Harvard Health. Menopause and insomnia: could a low GI diet help? Depression symptoms. Herson M, Kulkarni J. Hormonal agents for the treatment of depression associated with the menopause.

Drugs Aging. Dwyer JB, Aftab A, Radhakrishnan R, et al. Hormonal Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder: State of the Art. Am J Psychiatry. Zhao JL, Jiang WT, Wang X, Cai ZD, Liu ZH, Liu GR. Exercise, brain plasticity, and depression. CNS Neurosci Ther. She specializes in a variety of health topics including mental health, dementia, celiac disease, and endometriosis.

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The Link. When to Seek Care. What Is Perimenopause? Menopause, Depression, and Black Women The heightened risk for depression during menopause is even greater for Black women, who are more likely than White women to experience more than seven recurrent episodes of depression and less likely to receive treatment for depression.

Depression and Age of Menopause Onset Black women are more likely than White women to undergo surgical menopause and, as such, are less likely to undergo natural menopause. The Link Between Sleep and Depression. Black Women Experience More Depressive Symptoms During Menopause Black women experience elevated depressive symptoms during menopause.

Disparities in Depression Treatment According to the SWAN study, Black women are less likely than White women to be treated for depression related to menopause.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

See Our Editorial Process. Meet Our Medical Expert Board. Share Feedback. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! With the onset of new tensions, recognizing a problem can lead to understanding its causes and developing new coping mechanisms.

Keeping a balance between self, family, friends, and work allows women to meet new challenges and maintain self-confidence. Evaluate levels of depression: Women who have previously been diagnosed with depression when they were younger are vulnerable to recurrent depression during perimenopause.

Women suffering from depression which is associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain report symptoms of prolonged tiredness, loss of interest in normal activities, weight loss, sadness, or irritability.

Treatments range from prescription medications to talk therapy for various levels of depression. Assess anxiety level: Physical and psychological changes as well as other midlife stressors can result in increased anxiety.

Feelings of anticipation, dread, or fear are common and usually resolve without treatment. Frequent episodes of anxiety may be a warning sign of panic disorder. Sometimes the unsettling feelings that precede a hot flash can mimic or trigger such an attack.

Mind your memory: Many perimenopausal women report difficulty concentrating or short-term memory problems. These difficulties often frighten women, who may think they have early symptoms of Alzheimer disease.

While this is rarely the case, studies suggest that remaining physically, socially, and mentally active may help prevent memory loss. Seek support: Don't try to diagnose and treat yourself; you shouldn't feel embarrassed about reaching out for help. Although most people will experience these symptoms from time to time, they have to last for more than 2 weeks to suggest major depression.

Signs of Major Depression If you have been experiencing some of these signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks, you may be experiencing major depression and should see a healthcare provider. Copyright© Home Privacy Policy Site Map. Email to a Friend.

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Naomi Tomoyasu, Ph. Anita Everett, M. Yngvild K. Olsen, M. Keep reading to learn more about the link between menopause and depression and the treatment options available. The symptoms can include:.

There are several types of depression. The medical name for one of the most common is major depressive disorder MDD.

According to the review , people going through menopause appear to be more likely to develop MDD. Not all of the studies that the authors looked at found an association. However, two well-designed studies indicated that the risk of developing a depressive disorder might be two to five times higher during perimenopause compared with the late premenopausal years.

Researchers are not certain why depression is more common during perimenopause, but several factors may contribute. Estrogen and progesterone may rise and fall while they decline overall.

These hormonal changes may affect brain chemistry, structure, and function. Estrogen enhances the effect of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine.

These neurotransmitters help regulate mood. When estrogen levels decline, it may affect the balance of these chemicals. Some people may be especially susceptible to hormone-related mood changes. A study reports that clinical depression during perimenopause may be more common in people with:.

However, the authors of the study emphasize that the risk of depression is higher in all people going through perimenopause, regardless of their personal or family history. The psychological and social impact of menopause may also affect mental health.

Although some people feel that menopause and aging can be positive, others may feel as though:. While some cultures value youth highly, others value age and experience.

A review notes that people from cultures that revere older age report fewer menopause symptoms, which may suggest that social norms can contribute to how the transition affects people. Gender roles and expectations may also influence how people experience menopause. Despite an increasing number of women entering the workforce, in heterosexual relationships, women still do the most child care and household labor overall.

Managing these responsibilities, as well as menopause symptoms, may cause stress. Women are also more likely than men to have roles as caregivers, although this role can change around midlife. Children can leave home, and older relatives may begin to need care due to illness or disability.

Either of these events may contribute to stress or depression. Treatment for depression often involves a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy.

Doctors may suggest selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs for menopause-related mood changes. These medications change neurotransmitter levels and may reduce the symptoms of depression. They may also make someone feel well enough to begin psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy may help with identifying the factors contributing to depression, such as life events or stress. A therapist can help someone understand and manage their emotions.

A study notes that the Food and Drug Administration FDA has not approved estrogen therapy to treat perimenopausal depression. However, this therapy may help reduce hot flashes , sleep disturbances, and other symptoms that can affect mood.

Learn more about hormone therapy for menopause. There is little research on complementary therapies specifically for depression that occurs during perimenopause. However, steps that people can take to help with depression, menopause symptoms, or both include:.

It is important to speak with a healthcare professional about symptoms that could indicate depression. Depression is not an expected part of menopause or aging, and effective treatments are available. Anyone experiencing it at this life stage should reach out to a doctor or therapist who understands menopause and its potential effects on mental health.

A person should contact a doctor or mental health professional immediately if they are considering self-harm or suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial then Find more links and local resources.

Studies link perimenopause and depression, but the nature of the connection is not clear. Scientists believe that people may be more vulnerable to depression during this time as a result of hormonal fluctuations.

The risk of depression appears to return to normal 2—4 years after the last menstrual period. Several treatments are available to manage the symptoms and alleviate stress. This article looks at the connection between menopause and anxiety, including panic attacks.