Menopause and depression: Exploring the connection
Mood changes in menopause are relatively common, but that doesn’t mean that you should just accept them as part of the course. In fact, seeking early help in dealing with menopause irritability, anxiety and low mood can help to prevent the development of depression.
In this article, we explore the link between menopause and depression and explore how to overcome menopause depression by seeking early intervention and treatment with a healthcare professional.
Can menopause cause depression and anxiety?
Although increased bouts of low mood and anxiety are common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause for many women, if you experience depression, it’s important that you seek help.
Depression is a serious condition where periods of low mood and a loss of interest in your usual activities persist for prolonged periods and have a profound effect on your day-to-day life.
Depression isn’t just a ‘normal part’ of menopause. However, fluctuating hormone levels, lack of sleep and other menopause symptoms can all contribute to menopausal irritability and anxiety, which can increase your chances of depression. It’s important to speak to a healthcare professional about managing menopause mood changes as it can play a vital role in helping prevent or treat depression.
How does menopause contribute to depression?
Although menopause itself does not cause depression, many of the symptoms of menopause can play a role in increasing the likelihood of experiencing the condition. The reasons for this are complex and can be attributed to:
Hormonal fluctuations
The hormones responsible for controlling a woman’s menstrual cycle, oestrogen and progesterone, also influence serotonin levels. Serotonin is a brain chemical that promotes feelings of happiness.
When oestrogen and progesterone levels drop during perimenopause, so do serotonin levels, and this can contribute to increased bouts of low mood, irritability, sadness and anxiety. As a result, many women feel less able to cope with things that wouldn’t normally affect them throughout perimenopause.
If not addressed, these feelings can build up and become overwhelming, which can lead to depression. That’s why it’s so important to speak to a healthcare professional if you notice you are feeling more overwhelmed or upset than normal. They may be able to offer menopause treatment options, like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or cognitive behaviour therapy, that help manage your menopause symptoms and reduce your risk of developing depression.
Sleep problems
Sleep is essential for the normal function of our bodies, and not getting enough or having frequently disturbed sleep can affect everything from our immune health to our mental wellbeing.
During perimenopause, it is not unusual to have trouble sleeping. Many women find that hot flushes or night sweats mean that the sleep they do get is frequently disturbed, while others find getting to or staying asleep difficult due to fluctuating hormone levels.
Whatever the reason, poor sleep can increase your risk of developing depression, so seeking help early is key to preventing more serious problems from developing.
Learn more about the link between menopause and insomnia .
Lifestyle events
Many women experience perimenopause in their 40s , a time that can also be filled with significant lifestyle events that make managing symptoms feel even harder.
Common stressors that can contribute to low mood during this time include:
- Ageing parents becoming more reliant on them for support
- Health issues
- Career pressures
- Worries about children
Physical changes
Many women also experience physical changes during the menopause, like thinning hair, skin changes and vaginal dryness that can cause a loss of confidence or self-esteem. This can contribute to feelings of low mood and depression.
How to overcome menopause depression
If the symptoms of menopause are causing you to feel increasing bouts of low mood, irritability, or anxiety, it’s important to speak to a healthcare professional. They will be able to offer advice and potential treatment options to help you overcome and manage your feelings and prevent menopausal depression.
Common treatments that can help menopause mood changes include:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – can help ease fluctuating hormone levels and stabilise mood changes
- Cognitive behaviour therapy – can help you learn how to manage menopause irritability and low mood
- Counselling – having someone non-judgemental to talk to about your feelings can help reduce overwhelm, especially when dealing with lots of lifestyle factors too
- Mindfulness practices – like yoga, breathwork and journaling can help you to focus on the present and make things seem more manageable.
Check your hormone health today
If you are experiencing symptoms you believe may be related to menopause or perimenopause and want to know more about your hormone health, why not book a private Advanced Menopause Profile blood test?
At Bluecrest Wellness, our complete female hormone package provides insights into five key female hormones as well as a private GP consultation to discuss your symptoms to help determine if you are experiencing menopause. It can also help you plan and adjust treatment options like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to your bespoke needs.
We offer appointments across the UK, so you can book a private hormone profile blood test at a time and location to suit you. Plus, you can be confident that we will deliver fast, efficient and accurate results as we have established links with leading UK laboratories and are fully accredited for a wide range of private blood checks.
