Menopause and anger and rage

Menopause happens when your menstrual cycle gradually slows down and stops. This is caused by dramatic hormonal shifts including a decrease in the amount and type of oestrogen you produce. For most this is a natural process which happens between your mid-40s and mid-50s. Menopause can also happen early or be caused by medical procedures including operations and chemotherapy.

These hormonal changes are responsible for many different symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats and sleep problems.

They’re also thought to be responsible for mood changes including anger. We know that a number of different parts of the brain are affected by oestrogen. These include the amygdala, hippocampus and hypothalamus, all of which are involved in controlling your moods. 

When oestrogen levels drop at menopause, these areas work less effectively. This is thought to be the cause of a number of mood changes seen during menopause, including an increased risk of depression, anxiety and mood swings as well as anger and rage.

Anger is a complex emotion, and problematic levels of anger rarely have just one cause. It can present itself in lots of different ways and at lots of different times. Keep a log of your feelings and see what patterns you notice.

If anger or rage is becoming troublesome, speak to your doctor. They will be able to rule out any other underlying causes for your anger and suggest appropriate treatment options.

Depression and anxiety

Depression and anxiety can sometimes go hand-in-hand with anger and rage. This is especially relevant because these conditions become more common during menopause. 

Other signs of depression include feeling low or sad, having low energy and not enjoying things like you used to. Anxiety disorders can take many forms including excessive worrying, tearfulness, panic attacks and intrusive thoughts. 

Read more about panic attacks with Erin’s story.

Anxiety and depression are common and treatable. If you think that this could be contributing to your menopausal anger, speak to your doctor. They can advise you on the best way forward. Always seek urgent help if you notice any thoughts about wanting to hurt yourself or others.

Other menopause symptoms

It’s common to struggle with a number of different symptoms at menopause with sleepless nights, aches and pains, urinary tract infections and heavy periods to name just a few.

It’s unsurprising that your mental health can be impacted by all of these physical problems. Who wouldn’t feel snappy after months of broken sleep, unpredictable hot flushes and feeling generally rubbish?

If this is the case, it might be worth thinking about treatments for your menopause symptoms. HRT is an effective treatment for menopause symptoms. 

Life and stress

Life can be stressful at the best of times. Menopause hits just at the time when pressures are at a peak for many. For those who go through menopause in midlife, it’s common to be juggling caring responsibilities for children and elderly relatives, often alongside a busy job.

Take a look at the demands on your time and energy. Is there anything that you could ask for help with? Changes to your working patterns? A shift in responsibilities at home?

Anger isn’t just an inconvenience. It can cause real problems in your work and home life, and disrupt relationships. If you’re struggling with anger, please see your doctor for advice.

You should see an urgent medical review if you notice sudden and dramatic changes to your mood or personality. This is especially true if you also have:

• New or worsening headaches
• Changes to your senses – including hearing, taste, vision or touch
• New problems with your balance, movement, speech or swallowing
• Hallucinations – seeing, hearing or feeling things that aren’t really there 
• New and unusual thoughts or ideas that others struggle to understand
• Thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Health professionals are there to help if you’re feeling this way. We’d recommend discussing your low mood with a health professional as soon as possible, if you haven’t already. This is particularly important if you have any feelings of harming yourself or others.

Getting help

• Contact your doctor or NHS 111
• Samaritans Helpline, available 24/7 – call 116123
• Mind
• Emergency help: If you feel that you can’t keep yourself or others safe, call 999 or go to A&E as a place of safety and for emergency help.