We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Connection Between Menopause and Depression?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,680
Share

The link between menopause and depression isn’t fully understood. There are a number of theories posited as to why women in perimenopause and true menopause are at higher risk for depressive illness. It’s estimated that more than 10% of women develop depression during this time. This condition may be due to one or more of the following: decline in estrogen and progestin levels, increased stress of undergoing uncomfortable menopausal symptoms, the significance of the change that menopause represents, and cessation of the monthly cycle.

A connection between menopause and depression that is often made is that declining female hormones influence the way the brain produces neurotransmitters like serotonin. This can lead to dysregulation in mood, and might account for the very common symptom of sudden shifts in mood that most women undergoing menopause experience. It’s suggested that, in some cases, ability to produce helpful neurotransmitters is significantly impaired by hormonal shifts, and this can cause real depression.

Ostensibly, this theory sounds plausible, but there are a few problems with it. Most notably, treating women with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) doesn’t usually fully resolve depression, and other treatments like antidepressants are still typically needed. Additionally, many women now avoid HRT because it elevates risk for cancer.

Another suggestion is that menopause and depression occur together because the symptoms of menopause in total are difficult to deal with. Mood changes, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and others can be simply too much and result in feelings of hopelessness. From a physiological perspective, the poor sleep many women experience may create a connection. Medical researchers are clearly establishing that insomnia or simply reduced levels of sleep greatly increases risk for depression.

Some doctors believe that the link between menopause and depression is due to the profound change that the cessation of menstruation represents. It is the end of the childbearing years — a time of great transition. This can bring on identity or existential crises, which could fuel a depressive episode.

An additional explanation is that many women have partly defined their lives around their menstrual cycles. Sadness, grief, or a sense of being out of step might occur, as this marker of time, this essential rhythm of womanhood, slips away. Alternately, experts in this area may argue there are so many interrelated elements between menopause and depression that it’s impossible to fully determine how one impacts the others.

Some women have greater risks for developing depression during menopause. A few risk factors are high stress lives, raising small children, or previous mood disorder problems. Understanding an elevated risk might help women undergoing menopause better recognize symptoms of depression. Getting help sooner may lead to quicker resolution of the illness.

Women should get help immediately if they feel hopeless or suicidal. There is no reason to wait until symptoms are severe, and those of sadness, negative thoughts, difficulty controlling emotions, headaches, and poor sleep shouldn’t be ignored. Depression, at any time of life, can frequently be effectively treated with medication and psychotherapy.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-the-connection-between-menopause-and-depression.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.