Can menopause cause personality changes?

Do you find you’re more irritable or emotional than usual? Lost your mental sharpness and focus? Feeling less sure of yourself? You're not alone. Changes in mood and personality are quite common during perimenopause and menopause. You might be looking at yourself in the mirror and thinking: “Oh my God! Who is this person?” This can be confusing or even frightening. Don’t worry, these changes are usually a normal part of this life transition. 

Below we explain what’s going on in your body and why you're feeling this way. 

Hormonal fluctuations and their effects

In the years leading up to menopause, your body goes through major hormonal changes. During this stage, your oestrogen and progesterone levels begin to decline. This can have far-reaching effects – not just physically but also mentally and emotionally. It is not surprising when you think about it. There are thousands of hormone receptors in your brain, and hormones play an important role in mood and the way you experience and process emotions. 

Hormonal fluctuations can have a significant impact on various aspects of your mood and personality, including:  

• Your emotional stability  
• Your ability to cope with stress  
• Your self-confidence  
• Your ability to concentrate 
• Your nurturing instincts 
• Your memory 

Emotions vs. personality

Let’s start by defining the difference between mood, emotions and personality. A mood or emotion is a temporary feeling or state of mind. Moods and emotions can shift over the course of a day – or within the span of a few hours or even less, especially around menopause. Personality, on the other hand, involves characteristics that are acquired throughout life.  

Research shows that menopause mainly affects emotional well-being and mood. Your personality remains relatively stable. What many women experience is not so much a personality change, but a temporary change in how they deal with emotions and react to them. 

For example, hormonal fluctuations and menopausal symptoms can make you more irritable and prone to anger. This doesn’t mean you are a ‘person with an irritable temperament’. You may sometimes respond in an anxious way, but this doesn’t make you an ‘anxious person’. You are still the same person. You just happen to be dealing with something. 

What changes happen during menopause?

Women may experience various psychological, emotional and cognitive changes as they go through menopause. 

Emotional changes

The changes to your hormones can cause emotional symptoms, such as mood swings, rage, anxiety or low mood. This can make you feel like a different version of yourself. These emotional changes are usually temporary. 

Increased stress levels

During menopause, you may have a harder time handling stress due to elevated cortisol levels. You may feel tense and restless, even for no apparent reason. High cortisol levels also suppress progesterone production. Progesterone has a calming effect on the brain, so less progesterone means more stress. 

Reduced memory and focus

Oestradiol (a form of oestrogen) is involved in cognitive function, particularly memory and concentration. Thus, declining oestrogen levels can contribute to decreased mental sharpness, brain fog and forgetfulness. It’s common to become more forgetful and less focused during menopause. Remember, this is often the result of hormonal fluctuations. 

Less willing to care for others

The link between oestrogen, oxytocin and mood is not yet fully understood. However, it appears that oxytocin (sometimes referred to as the ‘love hormone’) decreases as women transition into menopause. 

The release of oxytocin in the brain is triggered by social interactions. Oxytocin fuels our nurturing and romantic desires. When this hormone takes a nosedive, it can make you feel disconnected and less willing to care for others. So, if you’re wondering why you are suddenly burned out on parenting? There’s nothing wrong with you. Blame oxytocin! Don’t be too hard on yourself. This stage can also be a time for self-reflection and personal development. It might be just what you need. 

Impact of other menopausal symptoms

Declining oestrogen and progesterone levels can also interfere with your sleep and cause hot flashes, joint pain, (sudden) weight gain, and other menopausal symptoms. These symptoms can make life difficult, so it’s normal to feel irritated, stressed, insecure, overwhelmed or simply ‘not like yourself’. Remember, the way you're feeling right now is only temporary and will most likely pass. 

Also read: Wies: “I had no idea at the time that my hormones were making me feel emotionally unstable.” 

Are personality changes during menopause permanent?

Every woman's experience of menopause is different. The personality changes that seem to happen during menopause are usually only temporary. Your body needs to adjust and restore hormonal balance. The symptoms of menopause will for most women gradually go away over time. 

Despite the challenges, research shows that menopause can be a time for women to grow and rediscover themselves. Many women report feeling more confident and empowered after menopause. 

What can you do?

Self-care is important, especially in emotionally or mentally difficult times, or in times when you’re not feeling like yourself. Here are some tips that can help you to improve your well-being:

• Exercise on a regular basis. Physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins. 
• Find ways to relax. Cognitive and emotional problems can be symptoms of an overactive nervous system. Create time for rest, learn to say 'no' more often, and do relaxation exercises. 
• Stick to a sleep schedule. Poor sleep has a direct impact on your mood and mental well-being. 
• Talk about problems. It can be a relief to share your thoughts with someone else, like a partner, friend or professional. 

A menopause specialist shares her story: This is what going through menopause feels like for me 

When to seek help?

Emotional and cognitive changes are a normal part of menopause. However, seek professional help if needed. Are you struggling with depression, anxiety or mood swings and are these issues persistent, overwhelming or keeping you from living your daily life? Then reach out to a health professional. Together, you can explore what may be the best solution for you. 

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