Menopause and Mental Health

Last Updated: May 1, 2003

A popular myth pictures the menopausal woman constantly shifting her moods, ranging from anger to depression. However, a study by psychologists at the University of Pittsburgh suggests that menopause does not cause unpredictable mood swings, depression or even stress in most women.

In fact, it may even improve mental health for some. This gives further support to the idea that menopause is not necessarily a negative experience. The Pittsburgh study looked at three different groups of women: menstruating, menopausal with no treatment, and menopausal on hormone therapy.

Research results
The study showed that the menopausal women suffered no more anxiety, depression, anger, nervousness or feelings of stress than the group of menstruating women in the same age range. In addition, although more hot flashes were reported by the menopausal women not taking hormones, surprisingly they had better overall mental health than the other two groups. The women taking hormones worried more about their bodies and were somewhat more depressed.

However, this could be caused by the hormones themselves. It’s also possible that women who voluntarily take hormones tend to be more conscious of their bodies in the first place. The researchers caution that their study includes only healthy women, so results may apply only to them. Other studies show that women already taking hormones who are experiencing mood or behavioral problems sometimes respond well to a change in dosage or type of estrogen.

Studies indicate that women of childbearing age, particularly those with young children at home, tend to report more emotional problems than women of other ages.

The Pittsburgh findings are supported by a New England Research Institute study which found that menopausal women were no more depressed than the general population: about 10% are occasionally depressed and 5% are persistently depressed. The exception is women who undergo surgical menopause. Their depression rate is reportedly double that of women who have a natural menopause.

Life changes play a role
Studies also have indicated that many cases of depression relate more to life stresses or “mid-life crises” than to menopause. A woman's experiences during menopause may also be influenced by other life changes:
- Children leaving home
- Changes in domestic, social, and personal relationships
- Changes in identity and body image
- Divorce or widowhood
- Retirement
- Increased anxiety about illness, aging, and death
- Loss of friends, loved ones, and financial security
- Increased responsibility for aging parents
- Anxiety about loss of independence, disability or loneliness

Menopause and women who have a history of depression
Research has shown that women with a history of depression are at a greater risk of relapsing during perimenopause. Also, studies indicate that depressed women begin perimenopause earlier than non-depressed women.

What can help alleviate psychological problems (anxiety, irritability, depression):
- Communicate openly with your partner about your symptoms and ask for support.
- Join or even start a support group specific to menopause or other life changes you are experiencing.
- Find and share support with colleagues at work who are going through the same thing.
- Seek counseling.
- Medication such as tranquilizers and antidepressants may help.
- Identify which sources of stress you can eliminate from your life.



Source: National Institutes of Health

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