Menopause: mood and sleep
Perimenopause and the first years after the last period are a time when some women feel low, anxious or irritable, especially those who had depression before. Hot flashes and night waking can make mood worse. In 2024, 21% of US women had trouble staying asleep most days, compared with 15% of men.
What helps: Track symptoms and bring the list to a clinician. Hormone therapy, newer non-hormonal pills and CBT are all proven options. If sadness lasts two weeks or more, get checked for depression.
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Sources: The Menopause Society, Mental health · NICE NG23, Menopause recommendations · CDC/NCHS Data Brief 559, Apr 2026
Men's midlife mental health
US men aged 45 to 64 have one of the highest suicide rates of any group, and in 2024 their rate did not fall while most others did. Depression in men can show up as anger, irritability, risk-taking, heavy drinking or unexplained aches, and men are less likely to get treatment.
What helps: If you notice anger, drinking or pulling away from people, talk to a doctor. In a crisis, call or text 988.
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Sources: CDC/NCHS Data Brief 572, Sep 2026 · NIMH, Men and mental health
Caregiving and the sandwich generation
About 63 million Americans, roughly 1 in 4 adults, were family caregivers in 2025, 20 million more than in 2015. Nearly 1 in 3 also raise children, about 1 in 4 feel isolated, and they spend about $7,200 a year of their own money on care.
What helps: Ask for respite care, share tasks in writing, and keep your own doctor visits and sleep.
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Sources: AARP/NAC, Caregiving in the US 2025
Work, burnout and job loss
Peak work years can bring exhaustion, cynicism and a sense of falling behind, the three signs of burnout. Depression and anxiety cost about 12 billion lost workdays a year worldwide, and job or money loss is a known suicide risk factor.
What helps: Watch for burnout signs early, set clear limits, and use your employer's assistance program. After a job loss, keep a daily routine and stay in touch with people.
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Sources: WHO, Burn-out (ICD-11) · WHO/ILO on mental health at work, 2022 · CDC, Suicide risk and protective factors
Sleep and insomnia
Short sleep peaks in midlife: in 2024, 35% of US adults aged 50 to 64 slept less than 7 hours, the highest of any age group, and 22% had trouble staying asleep. Poor sleep and low mood tend to feed each other.
What helps: Keep the same wake-up time every day, limit alcohol and late caffeine, and ask about CBT for insomnia, the first-choice treatment.
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Sources: CDC/NCHS Data Brief 559, Apr 2026
Alcohol in midlife
Deaths from excessive drinking rose 29% in the US between 2016-17 and 2020-21, faster in women than in men, and rates are highest in middle and later life. The Surgeon General's 2025 advisory links alcohol to at least 7 cancers, including breast cancer.
What helps: Count your drinks for two weeks and try alcohol-free days. The full alcohol check shows where you stand.
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Sources: CDC MMWR, Feb 2024 (deaths from excessive drinking) · U.S. Surgeon General, Alcohol and cancer risk advisory
Heart, brain and mood
Long-term depression, anxiety and stress raise heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormones, and a heart attack or stroke can in turn trigger depression. In a large US study of adults aged 40 to 79, people with major depression had a higher 10-year heart disease risk.
What helps: Get checked for depression after any heart event. Treating mood makes it easier to keep up exercise, medicines and quitting smoking.
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Sources: CDC, Heart disease and mental health · Barger & Struve, Prev Chronic Dis 2022
Lowering dementia risk starts in midlife
The 2024 Lancet Commission says nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by tackling 14 risk factors. Many matter most in midlife, including hearing loss and high LDL cholesterol (about 7% of cases each), high blood pressure, inactivity, depression, heavy drinking and isolation.
What helps: Get your hearing and eyes checked and use hearing aids if needed. Keep blood pressure and cholesterol in range from your 40s, and stay active and connected.
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Sources: UCL news on the 2024 Lancet Commission · Livingston et al., Lancet 2024 (record)
Divorce, empty nest and loneliness
Divorce after 50 doubled from 1990 to 2010 and nearly 40% of people who divorce are now 50 or older. Children leaving home, separation or loss of friends can bring loneliness, which the WHO links to about 871,000 deaths a year worldwide.
What helps: Make one small contact every week, such as a call, a club or volunteering. Counseling can help through separation and other big changes.
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Sources: BGSU NCFMR, Gray divorce profile, 2024 · WHO Commission on Social Connection, 2025
Chronic pain and mood
In 2023, 29% of US adults aged 45 to 64 had chronic pain, and for 11% it limited daily life or work. Chronic pain often comes with depression and anxiety, and treating both together works better.
What helps: Ask about physical therapy, CBT for pain and a depression check.
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Sources: CDC/NCHS Data Brief 518, Nov 2024
New studies, policies and reports, newest first. Facts link to the original source.
September 23, 2026
US suicide deaths fell in 2024, but not for middle-aged men
The overall rate fell to 13.7 per 100,000, and rates dropped for women aged 25 and older. For men aged 45 to 64 the rate did not change significantly. Help is available any time at 988.
CDC/NCHS Data Brief 572
February 12, 2026
Hormone therapy labels lose most of their 'black box' warnings
Starting in November 2025, the FDA removed boxed-warning statements about heart disease, breast cancer and probable dementia from menopausal hormone therapy labels; the first six updated labels were approved in February 2026, and others follow product by product. The endometrial cancer warning stays for estrogen-alone products in women with a uterus. Experts still advise an individual review of risks.
FDA press announcement · HHS fact sheet, Nov 2025 · The Menopause Society response
January 13, 2026
FDA: no increased suicide risk from GLP-1 weight-loss drugs
After reviewing 91 trials and data on more than 2 million people, the FDA asked to remove the suicidal-thoughts warning from Wegovy, Saxenda and Zepbound labels. Patients should still report new or worsening mood changes.
FDA drug safety communication
October 24, 2025
A second non-hormonal pill for hot flashes is approved
Elinzanetant (Lynkuet), taken once at bedtime, was approved in the US for moderate to severe hot flashes. It can cause sleepiness, so people should not drive until they know how it affects them, and liver tests are advised.
Bayer release · FDA label (PDF)
July 24, 2025
63 million family caregivers in the US
That is 20 million more than in 2015. Nearly half have had a major financial impact, and nearly 1 in 4 give 40 or more hours of care a week.
AARP press release
May 16, 2025
First blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer's is cleared
It is for adults 55 and older who already have memory symptoms and see a specialist. It is not a screening test for people without symptoms and does not predict future dementia.
FDA press announcement
February 12, 2025
Small trial: semaglutide reduced drinking
In 48 adults with alcohol use disorder, low-dose semaglutide cut drinks per drinking day and craving over 9 weeks. It is an early, small study, and the drug is not approved for this use.
Hendershot et al., JAMA Psychiatry 2025
July 31, 2024
Lancet Commission: nearly half of dementia could be prevented or delayed
The 2024 update added two risk factors, high LDL cholesterol from midlife and untreated vision loss, for a total of 14.
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