As Women Age, Anger Increases Internally but Becomes Less Visible

As women move through midlife, they tend to feel more anger but express it less, according to a recent study published in the journal Menopause,according to The Washington post.

The research draws on data from the Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study, which began in the early 1990s and followed 501 women aged 35 to 55. A subset of 271 women—mostly White, well-educated, employed, and married—were analyzed to explore links between anger, reproductive stage, and age.

The study found that while “state anger”—defined as temporary feelings of irritation or rage—increased with age, the visible expression of that anger declined. This pattern suggests that as women age, they become more skilled at managing and regulating their emotions. In particular, anger levels peaked during the late reproductive stage but became less aggressively expressed as participants neared menopause. Only one form of anger—"anger suppressed"—showed no connection to age.

These findings suggest that anger may serve a developmental role in midlife. As hormonal and psychological changes take place, women might become more practiced at processing and regulating emotional responses. Researchers hypothesize that this emotional regulation is not just a result of maturity, but possibly a learned adaptation to life’s increasing responsibilities and pressures during midlife.

Monica Christmas, MD, associate medical director of the Menopause Society, emphasized in a press release the importance of understanding the emotional impact of the menopause transition. “The mental health side of the menopause transition can have a significant effect on a woman’s personal and professional life,” she said. She stressed that educating women about potential mood changes and actively managing symptoms can improve overall well-being.

Researchers called for further study on how suppressed anger in aging women may relate to long-term health risks—especially given evidence linking chronic emotional suppression to cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure.

Understanding how anger evolves with age could offer important insights into both emotional health and physical outcomes for women navigating midlife and beyond.