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Early Menopause & Depression

Most women will enter menopause when they reach their early to mid-50s, although some women may not begin menopause until their late 50s or possibly even their 60s. Some women, however, begin menopause much earlier; it may begin in their late 30s or early 40s, or in some extreme cases may even begin as early as their 20s. Depression can be associated with menopause at any age, but when menopause starts significantly early, the likelihood of depression can increase significantly.

  1. Causes of Premature Menopause

    • Menopause can start early due to several different factors. Some illnesses can cause women to begin menopause early, and it can also begin prematurely as a result of drug abuse, medical procedures or surgeries. Genetics and illness may contribute to early menopause by causing hormone changes, interfering with the proper functioning of the ovaries or causing the immune system to begin attacking eggs as they are released. Surgical removal of the ovaries and/or uterus in order to treat certain medical conditions can also cause hormonal imbalances that can trigger menopause early. Extreme athleticism, steroid use and certain lifestyle factors can also cause the early onset of menopause.

    Symptoms of Menopause Onset

    • Symptoms of menopause are fairly universal regardless of the age of onset. Mood swings are common as hormone levels drop and rise. Other symptoms common at the onset of menopause include headaches, fatigue, hot flashes, muscle pain and night sweats. Cognitively, women may experience anxiety and forgetfulness. Symptoms may be more severe in women who experience premature menopause, as their hormone levels can drop much faster than women who experience menopause at an older age.

    Health Issues

    • As with women who begin menopause at an older age, women who begin menopause prematurely experience huge drops in female hormones such as estrogen. This puts them at a higher risk for medical conditions such as osteoporosis, the formation of cataracts, and cancers of the colon and ovaries. Menopausal women are also more likely to experience periodontal disease and tooth loss.

    Early Menopause and Depression

    • Depression occurs during menopause as a result of fluctuating hormones in a woman's body, although the severity and type of depression that can occur will differ depending on the woman's distinct body chemistry. However, depression is likely to be much more severe in a woman suffering from premature menopause, because she is not only experiencing a more severe drop in hormones than she would if she entered menopause later in life but she is also having to deal with a condition that is generally associated with older women. The depression may be fueled by denial and doubt as to whether the woman is actually entering menopause, and it may be much more severe if the woman had been hoping to have children before menopause began.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for premature menopause can consist of hormone replacement therapy, which helps balance fluctuating hormone levels in the body. Depression associated with early menopause may be helped at least somewhat by hormone replacement therapy, although talk therapy, counselling or the use of prescription medication may also be needed to combat severe menopause-related depression.

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