Depression among Women in Menopause

Abstract

Depression is more common in women while at the time of menopause the transition may be a certain risk. Declining estrogen levels are associated with hot flashy menopause. Some women feel constant state of PMS (premenstrual syndrome). General symptoms of depression and anxiety with mood disturbance are common during menopause transition. The symptoms are more severe with sleep disturbance, vasomotor and the following surgical menopause. Developing of stressed and depressed mood is up to three times more likely that of women in premenopausal period. There is a greater likelihood for those women who have history of depressive illness. There are different presentations of depression in menopause as it appears unique with low level depressive symptoms, fatigue, anger and increased sleep disturbance. These symptoms are non-specific somatic and makes the diagnosis more difficult particular overshadow the cognitive specific ones. Women are present with depressive symptoms and mood changes but generally not meet the DSM5 criteria of diagnosis [1].