ve ever doubted the profound impact hormones have on women’s functioning, think back to moments in your life: navigating the highs and lows of being a teenager, experiencing premenstrual symptoms, undergoing pregnancy or the postpartum period, managing the challenges of fertility treatment, or transitioning through peri-menopause or menopause. The rollercoaster of emotions, energy fluctuations, and feeling “different” every day are not just in your head. Research tells us that hormones significantly influence how women’s brains are wired.
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Using advanced brain scanning techniques, scientists have found that blood flow into the emotional centres of the brain can be up to eight times stronger in women’s brains compared to men’s. This biological reality underscores why hormonal fluctuations can feel so intense and why they deserve greater understanding and compassion.
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How Hormones Affect Mental and Emotional Health
Fluctuating levels of hormones such as progesterone, oestrogen, and testosterone can directly impact emotional well-being and cognitive functioning. These shifts are linked to feelings of:
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Anxiety and panic.
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Unhappiness or low mood.
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Irritability or emotional outbursts.
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Difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness.
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Self-doubt and a loss of confidence.
When these experiences are dismissed or invalidated—by society, loved ones, or even medical professionals—it can amplify feelings of frustration, loneliness, and isolation. Not understanding what is happening in your body and feeling pressured to “hold it together” only adds to the emotional burden.
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The Stigma Around Women’s Hormonal Health
Unfortunately, women’s hormonal experiences have long been trivialised or misdiagnosed. Terms like “time of the month,” “baby blues,” or even “hysteria” have been used to dismiss valid concerns. Even within the medical profession, women frequently report that their physical and psychological changes are mislabelled as depression or anxiety, or are simply expected to endure these changes as part of “that time of life.”
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Too often, women are prescribed antidepressants or face negative labels without addressing the root cause: natural hormonal fluctuations. This lack of understanding and support can leave women feeling unheard and underserved.
Common Symptoms of Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes can manifest in a variety of ways, affecting both the body and mind. These symptoms include:
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Sleep disturbances: Broken sleep or fatigue, even after resting.
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Cognitive difficulties: Trouble concentrating or remembering things.
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Temperature sensitivity: Hot flashes or feeling unusually cold.
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Vaginal dryness: Discomfort that can affect intimacy.
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Urinary issues: Increased infections or bladder leakage.
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Loss of libido: Reduced interest in intimacy.
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Emotional challenges: Symptoms of anxiety or depression.
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Motivational changes: Lack of drive or energy.
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Self-doubt: Questioning one’s abilities and achievements.
The Psychological Impact of Hormonal Shifts
Beyond physical symptoms, hormonal changes often prompt deeper psychological shifts. Many women report periods of reflection and self-evaluation, leading them to reassess their achievements, relationships, and priorities. This process, sometimes called “social pruning,” involves shedding relationships or commitments that no longer serve them. While this can ultimately be empowering, it often comes with uncertainty and emotional challenges.
How I Can Help
I have a keen interest in the intersection of hormonal changes and women’s mental health. Firstly as a mother and 'a woman of a certain age', its something that I have encountered and endured first hand. My approach provides a compassionate and safe space to explore these changes, whether you’re navigating peri-menopause, menopause, postpartum challenges, or any other hormonal transitions.
Together, we can:
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Understand your experiences: Identifying how hormonal fluctuations are affecting your emotions, relationships, and sense of self.
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Validate your feelings: Offering empathy and support in a non-judgmental environment.
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Explore tailored strategies: Developing tools to manage symptoms, enhance well-being, and regain confidence.
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Talk about strategies that really work, including referrals to hormonal specialists.
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f you or someone you know is struggling with the impact of hormonal changes, know that you don’t have to face it alone. Let’s work together to find clarity, balance, and empowerment in this journey.
