How to banish menopause-related mood disorders
Studies suggest that approximately 50% of women experience depressive symptoms during the menopausal transition. And that doesn't count how grumpy menopause-related hot flashes, anxiety, irritability, fuzzy thinking and sleep disturbances can make you!
These kinds of mood swings, both transitory and chronic, result from menopause-triggered changes in hormone levels and can severely damage your quality of life. But there is a solution, according to a new study in the journal Menopause: systemic hormone therapy (HT). While 68% of women at the start of this study contended with a variety of severe mood disruptions, after around four months on HT, that fell to just 24%.
If you're in perimenopause (your periods have not stopped completely), that's the optimal time to start HT to ease or avoid mental health problems, according to an editorial in the Journal of Mid-Life Health -- and official recommendations say that you can start HT up to 10 years after menopause. But many (including me) think the 10-year recommendation isn't consistent with the data, and we discuss the benefits and risks of HT past that 10-year window with our patients.
If you're contending with these issues, talk with your doctor about starting HT -- and taking a low-dose aspirin daily to avoid blood clots. And to support a healthier, longer, happier life post-menopause, rev up your physical activity, upgrade your nutrition and embrace the lifestyle choices explained at michaelfroizenmd.substack.com and in my upcoming book "YOU: Getting Older: The Owner's Manual for Your Golden Years."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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