Depression is a mental health condition that reveals itself through persistent and elongated feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Depression can come in many different forms and can be a debilitating, deadly mental illness when not treated properly. While depression can affect anyone regardless of age and gender, women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, especially when they start to go through menopause.
Menopausal Depression
Menopausal Depression is the increase in severity or development of depression in women who are starting to go through menopause. The link between depression and menopause is quite complex and extensive. Perimenopause, menopause, and the menstrual cycle are all associated with major hormonal changes and estrogen imbalances within a woman’s body. This imbalance can lead to mental health issues, mood disturbances, and painful physical symptoms. Most of these symptoms develop during the first stage of menopause, called perimenopause.
Perimenopause Symptoms
This is usually the phase women talk about the most when discussing menopause, as it is the phase associated with the most changes and symptoms. Perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause as a woman’s body starts experiencing hormonal changes that cause different physical and emotional irregularities. During this period, women may experience fluctuations in hormone levels, causing mood swings, irritability, and depression. They can also undergo hot flashes, night sweats, chills, and many other symptoms.
Hot flashes are one of the main physical problems of perimenopause and this is most likely to occur when women sleep. Hot flashes will periodically wake someone up and this constant sleep influx can manifest into insomnia. Lack of sleep can increase the likelihood of developing depression by 10 times.
Why Does it Happen?
Researchers believe hormonal changes during stages of menopause can contribute to depression development in some women. As women enter perimenopause, their menstrual cycles become extremely irregular, i.e. shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter. These changes in the menstrual cycle are caused by fluctuating levels of estrogen. These levels of estrogen also influence serotonin levels in the brain. Estrogen plays a critical role in regulating mood, and declining levels of this hormone can impair brain chemistry and cause mood disturbances. When serotonin levels drop, this causes an increase in sadness, anxiety, and fatigue. These are all major symptoms of depression.
External Factors
Besides hormonal and physical changes, significant life changes can exacerbate the effects of menopause. Some women experience marked alterations in their family dynamics, such as marital problems, caring for aging parents, or children leaving home. Such changes can be overwhelming and stressful, triggering depression or increased anxiety. This then makes it even harder to deal with normal life stressors when you are also dealing with mental health issues. Thus, it makes sense that depression isn’t an uncommon development when women go through menopause. Also, keep in mind that women with a history of depression or other mental health conditions also stand a higher risk of developing menopause depression.
Menopause and Anxiety
Lifestyle Changes
Embracing regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep can help manage menopause depression. Exercising regularly increases the production of endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. Doing moderately intense exercise for at least 30 minutes daily can yield desirable results in both your physical and mental health. It is also useful to opt for stress reduction techniques like yoga or meditation.
Counseling or Therapy
Therapy provides an open and supportive environment to explore different emotions and develop coping mechanisms to manage mental health concerns. This could look like joining a support group for those with depression or attending individual therapy. Check out some free therapy options or contact your insurance provider to see about financial help if that is a concern when beginning your therapy journey.
Alternative Therapies
Natural remedies like acupuncture or herbal supplements can also offer relief. Acupuncture uses tiny needles to activate the body’s natural healing process. Individuals could also use herbal supplements to reduce depressive or anxious symptoms. However, please consult with your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you are already taking antidepressants.
Hormone Therapy
This treatment usually involves taking estrogen or progesterone to relieve menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Hormone therapy is also ideal for improving mood or reducing depression risk in some women. However, the treatment can be unsuitable for some due to the possible increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, and blood clots. If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, contact your doctor about the possibility of hormone replacements.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are commonly used to treat depression as they help to regulate brain chemistry and improve your mood. Since estrogen and consequently serotonin levels fluctuate during menopause, antidepressant medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are an excellent option. SSRIs can minimize depressive symptoms by stabilizing serotonin levels in the brain.
Know When to Seek Help
If you are experiencing depression symptoms during perimenopause and it significantly affects your well-being, consider seeking help from a healthcare professional. With the right treatment and support, you can manage depression during menopause and better your overall quality of life. A psychiatrist or a therapist will be essential and can help minimize side-effects and as well as aid with keeping a healthy lifestyle routine.
References:
MEDvidi
Can Menopause Cause Depression? | Johns Hopkins Medicine
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