Menopause and crying
If you’re becoming emotional in situations that never bothered you before, you might cry more during menopause. Even if it feels like you may have to invest in a tissue company, there are things you can do to find relief if you become extra tearful.
Crying spells definition
Crying spells can present in many different ways during menopause. Some experience tears spring up in short and sudden bursts with no identifiable trigger. For others, it can manifest as uncontrollable crying in short, intense bursts, where emotions bubble up out of nowhere and then pass.
Some also report more crying or increased emotional sensitivity when watching TV or movies or reading articles.
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How likely are crying spells during menopause?
- One study surveyed 675 women seven times during midlife (age 47 to 54) to track health symptoms. It found that 36.8% reported crying at age 47 compared to 20.8% at age 54
- Studies show that estrogen has a protective effect on the parts of the brain which are affected by depression. It is therefore thought that the hormonal changes that take place during menopause – specifically low estrogen levels – contribute to mood changes including crying, fluctuating mood, and depression. The negative effects of these hormonal changes can also be compounded by physical menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and poor sleep
- Your lifestyle choices, such as how often you exercise and your diet, can also affect your mood during menopause. Lack of exercise and a poor diet can lead to a lower level of endorphins (your body’s ‘feel-good’ chemicals) and sugar crashes, messing with your mood
- How much sleep you get and the quality of that sleep can also affect your likelihood of experiencing crying spells. For example, a prolonged period of disturbed or restless sleep can result in a low mood, poor thinking, and increased emotional vulnerability. Read more about menopause and fatigue
Read more about the stages of menopause.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF TEARFULNESS?
Weepiness
Uncontrollable crying
Mood swings
Increased emotional sensitivity
Tips to help with crying
Let it go
Crying can help to reduce stress, according to Medical News Today. Sitting with your feelings instead of bottling them up is a healthy decision and can do wonders for bolstering your emotional resilience.
Prioritize your sleep
How much sleep you get and the quality of that sleep is important. You may not feel properly rested without it and this can have a negative impact on your mental health, increasing emotional sensitivity and crying spells. Try to avoid eating, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and exercise before bed. Try to create a relaxing wind-down routine.
Read more about menopause and sleep.
Exercise regularly
There is extensive evidence that exercise can help improve mental health. Exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol while raising endorphins.
Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake
Caffeine and alcohol impact your nervous system, amplifying stress, and anxiety, destabilizing your overall emotional state, as well as causing sleep problems. Try decaffeinated or alcohol-free drinks.
Track your symptoms
When you’re going through menopause, it can be tricky to understand exactly what symptoms are affecting you and when. Apps like Stella are a great way to record symptoms and unpick your patterns and triggers.
Find space for your happiness
Menopause often comes when you’re facing a mountain of responsibilities and it can feel almost impossible to find time for yourself. Trying something new or joining a new club or class can give you some much-needed space to relax and find enjoyment.
CAN HORMONE THERAPY (HT) HELP?
Studies on taking HT to treat crying spells are currently inconclusive, but there is evidence that HT can help many symptoms associated with menopause, including mood changes.
HT is not suitable for everyone. Speak to your healthcare provider if you would like to find out more about the best treatment for you.
Read more on HT risks and benefits.
Crying spells and menopause FAQs
Crying spells occur as a result of the hormonal changes that take place during menopause, specifically declining estrogen levels. When estrogen decreases it can affect your mood, leading to crying (or even depression).
Some studies suggest that crying spells can have a beneficial self-soothing effect, but it is important to remember that feeling intense emotions frequently can leave you emotionally exhausted and feeling stressed. This can negatively affect your mood and have a domino effect on other areas, including your personal and professional life.
Experiencing symptoms related to crying spells – emotional exhaustion, mood swings, poor sleep, anxiety, and depression – can have an effect on your long-term health, including:
- Sleep issues
- Social isolation
- Addiction
- Weight gain and related concerns
- Complications of physical health conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure
Menopause can be a turbulent time for your mind and body. If you are experiencing prolonged low mood, anxiety, and mood swings, or your symptoms are worrying you, talk to your healthcare provider.
- British Menopause Society: The British Menopause Society response to the Department of Health and Social Care’s call for evidence to help inform the development of the government’s Women’s Health Strategy
- Gračanin A, Bylsma LM, Vingerhoets AJ. Is crying a self-soothing behavior? Front Psychol. 2014 May 28;5:502. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00502. PMID: 24904511; PMCID: PMC4035568.
- Healthline: Menopause mood swings
- Herson M, Kulkarni J. Hormonal Agents for the Treatment of Depression Associated with the Menopause. Drugs Aging. 2022 Aug;39(8):607-618. doi: 10.1007/s40266-022-00962-x. Epub 2022 Jul 30. PMID: 35908135; PMCID: PMC9355926.
- Medical News Today: What causes mood swings during menopause?
- Mishra GD, Kuh D. Health symptoms during midlife in relation to menopausal transition: British prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2012 Feb 8;344:e402. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e402. PMID: 22318435; PMCID: PMC3275131.
- Shafir T, Love T, Berent-Spillson A, Persad CC, Wang H, Reame NK, Frey KA, Zubieta JK, Smith YR. Postmenopausal hormone use impact on emotion processing circuitry. Behav Brain Res. 2012 Jan 1;226(1):147-53. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.09.012. Epub 2011 Sep 14. PMID: 21930160; PMCID: PMC3201705.
- The North American Menopause Society: Depression, Mood Swings, Anxiety
- Web MD: The Emotional Roller Coaster of Menopause
