Depression During Menopause

Many women pass through menopause without any emotional changes at every one of. Some women experience a sense of prominence or even elation at the starting a freedom that menopause presents: freedom from pregnancy and monthly menses. For others though, menopause is associated by symptoms that are similar to the emotional changes seen previous to their menstrual cycle: fatigue, inability to sleep, nervousness, irritability, or mild depression. These symptoms are resembling to those of PMS. The emotional changes seen in menopause are repeatedly associated with hot flashes and indisposition to sleep (an interruption of REM sleep).

The reach the of of women afflicted with depression for the time of the menopausal years is not greater amount of than the 8 to 10 percent force that is seen throughout the reproductive years. Two groups of women are at increased peril: those experiencing surgical menopause (surgical ejection of the ovaries) and those by a previous history of depression. In surgical menopause, the quick drop in the level of as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but estrogen and androgen (male hormone) is associated with a greater incidence of emotional changes and indentation.

Stressful events are also known to trigger emotional changes and dejectedness. Stressful life events coincide with menopause, which may make it harder to end the cause of the mood changes. Family or work situations may fuel fatigue, sadness, or dejected energy level, all of which are symptoms that may have existence profound in a clinical depression. When a woman has every underlying depression, the low levels of estrogen seen in menopause, or perimenopause, may lay stress upon the depression.

Many women require t any treatment for symptoms associated with menopause. Others fancy to try dietary changes (phytoestrogens), activity and psychotherapy before considering a aim of medication. Helpful medications include estrogen, what one alleviates hot flashes and therefore helps further restful sleep. Some women feel upper hand on estrogen even if they are not endurance from hot flashes. Women who be the subject of undergone surgical menopause may benefit from the adding of testosterone (androgen) if they sustain significant emotional symptoms that are not relieved the agency of estrogen alone. In certain cases, antidepressant medication, of the like kind as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, or cyclic antidepressants, is warranted. These medications subdue the uptake of brain neurotransmitters linked to clinical excavation.

I hope this gives you more insight into the emotional changes that occur for the period of menopause. Is it wise to have lodgings the antidepressants and see how she does without ceasing the hormones alone? No. Treating her depression is crucial and continuing the antidepressants is appropriate. When she feels well, it may be possible to taper her off the antidepressants. But in like manner then, it should only be granted with the support and guidance of her psychiatrist. I faith she feels better soon.