07/11/2023 | Press release | Archived content
Key takeaways:
Mood symptoms are common during menopause, but most people going through menopause don't develop major depressive disorder.
Menopause is a risk factor for major depression, along with prior depression, a family history of depression, major life changes, and more.
Depression is treatable. And when it's related to menopause, there may be additional treatment options.
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when periods slow down and stop. There are many physical and hormonal changes during this time that can affect mood. Some common symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and insomnia, can also affect mood. Read on to learn about the links between menopause and depression, along with tips for prevention and treatment.
It can. But many women go through menopause with no problems at all. After all, menopause is a normal life transition - not a medical condition.
But there's evidence that some women may be at greater risk of clinical depression in the years before, during, and after menopause. Experts don't know exactly why this is. Mood changes and depression during menopause may be connected to many different things. Let's take a closer look.
During menopause, the body starts to make less progesterone and estrogen. These are hormones that the ovaries make. They control your menstrual cycle and have many different jobs in your body, too.
Anxiety, low mood, and irritability can occur as levels of these hormones start to go down during menopause. And some people may be especially sensitive to these hormone changes, putting them at higher risk for depression.
Many people have problems sleeping during menopause. This may be because hormonal changes can cause night sweats and insomnia. And not sleeping well can cause or worsen mental health problems like anxiety or depression.
Stressful life events during menopause can put you at risk for major depression. Common problems include job loss, divorce, the death of a loved one, or caring for aging parents. Health conditions - like cancer, thyroid problems, and chronic pain - are also linked to depression.
A person's risk of depression during menopause more than doubles if they have had depression before. But not everyone going through menopause experiences depression - in fact, most women don't. However, mood changes like anxiety, irritability, and low mood during menopause are very common.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental health condition that can make you feel sad and depressed. It can also affect your thinking and behavior. To be diagnosed with depression, you need to have at least one of these two symptoms:
Feeling depressed, sad, hopeless, or empty most of the time
Losing interest or enjoyment in almost all activities
People with MDD also have some, or all, of the following symptoms:
Feeling irritable
Having problems sleeping at night
Sleeping a lot during the day
Feeling guilty or worthless
Having appetite changes
Feeling tired or having low energy
Having trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
Feeling like you're moving very slowly
Feeling physically restless
Thinking about death or suicide
Depression may be diagnosed when these symptoms occur most days and persist for more than 2 weeks.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you're not alone and help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
Yes. For most people, menopause happens naturally in their 40s or 50s.
But hormonal changes can start much earlier - as much as a decade before menopause. This time period before menopause is called perimenopause.
During perimenopause, hormone levels begin to go down. You still get a period, but it might be lighter or more irregular. Many people also start to have menopause symptoms during this time, including mood swings.
And just like during menopause, your risk of depression goes up during perimenopause. In fact, there's even some evidence that your risk for MDD is at its highest toward the end of perimenopause.
If you're diagnosed with major depressive disorder during menopause, take heart: There are many good treatments that can help. These include:
Antidepressant medications
Lifestyle changes
The best medication for menopause-related depression depends on many factors. It's a good idea to talk with your provider about your medication options.
Medications that may be used to treat menopause-related depression include:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as escitalopram (Lexapro) or paroxetine (Paxil, Brisdelle)
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as venlafaxine (Effexor) or desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
Hormone replacement with estrogen (especially if you have other symptoms related to menopause)
Some of these medications can also help with other menopause symptoms, like hot flashes, sleep problems, and anxiety.
Some people prefer to avoid prescription medications for depressive symptoms and instead try vitamins or supplements. While there's limited research on how effective vitamins and supplements are, some studies suggest possible benefits from black cohosh or St. John's wort.
As menopause approaches, there may be some steps you can take to help your mental health and balance your mood. Here are some things that can help with mood swings and depression:
Regular exercise
Mindfulness practice
Quality sleep
Avoiding tobacco and alcohol
But keep in mind: Though these strategies can be helpful, they aren't always enough to overcome a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. For many people, lifestyle changes work especially well when combined with medication or therapy.
It's never too early to talk with your healthcare provider about your menopause symptoms or mood concerns. As you get closer to menopause, it's a good idea to start reviewing symptoms to look out for and treatment options for the future. If mood symptoms become frequent and begin to affect your day-to-day life, make sure to discuss this with your provider.
Mood changes during menopause are very common. This can be related to hormonal shifts as well as other life circumstances during this time. There are many treatment options for menopause-related depression, including lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication. It's never too early or too late to have a conversation with your healthcare provider.
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