Menopause is the biological process in which a woman’s menstrual cycle gradually becomes irregular and stops after a certain point. This process usually starts at the age of 49 to 52 when the ovaries reduce the production of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones regulate the menstrual cycle. This change in hormone levels can affect women’s health and causes mood swings, vaginal dryness, and depression. There are four stages of this process such as pre menopause, perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause.
Researchers from University College London (UCL) have revealed that women who are going through perimenopause are 40% more prone to be depressed as compared to those who are not experiencing any menopausal symptoms. This study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders and studied the data of seven studies. Researchers focused on 9,941 women from Australia, China, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. They wanted to understand whether the four stages of menopause are associated with the risk of depression.
Perimenopause usually starts 3 to 5 years before menopause. During this stage, the level of estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate. This causes mood swings and irregular menstrual cycles. It also increases the risk of other menopausal symptoms like depression.
When researchers observed the collected data, they found that women who were going through perimenopause had a 40% higher risk of depression and sadness than women who were going through premenopause. They also found that women who had gone through menopause had no risk of depression. These participants were asked whether they had a lack of interest, issues with sleep, and mood swings by using an internationally recognized self-report instrument.
Researchers have published another study that revealed that mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy can be used to treat this non-physical symptom of menopause.
As this study shows perimenopause can increase the risk of depression by 40%, healthcare professionals need to make some effective strategies that will reduce it. This research also had some limitations, such as the criteria used to classify the menopausal stages and depression levels. So, researchers think that there is a need for further research.
Reference Link:
Yasmeen Badawy et al, The risk of depression in the menopausal stages: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Journal of Affective Disorders (2024).
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.041.
