Is menopause a biological process?

Known as the “change of life,” menopause is the last stage of a gradual biological process in which the ovaries reduce their production of female sex hormones–a process which begins about 3 to 5 years before the final menstrual period. This transitional phase is called the climacteric, or perimenopause.

What happens biologically during menopause?

Women are born with all of their eggs, which are stored in their ovaries. Their ovaries also make the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control their period (menstruation) and the release of eggs (ovulation). Menopause happens when the ovaries no longer release an egg every month and menstruation stops.

Is there such a thing as menopause rage?

The hormonal changes of menopause, combined with its side effects, can have a significant impact on your mood. It’s not out of the ordinary to experience mood swings, sadness, and even rage during this time. In fact, one study found that for 70 percent of women, irritability is the most common symptom.

What are the psychological effects of menopause?

Mental health issues associated with menopause Mood swings are another common symptom of menopause. Low estrogen levels can lead to irritability, anxiety, and depression. Your moods can change quickly and vary greatly, from laughing to crying within minutes.

At what age is menopause?

Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It’s diagnosed after you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States. Menopause is a natural biological process.

Do hormones balance out after menopause?

You guessed it. Your hormones are at it again. The production of the two hormones that control your reproductive system, estrogen, and progesterone, slows down between the ages of 45 and 55. It’s the natural end of your child-bearing years — even if you decided to end that era years ago.

What is the hormone that causes anger?

Anger causes a physical reaction in the body. It releases adrenaline, the “fight-or-flight” hormone that prepares a person for conflict or danger.

What is the last stage of menopause?

Perimenopause lasts up until menopause, the point when the ovaries stop releasing eggs. In the last one to two years of perimenopause, the drop in estrogen accelerates. At this stage, many women may experience menopause symptoms. Women are still having menstrual cycles during this time, and can get pregnant.

What helps hormonal imbalance after menopause?

Treatment options for women with hormone imbalances include:

1. Hormone control or birth control.
2. Vaginal estrogen.
3. Hormone replacement medications.
4. Eflornithine (Vaniqa).
5. Anti-androgen medications.
6. Clomiphene (Clomid) and letrozole (Femara).
7. Assisted reproductive technology.

Is it normal to have rage during menopause?

Julie Adams, a 55-year-old graphic designer from London, began feeling rage and anger during the menopause. Kathryn Colas, 65, a company director from East Sussex nearly divorced her husband because of her irrational anger towards him.

Where does the anger in menopause come from?

Estrogen and serotonin may sound like characters straight out of The Lord of the Rings, but they’re definitely the good fairies of mood regulation. So, where does this anger come from? Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps control mood and impulse control.

How to deal with rage during the perimenopause transition?

There are a number of perimenopause treatments available. According to Kingsberg, mood changes are looked at from a biopsychosocial perspective — the interconnection of biology, psychology and socioenvironmental factors. Pharmacological options include hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and low-dose antidepressants.

How does estrogen affect your mood during menopause?

As you approach menopause, your ovaries slow their production of estrogen. Estrogen also controls how much serotonin is being produced in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate your moods. If you’re producing less estrogen, you’re also producing less serotonin. This can have a direct impact on how stable and optimistic you feel.