Menopause and Depression
During Menopause women often feel frustrated with their bodies, issues and symptoms associated with this life change and also sad at the loss of their ability to bear or carry children any longer. Although most women will feel some periods of sadness during menopause and adjust to it, others will develop depression and may need to be treated for it.
Depression is a serious disease that is often caused by drops in hormones found in the brain such as serotonin. Depression symptoms such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness and melancholy occur and last for a period longer than two weeks. Effects of such depression could include physical ailments, isolation and in extreme cases suicide.
Depression Related to Menopause
Menopause or perimenopause (the weeks leading up to menopause) often are responsible for creating sadness leading to depression during this period of a woman’s life. In fact between 8 and 10% of woman develop this type of depression just before or during menopause.
There are several theories that attempt to explain the reason for this one of them asserts that the many stressors that coincide with the symptoms of menopause trigger the depression. Women already overburdened with family, work, finances, friends and social commitments suddenly forced to deal with all the symptoms and unpleasant affects of menopause…just one straw too many.
A second theory for menopause related depression links menopause depression with the fluctuations of hormones in a woman’s body. Levels of estrogen, progesterone and androgen, all linked to mood disorders are likely to drop at this time triggering the sadness and possible depression.
Risk Factors for Menopause Related Depression
Several risk factors should be considered and kept in mind during menopause as it relates to depression:
- History of mood disorders- woman who have had past history of depression especially in their twenties should be aware that it is more likely to reoccur during menopause
- Surgical menopause-Surgery and especially menopause surgery can cause the drop of levels of estrogen. The stress and anxiety of the actual operation can contribute to the risk factor as well
- Other factors may include women who smoke, have young children or are already under stress
- Recommended Treatments for Women Experiencing Depression Relate to Menopause
Like any other type of depression menopause depression should not be lightly dismissed. If a woman is feeling depressed during menopause and experiencing the symptoms of depression they should seek help and treatment immediately. It is not something you have to go through alone.
Estrogen Therapy: This fairly new therapy involves taking oral doses of estrogen supplements. Studies have shown that 80% of woman using estrogen supplements have found a marked positive change in their moods. This treatment may be combined with antidepressants
Antidepressants: There are a variety of antidepressants on the market today and one of the most commonly used and very effective is selected serotonin reuptake inhibitors which increase the amount of mood controlling serotonin hormones in the body
Psychotherapy: when administered by psychiatrists, psychologists or trained social workers and counselors this has also proven an effective means of treatment and can also be combined with estrogen treatments and antidepressants.
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