Lost Motivation During Menopause? Here's How to Get It Back
Ever had one of those days when motivation just feels... gone? Especially during menopause, when everything seems harder than it used to be?
Maybe you’ve caught yourself:
Letting the lack of drive win, only to spend hours feeling guilty for not getting anything done.
Pushing through a task half-heartedly, wondering why it’s so hard.
Turning to food, hoping it’ll somehow “fix” your energy levels.
If this hits close to home, you’re not alone. For years, I thought my own lack of motivation was a personality flaw—a weakness that I just couldn’t overcome. Watching others breeze through their to-do lists only made me feel worse.
But when I started studying nutrition, I realised something life-changing: motivation isn’t just about willpower. It’s deeply connected to your biology and brain chemistry. And menopause? It shakes all of that up.
The Surprising Role of Dopamine
Here’s the science: motivation is linked to dopamine, a brain chemical that’s all about drive and reward. It’s what makes some people seem naturally driven while others struggle to get going.
During menopause, this connection becomes even more important. Why? Because falling hormone levels—especially oestrogen—can disrupt dopamine production (1). This can set off a frustrating cycle:
Low motivation makes it harder to exercise or eat well.
Your brain craves quick rewards, leading to cravings for sugary or comfort foods.
Giving in to those cravings makes it harder to achieve your health goals.
Sound familiar? I’ve seen this play out with so many clients in my practice. But here’s the good news: there’s a way to break the cycle.
Low Dopamine:
Feeling apathetic or fatigued
Struggling with cravings or addictive behaviours
Low mood or depression
Trouble staying focused or motivated
High Dopamine:
Feeling agitated or overly hyper
Struggling with insomnia
Feeling “on edge” with high stress
During menopause, dopamine levels often dip, making it harder to stay motivated. And if you have ADHD, the struggle can feel even more intense, as both conditions affect focus and drive.
How Oestrogen Plays a Part
The drop in oestrogen during menopause doesn’t just cause hot flashes—it directly affects dopamine levels too. Research shows that lower oestrogen can lead to lower dopamine production, which may explain those days when getting anything done feels like climbing a mountain.
(2)
Signs Your Dopamine Levels May Be Off
Ever wondered why you feel the way you do? Here are some common symptoms of both low and high dopamine:
My Approach: Nutrition and Motivation
In my practice, I go beyond simply providing information. My goal is to empower women to take actionable steps that foster lasting change. Through personalised nutritional plans and coaching, I help you:
Boost and stabilise your dopamine levels; elevating motivation and feel good pathways.
Build sustainable habits to support your hormonal health.
Regain energy and motivation to achieve your goals.
I utilise the DUTCH test as The DUTCH test measures neurotransmitter chemical messenger residues as part of its organic acid tests (OATs):
What it measures
The DUTCH test measures the urine metabolites (residues) of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
Why it's important
Measuring neurotransmitters directly is difficult because they are unstable. However, the scientific literature supports the use of urine metabolites as a good representation of overall neurotransmitter levels in the body (3). When used in conduction with symptoms that align with these levels.
How it fits into the DUTCH test
The DUTCH test also measures hormones, nutrients, and markers of inflammation. The hormones included in the test can directly alter some of the neurotransmitter metabolites (the substances left after the neurotransmitter has been used), providing a more comprehensive picture of hormone health.
Real-Life Results
Let me share a story of one of my clients. When she came to me, her motivation was at rock bottom. She felt stuck—too tired to make changes but frustrated by her cravings, stress, and lack of progress.
After using the DUTCH test, we discovered she had imbalances in both her adrenal function and dopamine levels. By supporting her adrenal health with the right nutrients and stress-management techniques, everything began to shift:
She had more energy to focus on her goals.
Her cravings reduced, leading to better blood sugar control and fewer hot flashes.
She regained clarity and confidence, learning how to tune into her body and work with it, not against it (4).
Now, she’s thriving—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.
The DUTCH test is a urine test that can be done at home or at work. The test requires collecting urine samples four times over a 24-hour period
Take the First Step
If any of this resonates with you, let’s talk. Book now for a free “Lost motivation in menopause” nutritional chat, where we can discuss your unique needs and challenges. Plus, you can take advantage of our special hormonal packages, available now through the end of January.
Take charge of your health and embrace the changes that will keep you motivated, energised, and thriving.
Start your journey today. Book your “Lost motivation in menopause” consultation here
1. Kim D Il, Park YM. Effects of Menopause on Physical Activity and Dopamine Signaling in Women. Iran J Public Health. 2022;51(10):2372–4.
2. Barth C, Villringer A, Sacher J. Sex hormones affect neurotransmitters and shape the adult female brain during hormonal transition periods. Front Neurosci. 2015;9(FEB):1–20.
3. Marc DT, Ailts JW, Campeau DCA, Bull MJ, Olson KL. Neurotransmitters excreted in the urine as biomarkers of nervous system activity: Validity and clinical applicability. Neurosci Biobehav Rev [Internet]. 2011;35(3):635–44. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.07.007
4. Dumas1 JA, , Jenna A. Makarewicz1, Janice Bunn2, Joshua Nickerson3 and E, McGee4. Dopamine-Dependent Cognitive Processes after Menopause: The Relationship between COMT Genotype, Estradiol, and Working Memory. Physiol Behav. 201AD;