Are Menopause and Depression Making You Miserable?

Depression is a biologically based disease typically caused by an imbalance or fluctuation of hormones in the brain. As women begin to experience signs and symptoms of menopause, about 10-15% of the time depression also sets in.

Depression is characterized by a prolonged melancholic or hopeless mood and consistent disinterest or feelings of apathy toward previously pleasurable activities. Other symptoms include:

• Anxiety


• Lack of motivation


• Inability to concentrate


• Frequent bouts of crying


• Insomnia or sleeping too much


• Significant weight gain or loss


• Feelings of despair


• Suicidal thoughts


• Preoccupation with death

Effect of Symptoms, or Symptom Itself?

The exact relationship between menopause and depression is unclear. It is possible the physical and emotional stress women begin to experience during perimenopause brings about depression. The process of aging and the inability to bear children in the future can be a source of sadness or distress for many women. Hot flashes, headaches, fatigue and other symptoms of menopause can also cause anxiety and stress. Depression may be a reaction to both the implications of the onset of menopause and its symptoms combined.

Alternatively, it is thought that women may experience depression as a result of the fluctuating hormone levels menopause is characterized by. In addition to regulating reproductive processes, it is believed that estrogen, progesterone and other hormones may also affect mood. In particular, a drop in estrogen may contribute to feelings of sadness or melancholia. Clearly, many of the symptoms of menopause – anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue, for example – parallel as symptoms of depression, suggesting the possibility of a cause and effect relationship between the two.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Regardless of the exact cause, women experiencing depression must seek medical help for treatment. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis of depression and provide the treatments that can help alleviate symptoms. Although some symptoms of menopause are tolerable enough that women may not seek treatment for their relief, depression is a serious matter than requires immediate attention. Waiting to seek help only prolongs or intensifies suffering. Unlike a "blue" mood, depression does not lift on its own.

There are many avenues of treatment available for treating depression. Lifestyle modifications are often recommended and can be a very important part of treatment. Eating well-balanced meals, getting adequate exercise, and avoiding the use of alcohol or drugs can all contribute to a faster, more comprehensive recovery. Antidepressants may help tackle some of the biological causes of depression, while psychotherapy can address some of the mental and emotional ones. For women experiencing symptoms of both menopause and depression, hormone replacement therapy might be the best treatment option.

Unlike menopause, depression is not something all women must go through, nor is it a transitional phase or "just another symptom." Whatever the cause and regardless of the prescribed treatment, women should always take recovery from depression seriously and make a lifelong commitment to mental health.