How Hormone Therapy Can Help Mental Health During Menopause – Prosperity Health | Functional Medicine Doctor

Don’t Let Menopause Hormone Imbalance Compromise Your Mental Health

Let’s face it: menopause is no picnic in the park. And, most women are aware that with the hormone decline of menopause comes symptoms like hot flashes, low energy, and unwanted weight gain. But many of our female patients are not aware that hormone decline can also cause serious mental health issues as well.

The good news is that replacing or rebalancing the hormones lost due to menopause can alleviate many symptoms of menopause – as well as help stave off certain serious physical and mental illnesses. This is why understanding the intricate interplay of hormones and their impact on women’s bodies and women’s minds becomes paramount.

In this article, Dr. Nishath Hakim, MD, a renowned functional medicine practitioner in the Southfield, MI area, explores the recent evidence of the relationship between women’s mental health and hormone imbalance. And she offers insights grounded in evidence-based research into the profoundly beneficial effects of hormone therapy on mental health, menopause, and overall well-being.

Menopause and Depression

Research has shown that women with a history of clinical depression and/or anxiety are more likely to experience recurring clinical depression or anxiety during menopause. The hormonal fluctuations that occur during menopause, particularly the decline in estrogen levels, can impact neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, which play a key role in regulating mood.

Additionally, menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and changes in libido can contribute to feelings of distress and exacerbate underlying mental health conditions. A study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that women transitioning through menopause were at increased risk of experiencing depressive symptoms compared to premenopausal women.

Menopause and Bipolar Disorder

Menopause has also been shown in medical research to increase symptoms of bipolar disorder. In some women, the hormonal shifts of menopause compromise neurotransmitter activity in the brain, triggering mood swings and exacerbating symptoms of bipolar disorder.

A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that women with bipolar disorder experienced more severe mood symptoms during perimenopause and menopause compared to women without bipolar disorder. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations during menopause can impact sleep patterns and stress levels, further leading to mood instability in individuals with bipolar disorder.

Menopause and Schizophrenia

The decline in estrogen levels during menopause has also been shown in research studies to trigger or aggravate certain psychotic conditions, including schizophrenia. Estrogen has neuroprotective properties and plays a role in regulating neurotransmitter activity in the brain.

A study published in the journal Schizophrenia Research found that women with schizophrenia experienced worsening symptoms during menopause, including increased hallucinations and delusions. Hormone therapy may be considered as part of the treatment plan for women with schizophrenia experiencing menopausal symptoms to help stabilize mood and reduce psychotic symptoms.

Menopause and Alzheimer’s

Accelerated biological aging is associated with women with a certain genetic Alzheimer’s risk factor. However, hormone therapy may slow this aging process and potentially reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining brain health and cognitive function, and its decline during menopause has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in women.

A study published in Neurology found that women who underwent hormone therapy after menopause had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to women who did not receive hormone therapy. Additionally, hormone therapy may help improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline in women during and after menopause.

Hormone Therapy for Menopause Mental Health

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT pellets), offered at Prosperity Health in Southfield, MI, provides a promising, safe and effective solution for many women experiencing mental health issues due to hormone imbalance during menopause. Additionally, BHRT can help alleviate “brain fog”, and memory and concentration issues as well as lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

BHRT pellets contain 100% natural, plant-derived, bioidentical hormones that closely mimic the hormones naturally produced by the body, including estrogen and progesterone. By replenishing hormone levels to their optimal range, BHRT pellets can help stabilize mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve overall mental well-being.

By addressing the root cause of certain mental health issues that are caused or aggravated by hormonal imbalance, BHRT pellets offer a targeted and effective approach to improving women’s mental well-being during menopause. Under the guidance of functional medicine doctor Nishath Hakim, MD in the Southfield area, women can explore hormone therapy as a safe and holistic option for reducing or reversing their risk of mental health issues associated with menopause.

Menopause Doctor Southfield

With a comprehensive understanding of hormone therapy’s profound impact on mental health and menopause, functional medicine doctor Nishath Hakim, MD in the Southfield area empowers women to reclaim control over their physical and mental health.

Through personalized BHRT treatment plans and a commitment to holistic care, Dr. Hakim guides her patients toward optimal wellness, ensuring that each step taken is a stride toward a brighter, healthier future, at every age.

Southfield, MI Menopause Doctor: 248-997-4242

Resources:

Bromberger, J. T., Kravitz, H. M., Chang, Y.-F., Cyranowski, J. M., Brown, C., & Matthews, K. A. (2013). Major depression during and after the menopausal transition: Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Psychological Medicine, 43(06), 1285–1297.

Marsh, W. K., Templeton, J., & Miklowitz, D. J. (2008). An Open Trial of Divided- Versus Single-Dose Extended-Release Lithium: Does Lithium Level Matter? Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 69(02), 278–279.

Seeman, M. V. (2014). Menopause and schizophrenia. Menopause International, 20(2), 63–66.

Henderson, V. W., St John, J. A., Hodis, H. N., McCleary, C. A., & Stanczyk, F. Z. (2016). Long-term soy isoflavone supplementation and cognition in women: A randomized, controlled trial. Neurology, 87(3), 263–270.