Are Panic Attacks and Menopause Related Or Not?

There are so many uncomfortable symptoms that women undergoing menopause already experience that it seems almost cruel that life would even consider burdening them with one more ill effect. Unfortunately, for many women, life is sometimes that cruel. For these women, the hormonal changes brought on by menopause do far more than cause hot flashes, sexual dysfunctions, sleep interruptions, and the other common symptoms associated with this life change - no, for these women, the hormonal imbalances can also result in an increase in anxiety as well. In fact, the relationship between the two is now far better understood than in previous generations.

If you are menopausal, and have experienced increases in your heartbeat and breathing rates, dizziness, severe chest tightening, and feelings of anxiousness, it is likely that you have experienced a panic attack. Panic attacks and menopause would seem to be natural allies in some respects. Many instances of heightened anxiety resulting in such an attack stem from hormonal shifts and imbalances. Because menopause is the result of changes in the hormonal structure of a woman's body, it is not surprising that a certain percentage of women find themselves faced with both during this period of their lives.

One of the easiest ways to understand the relationship between panic attacks and menopause is to simply look at the emotional effects suffered by women. During the hormonal changes that serve to shut down the woman's reproductive capabilities, she is very vulnerable to severe mood swings and feelings of insecurity. These feelings can manifest themselves in the form of increased anxiety, which can swiftly escalate to panic attacks. If untreated, they can have a severe negative effect on the women who suffer from them.

The relationship between panic attacks and menopause is so strong that it affects women of every kind. Unfortunately, attacks can be triggered by such things as job stress, pre-existing fears, and family disruptions. They can even occur without a recognizable trigger event. Worse, the attacks themselves can increase the woman's feelings of depression and self-consciousness, which can then result in even more sever panic attacks.

Fortunately, there is a solution to the problems, although it is not always an easy one. For some women, the anxiety can be reduced by going directly to the source of the problem and addressing the depression and hopelessness that causes much of the anxiety. Sometimes the best thing that these women can do is to focus on keeping their lives as positive as possible by engaging in relaxing activities.

For other women, prescription supplements to return the hormones to a balanced state can help to minimize the anxiety that occurs during menopause. In all cases, women who feel they are suffering the first signs of increased anxiety should consult their physician for treatment. The good news for women suffering from the effects of both panic attacks and menopause is that they are easier to treat than those involving any form of mental illness.