Study: Menopause Increases Risk of Depression

Surprising new research suggests that both perimenopause and menopause can increase the risk of depression - even in women with no prior history of this condition. Here's what you need you need to know –

by Colette Bouchez

There’s no question that the symptoms we experience during perimenopause, and for some of us even after menopause, are no day at the beach.

From hot flashes and night sweats, to mood swings, forgetfulness, joint aches and pains - even fatigue - coping with symptoms of the “change” is enough to keep any woman in a bad mood for a decade or longer.

But now research shows your mood during this time of life may be more than just "menopause madness". One new observation study has found that women going through perimenopause and menopause have an increased risk of developing true clinical depression.

“ The majority of women do not devel­op depression during the menopause transition nonetheless, four commu­nity-based studies have documented that some women are at an increased risk” says Veronica Harsh, MD, lead author of the new research published in the latest issue of the journal Menopause Medicine.

The finding of the new study was basd on data taken from The Harvard Study of Moods and Cycles, The Penn Ovar­ian Aging Study, and The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Each was a community based study that found women who have major depression during midlife do not necessarily have a prior history of this condition.

Experts say these observations are definitely contrary to long held beliefs – and somewhat of a surprise.

“Many of us expected the latest observational studies to show that women with prior hormone-related depression would com­prise the chief risk pool for perimenopausal and menopausal depression. Instead, observational studies suggest a complex picture [indicating] that many of the women who have major depression do not have a prior history,” says Nanette Santoro, MD, Director, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, and editor of the journal where the new research was published.

That said, Harsh emphasizes that some past health and lifestyle histories still matter. Among the criteria the study found as increasing the risk for midlife depression include a longer duration of cycle irregularity, a past history of premenstrual depression ( PMD) or post partum depression (PPD), stressful life circumstances, a history of smoking, disturbed sleep, reduce fertility, and being without a partner.

Midlife Depression: Checking For The Signs.
While it’s one thing to say a woman may be at higher risk for depression during midlife, it’s quite another to weed out who is really affected. One reason is that so many of the symptoms overlap with those of menopause.

In fact, experts say that it can be all too easy for both doctors and women to write off how they feel as “menopause madness” – without even considering the possibility that something else may be going on.

In fact, Santoro writes that doctors need to look past the usual complaints women talk about in midlife, to see if indeed, there are other clinical issues that need attention. Women, ,meanwhile can also benefit by becoming aware of the signs of depression, and how to seperate them from what occurs naturally in the years leading up to menopause.

According to the new research, signs women need to watch for include:

· Feelings of sadness that last most of the day.
· Diminished interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
· Significant weight loss or weight gain without changes in diet or exercise
· Insomnia- or sleep too much .
· Significant fatigue and loss of energy.
· Diminished ability to concentrate
· Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt.
· Recurrent thoughts of death or considering suicide as an alternative.


The Danger of Over Diagnosis
Certainly, if you are having any of these symptoms, it’s important to bring them to your doctor’s attention. And if your doctor agrees that your symptoms may be linked to depression, it’s important to consider treatment options – particularly since easing your depression may make the true symptoms of menopause seem less troublesome.

That’s said, my personal opinion is that too often women are victimized by what I call “anti depressant mania” – the over prescribing of anti-depressant medications in situations where they might not be necessary. Indeed, there are some doctors who right now are prescribing anti depressants as a way of coping with menopause symptoms – even when depression is not part of the clinical picture.

Clearly, there are some women who will benefit from these drugs. But it’s also important to remember that many will also benefit from changes in diet and an increase in physical activity – with studies to show that for some, these interventions will work as well or even better than drugs.

The point is, that first both you and your doctor should be aware that depression might be behind some of what you are feeling in your middle years. But more importantlly if this does turn out to be the case, then be sure to sure to discuss all your treatment options – which include not only anti depressant medication, diet, and exercise, but also talk therapy.

Because the truth is, sometimes just having someone to complain to about those hot flashes and night sweats, can make all the difference in the menopause world! :)

You might also be interested in reading:
Sex and The City And Menopause
The Hot Flash Solution
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