Menopause and Depression: The Connection

Posted by on September 3rd, 2007 at 07:26pm

Numerous studies all around the world have interestingly found out that women are more prone to depression than men. Depressed women are more in number especially on middle to late-aged women. Many experts and scientists believe that menopause and depression are interrelated. That interrelation between the two conditions are said to be the culprit why more women are afflicted with clinical depression more than men are.

There is a clear connection between menopause and depression. Depression is a usual manifestation and symptom of menopause in women. It is because female hormones in women depletes in production as women gets old. Technically, depression is said to be occurring in menopausal women because they are feeling restless and insecure that society would look at them as lesser individuals because of old age. Generally, menopausal women feel that they are inferior and less attractive to the opposite sex, a feeling that is obvious and is founded by clear and apparent obviousness.

Basically, experts assert that menopause and depressions are almost always occurring together. Menopause would not occur without depression. It is said that depression is a by-product of the hormonal changes among menopausal women. Estrogen and androgen are female hormones that almost always prompt mood and behavioral changes among patients.

Depression during menopausal period is characterized by the following manifestations: disinterest in pleasurable tasks and activities, loss of appetite, changing sleeping patterns, depressed moods, fatigue, loss of focus, guilt feeling, restlessness and irritability. At its worst, patients also encounter thoughts of suicide. That way, such women must be subjected to appropriate assistance from experts and professionals abruptly.

To relieve such depressions among menopausal women, the patient must be subjected to different types of therapies. Hormone replacement therapy is needed so that levels of female hormones in the body would be regulated and normalized, helping improve moods and thoughts. Psychotherapy for depression is also needed especially for severe depression cases, when the patient is on the verge of suicide.

As a preventive measure, all women nearing menopausal period are advised to take life easily and positively. It would help a lot if such women would not feel insecure and depressed about their age and physical features. As for people around such women, proper understanding, patience and of course, moral support is needed. Menopause and depression should be overcome by all aging women before matters and situations get worse over time.

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