Menopause and Depression
Once you reach a menopause, you’ll understant that this is a life changing event that will affect all spheres of your life.
One of the most ordinary frustrating symptom of menopause is depression. It’s very very important to underline that this is not the occasional feeling of sadness that some female may experience due to some sad thoughts. Depression is a serious and in some cases likely life threatening side effect of menopause.
No doubt that depression affects many people all over the world. It is typically caused by drops in levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is the main hormone in the brain that gives a general feeling of being okay in life.
A person in depression feels strong feelings of melancholy, sadness and hopelessness. Depression is diagnosed when a person experiences these feelings for more than 2 weeks at a time
Depression in female caused by menopause happens quite frequently. Some studies report that around 15% of menopausal female experience depression to some degree. Menopausal depression typically takes it first toll during perimenopause. This is the first stage of menopause and is marked by symptoms such as spotting, irregular periods, hot flashes, mood changes and night sweats. It’s very very important to underline that this stage of menopause can last for a very long time (up to 15 years). But the majority of female experience around 2 – 5 years of perimenopause before moving on to menopause.
Reasons of Depression in Menopausal female
When many female start to experience menopause or perimenopause they will undergo so many complex changes that depression for some of them is a furstrating symptom. There are many varyent reasons that depression is prevalent in menopausal female. It depends on the circumstance the reasons may vary for varyent female.
During menopause female experience many side effects and symptoms such as night sweats, hot flashes and irritability. In addition, they are dealing with the added stress of changes in their bodies that they cannot control. All of these changes can cause depression in menopausal female.
Hormone fluctuations in menopausal female are a organic process of menopause. As a woman starts the first stage of menopause levels of estrogen, progesterone and androgen are in a constant state of upheaval. Estrogen is the main hormone that is in constant change due to menopause. When estrogen plummets, many female feel strong and uncontrollable feelings of despair and hopelessness.
This is frequently attributed to a main cause of depression.
Risks of Developing Depression
It’s very importnat to underline that the risks of developing depression during menopause are higher for some female than for others. For instance, if you have a history of mood disorders in your family or have been diagnosed with a mood disorder yourself, your risk of experiencing depression during menopause is greater than of a woman that has none of these predisposing issues.
If you feel depressed, hopeless or suicidal during the onset of menopause, then you should immediately talk to your gynecologist first. Your doctor will refer you to the correct professionals to help you with these frustrating feelings. You may discover comfort in just knowing that this is a organic and normal part of menopause. Moreover, it is helpful to know that depression is a symptom of menopause that is not in your control and you should have the necessary help of professionals to adjust to the changes in your life.

So what’s going on? Why do women seem so much more vulnerable to the detripsychological

