Restlessness and menopause

Hormones influence many of the emotions people feel on a daily basis. When the balance of hormones in your body is disrupted, the so-called neurotransmitters that impact your mood and stress are affected. This causes an emotional effect. 

For example, oestrogen is known to promote the happiness hormones serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine. These hormones give you a happy, cheerful, but also a calm feeling – in turn, low serotonin levels are associated with feelings of depression. The higher our oestrogen levels, the more of these neurotransmitters we produce. When oestrogen levels begin to fluctuate during menopause, this has a direct impact on our happiness hormones. 

We also know that cortisol levels can rise around menopause. This can worsen menopausal symptoms, making them more intense and uncomfortable. It can also affect your mood. Experiencing stress tends to increase feelings of restlessness, agitation and inner turmoil.  

Declining levels of progesterone can also affect how you feel. Progesterone has a calming and stress-reducing effect. Once progesterone falls at perimenopause, stress becomes a bigger issue. Research shows that women with high progesterone levels are happier, more resilient and more stress-resistant than those with lower progesterone levels.  

When you're stressed and in a constant state of being reactive, the body can use progesterone to make the stress hormone cortisol. This is because, from an evolutionary standpoint, our survival instinct takes precedence over everything else. So in situations of stress, your adrenal glands will prioritise the production of cortisol over progesterone, creating a vicious cycle.  

Other menopausal symptoms can also make you feel restless. Lack of sleep (due to, for instance, night sweats), hot flashes, low energy, heart palpitations and forgetfulness can all affect how you feel emotionally and mentally.  

Throw into the mix a hectic family life, children leaving home, caring for elderly parents and a demanding job, and it's no wonder so many women find themselves feeling worn out and stressed. What’s more, medication use and underlying conditions can trigger or exacerbate restlessness. 

Menopause can be an emotional roller coaster. It can turn your life upside down, you may not even recognise who you are anymore. Your mood can be affected in various ways:  

• You may have crying spells, sometimes for no apparent reason 
• You may be irritable or have a short fuse  
• You may have trouble concentrating 
• You may feel gloomy or depressed  
• You may be grumpy or dissatisfied 
• You may have mood swings 
• You may feel lethargic  
• You may feel insecure  
• You may feel anxious