A July 2025 study in Menopause shows that many women experience a notable drop in anger through midlife. The findings challenge the stereotype of menopause as mood chaos and offer Thai healthcare professionals a clearer path to support women in transition.
In Thailand, menopause and perimenopause are often understood through physical symptoms—hot flashes, sleep disruption, and irregular periods. The new study shifts focus to emotional changes, indicating that anger tends to lessen with age during midlife. Data came from more than 500 women aged 35 to 55 who participated in the Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study. The exception is anger that is suppressed or bottled up, which remains constant across age and menopausal status.
This research sits within a broader discussion of women’s cardiovascular and mental health. Earlier work linked frequent anger with higher blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease in midlife women. Mechanisms like changes in arterial walls have been associated with higher anger scores, signaling cardiovascular risk. Mood patterns also influence menopause-related mental health, especially when hormone therapy is used to treat other menopausal symptoms.
For Thai readers, the study offers reassurance that aging can bring greater emotion regulation rather than chaos. Researchers note that chronological age correlates with various anger measures, all of which tend to decline with age, while anger suppression does not follow this pattern. Reproductive aging also plays a role, with reduced anger after late reproductive years, suggesting midlife may bring improved emotional balance.
Clinicians emphasize implications for women’s health across midlife. The Thai Menopause Society cautions that mood changes during menopause can affect daily life, relationships, and work. Understanding these changes and managing mood symptoms can improve quality of life.
culturally, Thai audiences balance social harmony with emotional openness. Traditional Thai values emphasize composure, which can protect well-being but may discourage seeking help for suppressed anger. Health educators in Thailand should consider programs addressing both visible mood swings and silent emotional build-up. Therapeutic groups, mindfulness practices aligned with Buddhist traditions, and community support circles have shown promise in increasing emotional awareness and providing safe spaces for discussion.
The study’s findings have implications for families and workplaces as well. Partners, children, and colleagues can benefit from a better understanding of mood changes during menopause. Employers can support employees by recognizing menopause as a broader health issue and offering mental health resources at work.
Limitations include the study’s U.S. population, underscoring the need for Thai-specific research on how social norms, family structures, and public health education influence anger and aging. Researchers also call for exploring interventions to help women express and process bottled-up emotions safely.
Looking ahead, experts anticipate growing demand for holistic midlife health resources in Thailand. As longevity rises and conversations about mental health expand, Thai health institutions could tailor campaigns to highlight the positive aspects of the midlife mood shift. Encouraging open dialogue about menopause, emotional health, and cardiovascular risk will be crucial in clinical settings and at home.
Practical steps for Thai women approaching midlife include regular check-ins with a healthcare professional who understands menopause and mood health. Practices that promote emotional openness—such as meditation, journaling, or trusted discussion groups—can help, while staying alert to signs of suppressed anger that may express as tension or sleep problems.
Self-education remains valuable. Reliable information is available through national health agencies and local women’s health organizations. Families and communities play a vital role in supporting honest conversations about midlife changes, turning this stage into one of growing peace, wisdom, and resilience.
In sum, the study offers a hopeful message: for many women, anger tends to ease with age, and midlife can bring greater calm. Thai cultural attitudes toward menopause and emotional health will shape how widely this positive narrative takes hold.