Anxiety
One of the most distressing of the emotions reported by women at menopause is anxiety, which is often described as a feeling of impending doom. In the case of Joan, anxiety attacks became so severe around the time of her menopause that she withdrew from most of her former activities outside the home. Her state of anxiety was reduced markedly by a program of vigorous physical activity (exercising to loud music), which she started in her own home before joining the aerobics class at her local recreation centre.
Evening primrose oil tablets, St John’s wort, oatstraw and Anemone pulsatilla are often advocated by herbal therapists and naturopaths for women disturbed by anxiety and panic attacks. You will need to consult such therapists for dosages.
Headaches
Biofeedback training has been used with some success in patients with migraine headaches. Migraines around menopause have also been treated with the prescription medication clonidine, in lower doses than when it is used to treat blood pressure problems. The results of studies to assess symptom relief have been conflicting, and side effects may include dizzy spells, visual disturbances, and – astonishingly – headaches.
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