Menopause and Depression

Menopause and depression are felt around the same time by some women. Experts identified menopause as the cause and depression as the effect. The reduction in estrogen hormone levels in women during menopause are said to have influenced the occurrence of depression. However other behavioral problems may have possibly triggered the onset of depression. Such behavior tendencies could be menopausal symptoms themselves like mood swings, irritability, anxiety, sleeplessness, decrease in energy, and fatigue. A negative outlook on menopause and depression is not a far possibility. A woman who view menopause as a long and painful aging process can actually feel depressed over time. The thought of losing her youthfulness and beauty to wrinkles and memory loss can cause her to be melancholic.

However, not all women have to go through menopause and depression like one is a pre-requisite of the other. While menopause is a natural occurrence to all females, depression is not. A woman’s attitude and lifestyle before the onset of menopause can greatly influence the occurrence of menopause and depression on the actual menopause phase in her life. If a woman is outgoing, lives a healthy lifestyle, and has a generally positive stand in life, menopause wouldn’t be as complex as everyone thinks it to be.

If by any chance you are feeling gloomy during the stages of menopause simply because you think you’re aging or that you feel so undesirable, there are a number of ways to help you overcome these feelings. These are:

Take medications

Antidepressants are available as treatment for women suffering from moderate to severe depression. However, it is highly advised that a health care practitioner be consulted before any medication is taken in.

Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy and Herbal Alternatives

HRT, as with the natural alternative treatments, have never really proven that they are perfectly effective as antidepressant. The studies on these have not gathered enough evidences to establish its effectiveness and safety.

Get Therapy

Health care professionals like psychologist, psychiatrist, clinical nurse, or social worker should be consulted especially in persistent menopause and depression problems.

Get Support

Symptoms of menopause and depression are only two of the most discussed issues in menopause support groups. Joining a group will make you realize that you are not alone in what you feel.

Menopause and depression should not necessarily go hand in hand. You can unbind their ties by being more accepting of menopause and treating it as an exciting phase in your adult life. Only then, can one truly conquer depression.

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