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Menopause Depression Symptoms

Menopause is definitely a time of change, even if the change occurs gradually. For some women it is a welcome transition into a life that no longer includes PMS and menstrual cycles. For others it may be a sad time, particularly if they enter menopause prematurely and had hoped to have a child. Even for those who have had children and are tired of the monthly menstrual cycle and its attendant problems menopause may bring with it a sense of getting older and no longer being in the prime of one's life.
A lot goes on in a woman's body during perimenopause and menopause. Sometimes it's too much physically and emotionally for a woman and she falls victim to depression.

  1. The Crunch Generation

    • Between 8 and 15 percent of women will experience some form of depression during "the change," and it's most likely that depression will hit in the early stages of this transition, called perimenopause, according to epigee.org. There are several theories as to why depression strikes menopausal women, including stress brought on by simultaneously caring for children and elderly parents. In addition, many women also have to contend with job-related stress. Add hot flashes, night sweats and irritability and you've got the makings of depression.

    Hormones

    • Menopause depression may also be caused by fluctuating levels of hormones in a woman's body as estrogen levels wane and testosterone (androgens) ramps up. She may no longer be producing progesterone, the peace-maker hormone, because she is no longer ovulating. All of these hormones, particularly estrogen, are linked to the brain, so when estrogen drops, some women experience mood swings, depression, sadness and hopelessness.

    Myriad of Symptoms

    • There are many symptoms that can accompany menopause, according to project-aware.com, including crying jags, difficulty sleeping, night sweats, hot flashes, cold flashes, a clammy feeling, irregular heartbeat, irregular menstrual periods that may be heavier than normal, dry vagina, loss of libido, memory lapses, anxiety, dread, breast tenderness, aching joints, sore muscles and incontinence---and those are just a few of the symptoms.

    And Even More

    • Additional symptoms include bloating, gastrointestinal distress and pain, nausea, flatulence, indigestion, exacerbation of pre-existing physical problems, weight gain, hair loss, increase in facial and body hair, thinning hair, change in body odor, tingling in the extremities, bleeding gums, lightheadedness, loss of balance, burning sensation in the roof of the mouth, bad breath, osteoporosis, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), cracking and softening of the nails and an electric-shock sensation in the head and under the skin.

    Get Help

    • Clevelandclinic.org recommends that menopause depression be treated with psychotherapy and/or antidepressant-drug therapy.

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